NIL Education is College Access Work
Our co-founder, Bill Carter of Student-Athlete Insights conducts the NIL Research Poll, a monthly survey of 5,000+ college student-athletes and 1,000 high school prospects across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III.
In Bill’s NIL Research Poll Report, which is available to NIL Forum members he recently addressed the “The Confidence Trap” in which inevitably almost all of our student-athletes are experiencing to one degree or another.
Bill’s data revealed that before signing their first deal, 87% of student-athletes had no budget or financial plan in place. Still, nearly half, 48%, reported feeling confident or very confident at the time. In his report, Bill describes that 33-point gap as a confidence trap, and it is impacting the very population of student-athletes who we as counselors are advising as they prepare for or experience the sudden income of NIL.
Why This Matters
For years, college access work has been grounded in a clear mission: helping students understand their options, navigate complexity, and make informed decisions about their future. That mission hasn’t changed, but the landscape has.
Today’s student-athletes are navigating a recruiting process that extends far beyond admissions and athletics. The $2.5B NIL industry has introduced a new layer and it directly influences how students evaluate schools, understand affordability, and envision their opportunities beyond college.
If we believe in equity, access, and informed decision-making, then we have to recognize a simple truth: NIL education is college access work.
The Reality
This is more than a financial literacy issue. It is a college access and student support issue.
Student-athletes are making decisions that can impact their college experience, financial well-being, and long-term trajectory without the guidance needed to fully understand those decisions. Confidence, in this case, can lead to missteps, missed opportunities, or choices that prioritize short-term gains over long-term fit.
The reality is that students with access to informed guidance are better positioned to navigate this space effectively. Those without it are left to rely on incomplete information, social media narratives, or peer influence.
Sound familiar?
NIL education is college access work.
When NIL education is integrated into the college counseling process, it connects these decisions to broader career readiness, helping student-athletes build skills in financial awareness, communication, and long-term planning that align with existing comprehensive counseling practices.
If schools are committed to supporting the whole student and promoting equitable outcomes, this gap cannot be ignored.
The Solution: Polaris Athlete Hub
Polaris Athlete Hub was built to meet this moment.
By integrating NIL education into the college counseling process, Polaris Athlete Hub provides student-athletes with the structure, context, and guidance they need to navigate opportunities with clarity and confidence. The platform goes beyond surface-level awareness, helping students build financial understanding, develop decision-making skills, and think critically about both short-term opportunities and long-term goals.
At the same time, Polaris Athlete Hub is built to support counselors, coaches, and administrators by delivering this education in a way that does not add additional burden. Through asynchronous learning, curated resources, and ongoing programming, schools can provide meaningful support without needing to build it from scratch.
We’re also intentionally building a community where counselors and administrators who support student-athletes can learn from one another, collaborate, and stay ahead of the rapidly evolving recruiting and NIL landscape. Recently, 25–30 counselors joined us for our first professional development session, a strong early signal of the need for shared learning in this space. A recording of Part I is available for those who would like to revisit or engage with the conversation.
Our series continues on Friday, May 1 at 2 PM EST / 11 AM PST. Register here for free.
The goal is simple: ensure that every student-athlete has access to the knowledge and support needed to make informed decisions. Polaris Athlete Hub is a platform built for student-athlete success.
Because in today’s landscape, NIL education is not optional. It is essential.