Find and target the decent runners, maybe not state champions but top 15 in the state who are middle class and above average ACT/SAT..
Those students don't qualify for FA and have a shot at merit aid. NAIA could offer additional dollars..decreasing overall costs for the student.
My daughter a 27 ACT/ 25.6 200 & 58.3 400 meters 17'3 long jump ...3.75 ACT had merit aid offers from D3. Not a single NAIA school attempted to recruit her. She's a senior at a mid size Catholic High School.
Hindsight we should have contacted coaches and looked at a few NAIA schools that have solid academics. Our cost for the chosen D3 will be over 20,000 a year. We are still on the fence... Several D2/D3 schools showed interest but with no FA cost in state for what we considered a better academic school left 24-44000 out of pocket after Merit Aid.
75% of daughters graduating class who play sports will not compete due to lack of interest, no scholarship available, or they need to work to pay tuition.
D3 schools offer no scholarships. If NAIA has some resources for scholarships it's going to take the coach making calls to high school coaches for names by specific events. Developing a recruiting board ...