How to Pay Less for D3 Tuition
Part 2 of our state-by-state D3 financial aid series covers Indiana through Massachusetts
👋 Welcome Back to the D3Direct Newsletter, your go-to source for reliable D3 college recruiting & admissions information.
Our mission: Help prospective college athletes pay less and get a great education while playing their sport at an NCAA D3 school.
By now, everyone should know that D3 schools cannot offer athletic scholarships, but this doesn’t mean that getting a great education has to be expensive.
Every week in our D3 financial aid state-by-state series, we’ll help you understand your options at the D3 level by highlighting:
One of each state’s best financial aid resources
One Division III institution with an outstanding financial aid program
We’ll do the remaining states over the next few weeks (all 34 w/ a D3 school, plus D.C.)
Here are some helpful college scholarship and financial aid definitions
Today we’re covering Indiana through Massachusetts.
Indiana
State Financial Aid Resource
21st Century Scholars Program
Indiana’s flagship college promise program helps eligible low-income recruits earn up to four years of tuition at participating Indiana colleges. There are some top-notch D3 schools in Indiana - including Wabash which we covered when we first ran this series in 2023 (see below for link).
Students must enroll in middle school and complete required Scholar Success activities throughout high school.
D3 Financial Aid Spotlight: DePauw University
DePauw is committed to making a private education more affordable through generous merit scholarships and need-based grants.
Students are automatically considered for many merit awards during the admissions process, and families can estimate their actual cost using DePauw’s Net Price Calculator before applying.
See our profile of Wabash College from the 2023 edition.
Iowa
State Financial Aid Resource
Robert D. Blue Scholarship
Open to Iowa students who demonstrate strong academics, leadership, and character.
Awards are distributed annually to students attending Iowa colleges and universities.
D3 Financial Aid Spotlight: Grinnell College
Grinnell consistently ranks among the most generous financial aid colleges in the country.
Highlights include:
Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
The Iowa Access Initiative provides free tuition for qualifying Iowa families earning up to approximately $100,000 annually
No-loan philosophy for many lower-income families
See our profile of Coe College from the 2023 edition.
Kentucky
State Financial Aid Resource
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
Kentucky students earn scholarship dollars based on high school GPA and can increase their awards through ACT or SAT scores.
It’s one of the country’s best merit-based state scholarship programs, and although the dollar amounts are not massive, it is very clearly laid out.
You can find more info about KEES here.
D3 Financial Aid Spotlight: Berea College
Berea College remains one of the most unique colleges in America. Here’s why.
Every admitted student receives the Tuition Promise Scholarship, covering 100% of tuition.
Students also:
Work on campus through Berea’s labor program
Receive a laptop
May qualify for additional assistance with housing and meals
Learn how Berea College is an outlier in higher-ed in this video from PBS.
Louisiana
State Financial Aid Resources
Louisiana high school athletics recruits should look at:
TOPS (Tuition Opportunity Program for Students) (TOPS website)
GO Grant for students demonstrating financial need
Both begin with completing the FAFSA.
D3 Financial Aid Spotlight: Centenary College
As Louisiana’s only NCAA Division III college, Centenary automatically considers every admitted student for academic merit scholarships.
Students with strong grades and challenging coursework often receive substantial institutional aid.
Maine
State Financial Aid Resource
Maine State Grant
This need-based grant helps eligible Maine residents pay for college.
Eligibility begins with completing the FAFSA.
D3 Financial Aid Spotlight: Bowdoin College
Bowdoin has long been recognized as one of the nation’s leaders in financial aid.
Highlights include:
Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
No-loan financial aid policy
Need-blind admissions for domestic applicants
Want to learn more about Bowdoin? Check out our reviews of their athletic facilities and their dining hall in our Top 25 rankings.
Maryland
State Financial Aid Resource
Maryland Senatorial Scholarship
Maryland residents should apply through their local State Senator’s office.
Award amounts vary, and deadlines often arrive early in senior year.
D3 Financial Aid Spotlight: Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins has significantly expanded its financial aid in recent years.
Highlights include:
Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
Families earning up to $200,000 may qualify for free tuition under the university’s expanded aid initiative (depending on assets and financial circumstances).
Need-blind admissions for domestic applicants
Massachusetts
State Financial Aid Resource
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Massachusetts students who meet state academic benchmarks may receive a tuition credit at participating Massachusetts public colleges and universities.
While it doesn’t cover all college costs, it’s an excellent way to reduce tuition.
D3 Financial Aid Spotlight: MIT
MIT’s financial aid program is setting the national standard.
Beginning with recent admissions cycles:
Families earning up to $200,000 with typical assets may qualify for free tuition
Many lower-income families receive packages covering tuition, housing, meals, and other expenses
MIT meets 100% of demonstrated financial need
See why we ranked MIT #3 amongst all D3 schools (full ranking)
3 Ways to Lower Your Cost of Attendance
✅ Complete the FAFSA as soon as it opens (usually October 1st every year)
✅ Run each school’s Net Price Calculator before crossing it off your list.
✅ Ask every D3 college admissions office:
“Are there additional scholarships or grants I should apply for?”
You might be surprised how much money is available from D3 financial aid and merit scholarships or what you may qualify for based on your grades or family situation in need-based aid.
Next Week
We’ll continue our D3 financial aid series with Michigan through New Jersey, featuring more state aid programs and Division III colleges helping families reduce the cost of college.
Plus more scholarships on Sunday!
In the meantime, study up with an episode of the Student Athlete Sessions podcast.