Despite the assumption colleges completely provide for everything full scholarship student-athletes need, an athlete advocacy group is voicing concerns regarding the costs these students must foot themselves.
According to the National College Players Association (NCPA), Miami University ranked eighth of 336 colleges for out-of-pocket expenses for full scholarship student-athletes.
The study can be found on the NCPA Web site at ncpanow.articulatedman.com. The NCPA asserts "universities have been deceiving recruits, many of whom are under the age of 18 and from disadvantaged backgrounds, into unknowingly being responsible for paying thousands of dollars while on 'full' athletic scholarship."
According to the report published by the NCPA, Miami student-athletes on a full scholarship can expect a scholarship shortfall of $5,098 per year, adding up to $20,392 during four years of play.
The report stated the "scholarship shortfall is an objective estimate of the expenses an athlete on full scholarship should anticipate and expect to pay."
Ken Peters, assistant athletic director, said Miami provides for most of the basic necessities of full scholarship student-athletes.
"Room and board, books, tuition, equipment; just about everything related to the university is paid for," Peters said.
As for the extra expenditures the athletes have, Peters said these are expenses related to leisure and recreational activities.
"I would assume that these costs would be for entertainment and activities unrelated to school," Peters said.
Miami first-year and tennis player Stephanie Danesis receives a full scholarship from the university and was surprised with Miami's ranking in the National College Players Association's report.
"That's terrible," Danesis said.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Danesis said while she receives funding for virtually all school-related expenses, she must spend her own money for anything above and beyond the basic coverage she receives from the scholarship.
Even when she routinely missed eating breakfast, Danesis said her included meal plan was not sufficient to last the entire semester.
"I had the lowest Diplomat plan last semester," Danesis said. "I ran out before the semester was over and had to add my own money to it."
According to Danesis, she would also be required to pay out of pocket if she chooses a different housing arrangement than an on-campus residence hall double room.
"If I wanted a single room, I would have to pay extra," Danesis said. "Also if I wanted to live off campus, it wouldn't be paid for until senior year."
Regardless of the various supplementary expenses, Danesis said the scholarship provides the essentials necessary for student-athletes to attend school and participate in their sports.
Reiterating Peters' statement that all of the player's equipment costs are paid for, Danesis said the scholarship even covers the re-stringing of her rackets.
First-year basketball player Kramer Soderberg also receives a full scholarship and said he is less conscious of his out-of-pocket expenses.
"I haven't noticed that I have paid for too much stuff on my own," Soderberg said. "All of my school stuff is paid for. So is our gear and traveling for the team."
As for medical expenses, Soderberg said he goes to the team's trainer for aid as opposed to visiting Student Health Services when he gets ill.
Peters, Danesis and Soderberg all agreed the majority of out of pocket expenses for full scholarship student-athletes are for entertainment purposes such as eating at restaurants or visiting bars uptown.
Read More
How one professor and her classes are preserving Oxford’s Black history
By Sean Scott | March 20, 2024Jazma Sutton, an assistant professor of history, teaches The Black Midwest (HST 350Q) and Black Women in America (HST 450D) classes. In both courses, she has students working with the Smith Library of Regional History and Miami’s archives to document and preserve Black history in Oxford.
Miami faculty members recount Freedom Summer in new documentary
By Luke Macy | February 25, 2022After seven years of work, “Training for Freedom,” a documentary highlighting Oxford’s involvement in the Freedom Summer of 1964, premiered on PBS Western Reserve on Valentine’s Day.
“Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic”: History in the making
By Alice Momany | August 29, 2021In March 2020, Miami University’s archives launched “Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a collection focused on life during the COVID-19 pandemic.