Tuesday, September 27, 2011

The NCAA National Letter of Intent and Scholarships


NLI Signing Dates for Prospective Student-Athletes Enrolling 2012-2013

SportInitial Signing DateFinal Signing Date
Basketball (Early Period)Nov. 9, 2011Nov. 16, 2011
All Other Sports Not Listed (Early Period)Nov. 9, 2011Nov. 16, 2011
Football (Midyear JC Transfer)Dec. 21, 2011Jan. 15, 2012
Football (Regular Period)Feb. 1, 2011April 1, 2012
Field Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country, Men's Water PoloFeb. 1, 2012Aug. 1, 2012
Basketball (Regular Period)April 11, 2012May 16, 2012
All Other Sports Not Listed (Regular Period)April 11, 2012Aug. 1, 2012


What is the National Letter of Intent (NLI)?

The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution
  • A prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
  • The institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
Basic penalty for not fulfilling the NLI agreement:  A student-athlete has to serve one year in residence (full-time, two semesters or three quarters) at the next NLI member institution and lose one season of competition in all sports.

About the National Letter of Intent (NLI)

The NCAA Eligibility Center manages the daily operations of the NLI program while the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) provides governance oversight of the program. Started in 1964 with seven conferences and eight independent institutions, the program now includes 620 Division I and Division II participating institutions.

The NLI is a voluntary program with regard to both institutions and student-athletes. No prospective student-athlete or parent is r
equired to sign the National Letter of Intent, and no institution is required to join the program.
By signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the designated college or university fro one academic year. Pursuant to the terms of the National Letter of Intent program, participating institutions agree to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year to the student-athlete, provided he/she is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules. An important provision of the National Letter of Intent program is a recruiting prohibition applied after a prospective student-athlete signs a Letter of Intent. This prohibition requires participating institutions to cease recruitment of a prospective student-athlete once a National Letter of Intent is signed with another institution.

The National Letter of Intent has many advantages to both prospective student-athletes and participating educational institutions:
  • Once a National Letter of Intent is signed, prospective student-athletes are no longer subject to further recruiting contacts and calls.
  • Student-athletes are assured of an athletics scholarship for one full academic year.
  • By emphasizing a commitment to an educational institution, not particular coaches or teams, the program focuses on a prospective student-athlete's educational objectives.

Athletic Scholarships

Does the NCAA award athletic scholarships?
Individual schools award athletic scholarships, not the NCAA. Division I and II schools offer athletic scholarships. Division III schools offer academic scholarships only. NCAA members provide more than $1.5 billion in athletics scholarships annually.

Is an athletic scholarship guaranteed for four years?
No. Athletic scholarships, like most merit-based scholarships, are limited to one academic year. Athletic scholarships may be renewed and the school must notify the student-athlete in writing by July 1 whether the athletic scholarship will be renewed for the next aca­demic year. Individual schools have appeal policies for scholarships that are reduced or not renewed. In most cases, the coach decides who gets a scholarship, what it covers and whether it will be renewed.

What do athletics scholarships cover?
Per NCAA guidelines, full scholarships do not exceed tuition and fees, room, board, and required course-related books. But it is important to note many student-athletes receive athletic scholarships that only cover a portion of these costs.

Can student-athletes receive other, non-athletic financial aid?
Yes. Thousands of student-athletes benefit from academic scholarships and need-based aid,
such as federal Pell Grants. In addition, there is money available from the NCAA’s own Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund. Sometimes student-athletes cannot accept certain types of aid because of NCAA amateurism or financial aid requirements. Student-athletes and parents with questions on additional financial aid should check with their athletic department or college financial aid office.

Is an athletic scholarship the same thing as a National Letter of Intent?
No, but they are often confused with each other. By signing a National Letter of Intent (NLI), a future NCAA student-athlete ends the recruiting process with all other NLI institutions and commits to a school for one year. In return, the student-athlete is guaranteed a one-year scholarship from that school. The NLI seeks to limit recruiting pressure but signing one is not a required step to earning an athletic scholarship.

Do many high school athletes earn athletics scholarships?
Very few in fact. According to recent statistics, about 2 percent of high school athletes are awarded athletics scholarships to compete in college. This small number means high school student-athletes and their parents need to have realistic expectations about receiving an athletic scholarship to play sports in college. Academic, not athletic, achievement is the most reliable path to success in life.

NLI Provisions


NLI Frequently Asked Questions


Release and Appeals


Source:  http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/nli/nli+


For additional information contact All-American Sports Recruiting at info@allamericansportsrecruiting.com or 832.523.8797.



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