Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — NIL Financial Advisor Directory
We know choosing the right financial advisor for your NIL earnings can feel overwhelming — especially if it’s your first time managing significant income, investments, and long-term planning. That’s why we built the NIL Financial Advisor Directory to be the most trusted, transparent place for student-athletes to find, research, and review financial advisors who understand NIL.
Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions we get from student-athletes, parents, and advisors.
About the Directory
Q: What exactly is the NIL Financial Advisor Directory?
A: The NIL Financial Advisor Directory is an online platform that gives student-athletes a clear, unbiased view of financial advisors who work with athletes on Name, Image, and Likeness-related planning.
It’s more than just a list — it’s a community-driven review system where athletes and families can share real experiences and learn from others.
One of the biggest benefits? You can compare multiple advisors side-by-side — their ratings, reviews, specialties, service offerings, fees, and NIL experience. Instead of relying on a single recommendation, you can line up several advisors in the Compare Tool and see exactly who offers the most value for your needs.
Q: Are the advisors listed on your site vetted by you?
A: Yes — but only at a preliminary level. We confirm licensing, check public records, and look for obvious red flags before any advisor appears in the directory.
However, we don’t conduct a full background investigation or guarantee future performance. The most powerful part of this platform is the first-hand ratings and reviews from actual clients. Their experiences — good or bad — give you the clearest picture of what it’s like to work with that advisor.
Using the Directory
Q: How do I search for an advisor?
A: You can search by:
Advisor Name (if you already have someone in mind)
State or Region (for local regulations and support)
Specialization (NIL planning, budgeting, investments, insurance, etc.)
Ratings (top-rated, most-reviewed, or newest listings)
Once you find advisors you’re interested in, click Compare to put them side-by-side. This lets you see differences in:
Communication ratings
NIL-specific financial planning knowledge
Investment and insurance expertise
Year-round support vs. seasonal-only service
Fee transparency
Q: How do I leave a review?
A: On the advisor’s profile page, click Leave a Review. You’ll give a star rating and share your personal experience. Be specific — details about responsiveness, clarity, and professionalism help other athletes make informed decisions. All reviews must follow our Rating Guidelines.
Q: Can I edit or remove my review later?
A: Yes. Email info@NILFinancialAdvisorDirectory.com with your name, email, and a link to the advisor’s profile. Let us know if you want the review updated or removed.
Q: Do you allow anonymous reviews?
A: No. We require valid contact information to post a review, but we can hide your name publicly if you prefer privacy.
For Student-Athletes & Families
Q: How do I know if a financial advisor is the right fit for me?
A: Start with our 10-Point NIL Advisor Checklist — it covers everything from fee structure to NIL-specific experience. Then use our Compare Tool to see how potential advisors measure up. Finally, read reviews from other athletes and families. If an advisor isn’t checking your boxes, keep looking.
Q: Can I report a bad experience with an advisor?
A: Absolutely. You can leave a public review on their profile or submit a private concern through our Report a Concern page. We take reports seriously and may investigate further if there are repeated complaints.
Q: Do you match me with an advisor?
A: Not directly. Our role is to give you the most complete and transparent information possible so you can choose. With our Compare feature, you’ll have a much better starting point than just searching online.
Q: What if I’m new to NIL financial planning and don’t know where to start?
A: Start by browsing advisors who specialize in NIL, reading reviews, and adding a few to your Compare list. Then, schedule introductory calls to discuss your needs. Our NIL Education Hub can also guide you through budgeting, saving, investing, and protecting your earnings.
For Financial Advisors
Q: How can I get listed?
A: Visit our Get Listed page and submit your application. We’ll review it, run preliminary checks, and notify you if you’re approved.
Q: Can I respond to reviews?
A: Yes. Advisors can post public replies to reviews to clarify details, thank clients, or address concerns.
Q: Can I update my profile?
A: Yes. Email info@NILFinancialAdvisorDirectory.com with your profile link and updated information.
Trust & Safety
Q: How do you prevent fake reviews?
A: Every review requires a valid email, and we reserve the right to verify identities. We also monitor suspicious activity and remove any review that violates our Rating Guidelines.
Q: What should I do if I think a listing is fraudulent?
A: Report it through our Report a Concern form or email info@NILFinancialAdvisorDirectory.com. We’ll investigate and take appropriate action.
Q: How does the Compare feature help with trust and safety?
A: By allowing you to compare several advisors’ ratings, reviews, and experience side-by-side, the Compare Tool makes it harder for underqualified professionals to hide behind marketing. Transparency is built into the process.
Other Questions
Q: Does it cost money to use the directory?
A: No. Searching, comparing advisors, and reading reviews are free for athletes and families. Advisors may pay for premium listing features, but all basic profiles are screened.
Q: Is NIL Financial Advisor Directory affiliated with the NCAA or schools?
A: No. We’re independent and not officially affiliated with the NCAA, universities, or conferences.
Q: What makes the Compare feature such a big deal?
A: Most athletes talk to only one or two advisors before choosing one. With our Compare feature, you can line up several at once and instantly see how they measure up — in ratings, reviews, specialties, NIL knowledge, and more. It’s like having an instant “advisor tryout” without the guesswork.
Still have a question?
Email info@NILFinancialAdvisorDirectory.com — we’re here to help you make the smartest possible NIL financial decisions.