Frequently-Asked Questions on
The National Letter of Intent/Financial Aid

1. What is the National Letter of Intent?             
2. What happens if I sign a National Letter of Intent then decide to go to a different college?      
3. Can a college or university reduce or cancel my scholarship during the academic year?             
4. How long does a scholarship last and can the college cancel my scholarship after the first year?

The National Letter of Intent

The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an institution in which the institution agrees to provide a prospective student-athlete who is admitted to the institution and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules athletics aid for one academic year in exchange for the prospect's agreement to attend the institution for one academic year. All colleges and universities that participate in the NLI program agree to not recruit a prospective student-athlete once he/she signs an NLI with another college or university. Therefore, a prospective student-athlete who signs an NLI should no longer receive recruiting contacts and calls and is ensured an athletics scholarship for one academic year. The NLI must be accompanied by an institutional financial aid agreement. If the student-athlete does not enroll at that institution for a full academic year, he/she may be subject to specific penalties, including loss of a season of eligibility and a mandatory residence requirement.

The NLI program is administered through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Specific questions regarding its application should be directed to the NLI office at 317/223-0706. Additional information, including frequently asked questions, can be obtained through the NLI Program Web page at http://www.national-letter.org.

Return to top

Breach of National Letter of Intent by Student-Athlete prior to initial enrollment, practice and competition in order to attend another institution

By signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student-ahtlete agrees to attend the designated college or university for one academic year.  If the prospective student-athlete does not attend the signing institution or attends that institution for less than one academic year, and enrolls in another college that participates in the National Letter of Intent program there may be eligibility ramifications. The basic penalty may preclude the student-athlete from representing the second college until completing an academic year in residence at the latter institution and may lose one season of competition in all sports.

For further information, visit the National Letter of Intent Web site or contact the National Letter of Intent office at:

P.O. Box 7132
Indianapolis, IN  46207-7132
317/223-0706

Return to top

Institutional Financial Aid -- Reduction/Cancellation

If a student-athlete is receiving institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability, that financial aid MAY be reduced or canceled during the period of award (e.g., during that year or term) only if the student-athlete:

1. Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition; or             
2. Misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement; or             
3. Commits serious misconduct which warrants a substantial disciplinary penalty (the misconduct determination must be made by the university's regular student disciplinary authority); or             
4. Voluntarily quits the sport for personal reasons. In this case, the student-athlete's financial aid may not be given to another student-athlete during the term in which the aid was reduced or canceled.

Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability MAY NOT be reduced, canceled or increased during the period of award:

1. Based on a student-athlete's ability, performance, or contribution to a team's success; or             
2. Because an injury prevents the student-athlete from participating; or             
3. For any other athletics reason.

Please contact the certifying institution or conference for additional information. You also may contact the NCAA membership services staff at 317/917-6222 if you have further questions

Return to top

Institutional Financial Aid Renewal/Nonrenewal

Aid based in any degree on athletics ability cannot be awarded in excess of one academic year; the decision of whether a student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid is made on a year-by-year basis, depending on the regulations of the institution.

If a student-athlete is receiving institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability, the institution must notify the student in writing on or before July 1 whether the aid has been renewed or not renewed for the next academic year. This written notification comes from the institution's financial aid authority and not from the athletics department.

If the institution decides not to renew the aid, or is going to reduce the aid, the institution must notify the student-athlete in writing that he or she has the right to a hearing. This hearing is held before the institutional agency making the award.

Keep in mind that the decision to renew or not renew the financial aid is left to the discretion of the institution, to be determined with its normal practices for students generally.

Please contact the certifying institution or conference for additional information. You also may contact the NCAA membership services staff at 317/917-6222 if you have further questions.

Return to top

[NOTE: This is not a complete list of NCAA regulations regarding the National Letter of Intent or financial aid. Please call or write NCAA membership services or the National Letter of Intent office if you have specific questions.]

NCAA Membership Services P.O. Box 6222 Indianapolis, IN 46206-6222 317/917-6222 (phone) 317/917-6622 (fax) 800/638-3731 (NCAA Hotline) www.ncaa.org

National Letter of Intent P.O. Box 7132 Indianapolis, IN  46207-7132 317/223-0706 (phone) 317/968-5105 (fax) www.national-letter.org

© The National Collegiate Athletic Association