Athletic scholarship at NAIA school canceled my need-based aid - SAI 2911, but aid package doubled our EFC!

Happened to my daughter last year! It's all about the packaging. Schools have specific budgets for each type of aid and they can absolutely swap them around however they want. If the bottom line number is the same, they think it's ok to call it different things.

This is actually a complex situation that involves NAIA rules more than FAFSA rules. NAIA has specific regulations about stacking athletic scholarships with other institutional aid. Many schools have policies that prevent "double-dipping" between athletic scholarships and institutional need-based grants, even though federal aid like Pell Grants are completely separate. What you need to do: 1. Pull out that written confirmation immediately 2. Request a meeting with both the financial aid director AND athletic director together (not separately) 3. Ask them to specifically cite their institutional policy on aid stacking 4. Reference NAIA bylaw 5.01.D that allows schools to determine their own stacking policies You have leverage with that written confirmation. They can't just change the terms after your son declined other offers.

omg these schools r the WORST. my brother went thru same thing last yr with a D3 school. they straight up lied to him then changed everything last minute. its how they trick athletes. these coaches know EXACTLY what theyre doing

I'd be LIVID!!! This is blatant manipulation and they're counting on you being too intimidated to fight back. You need to escalate this to the provost or even president of the college. Don't back down when your son's future is at stake. They're hoping you'll just accept it because other options are gone. I'd threaten to contact local media about their recruiting practices. Schools HATE negative publicity about financial aid issues!!

This situation happens frequently with athletic scholarships. The key issue here is that while your SAI determines your federal aid eligibility (like your Pell Grant), institutions have their own formulas for distributing their need-based grants. Many schools have policies that athletic scholarships replace, not supplement, institutional need-based aid. The critical factor in your case is that written confirmation. Without that, you'd have little recourse since most financial aid offers state they're subject to change. But with written documentation stating athletics wouldn't affect need-based aid, you have a strong case. I suggest: 1. Email the financial aid director, athletic director, and admissions director (cc all three) 2. Attach the written confirmation 3. Politely explain your understanding of the agreement 4. Request the original aid package be honored based on this documentation If that doesn't work, try reaching out to Federal Student Aid to discuss if this could constitute a violation of financial aid practices, though this might be challenging. You can call them at 1-800-433-3243, but wait times can be extremely long.

i had a similar problem like 2 years ago. my kid got a soccer scholarship but they did keep need aid too. maybe its different at each school?? have u checked the financial aid policy on their website? sometimes they hide stuff in the fine print about "total aid packages" and maximums

Based on your update with the written confirmation, you actually have a really strong case. Print out copies of: 1. The original aid estimate 2. The written confirmation about stacking aid 3. Your FAFSA SAI showing it decreased (which should have increased need-based aid, not eliminated it) 4. The revised offer What you're describing is potentially a violation of truth-in-lending principles. If a school explicitly confirmed in writing that certain types of aid would stack, and then reversed that position after you declined other offers, they've essentially engaged in a bait-and-switch tactic. Request an in-person meeting, not just a phone call. Be firm but professional. Make it clear that you made financial decisions based on their written assurances.

Update: So what happened?? Did the school fix the scholarship or are you stuck with the higher amount?

That's fantastic news! So glad you fought for what was rightfully yours and that the school honored their written commitment. This is such a great example of why it's crucial to get everything in writing when dealing with financial aid - and why parents shouldn't back down when schools try to pull a bait-and-switch after commitment deadlines. Your persistence paid off and hopefully this helps other families in similar situations know they have recourse when schools don't honor their written agreements. Congrats to your son!