The University of Hawai'i football team's policy is: One snap and clear.

"We don't dwell on the last play," quarterback Colt Brennan said.

It is an approach Brennan embraces in regards to his decision to return to UH for his senior season, relinquishing an opportunity — and likely millions of dollars — to apply for the National Football League draft.

"Once I decided to come back, I didn't think about anything else," said Brennan, who set NCAA records for touchdown passes and pass efficiency last season. "I never got my mind to thinking that. There's no reason to."

But UH coach June Jones predicted Brennan would have been a top-10 selection in the 2007 draft — a position Jones valued at $25 million for a multi-year contract.

At worst, Brennan would have been a high second-round pick. The Miami Dolphins' second-round-pick, quarterback John Beck, signed four-year contract in which $2.25 million is guaranteed.

Such figures are fantasy football for Brennan, who returned to the real world in which his monthly scholarship check covers only 70 percent of his rent.

Brennan is fortunate. He receives financial assistance from his parents and his step grandmother, widow of the founder of the Jefferies Group investment bank.

Sharon Jefferies bought Brennan a car as a present for remaining in school.

"I'm getting a lot of help," Brennan said of his financial situation. "You can't judge me by that. That's my grandma. That's my mom and dad. That's my relatives. That's not me. That's me taking care of business, and my family trying to reward me."

Although he was raised in Orange County, Brennan said, "we came from farmers. We all worked for our money."

Brennan joined the Warriors as a non-scholarship player in August 2005. He arrived early that summer to train, sleeping on the floor of new teammate Tyler Graunke's apartment.

After leading the nation in passing yards and touchdown throws in 2005, Brennan was placed on scholarship in January 2006.

The football scholarship covers a player's tuition, books and most meals. Players who live off campus receive a scholarship check, which is supposed to be distributed the first of each month.

But several times the checks were not sent out on time. As a result, Brennan and Graunke — then living together in a new apartment — were late in paying the rent. Their landlord deducted the late fees from the security deposit. When they moved out at the end of the 2006 spring semester, Brennan and Graunke had to forfeit $650 apiece in security deposit.

"It's tough when you don't get your check on time," Brennan said. "We've got bills to pay."

Last year, Brennan and defensive back Erik Pedersen decided to become roommates. Brennan's share of the rent is $1,000 a month. His monthly scholarship check is about $700 during the season.

Jefferies, using money she set aside for a college fund, helps supplement Brennan's rent. Brennan uses money sent by his parents to pay for food, gas and other expenses.

"My dad gets on me all of the time about how much money I spend, and I've been well off my whole life," Brennan said. "I can't imagine guys who are pressed for money, how tough that is for them. A lot of guys have family, and they're able to barely survive. That's amazing. I don't know how guys do it."

Brennan said one of his biggest expenses is food. The two daily training-table meals are deducted from the scholarship.

Players receiving scholarships are responsible for paying for their lunches, and Sunday meals.

"It's amazing how much you spend on food, like snacks," Brennan said. "We're college students. We go to movies. It adds up. But there are a lot of good experiences you get out of it."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.