College Football Playoff expands travel expense program for families

Published Aug. 4, 2015 7:20 p.m. ET

Bruce Feldman

For all the criticism the power brokers of college sports get, the NCAA and the folks behind the College Football Playoff deserve credit for the move announced Tuesday: The program that offset expenses for student-athletes' parents and guardians to travel to the playoff championship game last season has been increased to include the 2015 semifinals.

The $2,500 stipend per student-athlete is meant to help with expenses for hotel accommodations, travel and meals for up to 100 families from each participating institution.

"We were pleased to implement this expense-reimbursement program for the first College Football Playoff National Championship and we received warm and sincere positive feedback from the family members," said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP. "Extending support to the Playoff Semifinals will be another terrific benefit for folks who will be thrilled to be present to celebrate the accomplishments and experiences of their student-athletes."

Last January, the CFP with assistance from an NCAA waiver provided $1,250 per parent or guardian to offset expenses for the championship game between Ohio State and Oregon.

Bruce Feldman is a senior college football reporter and columnist for FOXSports.com and FOX Sports 1. He is also a New York Times Bestselling author. His new book, The QB: The Making of Modern Quarterbacks, came out in October, 2014. Follow him on Twitter @BruceFeldmanCFB and get all of his content on Facebook.