How to Get the Most Football Scholarship Money
Getting a football scholarship offer is exciting—but accepting it without asking the right questions could mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table. In this blog post, we’ll break down a proven 7-step strategy used by athletes like Cooper King, who negotiated his offer from 50% to 92% by following this exact process.
Step 1: Understand the Entire Offer
A scholarship offer isn’t always a full ride. Especially at the D2 or NAIA level, offers are often partial. Ask what’s included—tuition, room, board, books—and find out how much time you have to decide and whether there's potential for an increase.
Step 2: Gauge the Coach’s Interest
The more a coach wants your son, the more flexible they may be with scholarship money. Build relationships early—starting as a freshman or sophomore—to increase leverage and take advantage of the bigger budgets available early in the process.
Step 3: Leverage Scholarship Stacking
Stack athletic scholarships with academic, need-based, institutional, and external aid. This tactic helped Cooper King jump from 50% to 92%. Work closely with both the coach and the financial aid department to identify every opportunity.
Step 4: Highlight Your Value
Show the coach what makes your son a must-have—leadership, stats, grades, and character. If your son has other offers, mention them. Competing offers increase your negotiating power.
Step 5: Ask and Negotiate with Confidence
Have the scholarship conversation in person or over the phone—not via text. Be clear about what you’re hoping for and ask if there’s room to improve the financial package. Avoid ultimatums—this should feel like a partnership.
Step 6: Evaluate and Compare
Sometimes, the better program offers less money. Create a side-by-side chart to weigh academics, culture, playing opportunity, and long-term potential—not just dollar amounts.
Step 7: Be Ready to Say Yes (or Walk Away)
Know your threshold. If an offer crosses that line, be ready to commit. If it doesn’t, be prepared to walk away. Either way, stay respectful and keep the door open for future conversations.
Final Thoughts
Approach every negotiation with professionalism and gratitude. Coaches are more willing to work with families who are respectful and clear about what they want. Want a step-by-step guide and scholarship stacking chart? Download it free using the link in the video description.
And if you’re struggling to get responses from coaches, make sure to check out the next video on how to follow up when you’ve been ghosted.
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Richie's mentorship program provides access to the entire Next Play® protocol for earning a football scholarship, complete with mentorship, coaching, and accountability for your son, thereby ensuring he develops into an elite communicator, leader, and businessman, and ultimately earns a full-ride scholarship.
