What is the Puma showcase? Is that still a thing? I recently saw some Adidas event in Oregon, but an entire team went to it, so I wasn't sure if it was invite only.
I agree that SOME kids aren't getting any real money, but that seems to be because they are shooting for schools that aren't their true "level". For instance I know of a girl that really wanted to go to UNC... so she went, and maybe got preferred walk on status? Her parents called it committed, but she didn't get any actual money. However, if she had went to the D2 that offered her a scholarship, she would have had a lot more money.
As a U15 parent, I'm currently spending about 3k a year in club/ECNL fees (that includes her travel). I pay another 4k a year when we travel as a family to surf cup and national events. so 7k a year? so lets say I spend 28k over the course of 4 years...Lets say that LMU is on her list of schools that she loves (great film school!) LMU is 60K per year with room and board. If she could get 50% of that paid... and then another 25 or 30% in academic money, thats not horrible, and she has used soccer as a way to chase her dream career.
I don't think any of us U15 and under parents have a set plan right now because things keep changing.