|
Question: When I sign a National Letter of Intent what
do I agree to do? |
Answer: When you sign the National Letter of Intent you
agree to attend the institution with which you signed for one
academic year in exchange for the institution awarding financial
aid, including athletics aid, for one academic year.
| Question: By signing a National Letter of Intent am I
guaranteed that I will play on the squad? |
Answer: No. Signing a National Letter of Intent does not
guarantee you playing time or a spot on the team. Rather, by
signing a National Letter of Intent, the institution with which
you sign agrees to provide you athletics financial aid for the
academic year.
| Question: How do I satisfy the National Letter of Intent?
|
Answer: You can satisfy the National Letter of Intent
one of two ways. You satisfy the National Letter of Intent by
attending the institution with which you sign for at least one
academic year or by graduating from a junior college if you
signed a National Letter of Intent while in high school or
during your first year at the junior college.
| Question: Is a National Letter of Intent binding
if the coach that signed me leaves the institution to take
another position? |
Answer: Yes. The National Letter of Intent you signed
with an institution is valid if the coach that recruited you
leaves the institution with which you signed. When you sign
a National Letter of Intent you sign with an institution and
not with a coach or a specific team.
| Question: If I complete the playing season at the
institution with which I sign, have I satisfied the National
Letter of Intent? |
Answer: No. Completing a playing season alone does
not satisfy the National Letter of Intent. You must
complete the academic year in residence.
|
Question: Who signs a National Letter of Intent?
|
Answer: Generally, only prospective student-athletes
who are enrolling in a four-year institution for the first
time sign a National Letter of Intent. Student-athletes who
start their academic career at a four-year institution and
then transfer to a junior college may also sign a National
Letter of Intent if they plan on entering a second four-year
institution.
| Question: Do I sign a National Letter of Intent every
year? |
Answer: No, while under NCAA rules you must be
notified annually regarding whether your athletics aid
has been renewed, you only sign an NLI when you first
enroll in a four-year institution or if you are a four-
two-four transfer student.
| Question: Do I sign a National Letter of Intent if I
transfer to another four-year institution? |
Answer: No. A student-athlete transferring from one
four-year institution to another does not sign another
National Letter of Intent.
| Question:
May a mid year enrollee sign a National
Letter of Intent? |
Answer: Under the terms of the National Letter of
Intent Program a written award of athletics aid for the
entire academic year must accompany a National Letter of
Intent. Accordingly, the National Letter of Intent program
does not allow for prospective student-athletes enrolling
at midyear to sign a National Letter of Intent. The National
Letter of Intent Program has created an exception to this
general rule for midyear junior college transfer students
in the sport of football. A midyear junior college transfer
student in the sport of football may sign a National Letter
of Intent during the designated signing period.
If I sign a letter of intent with a junior college or an
NAIA school may I sign a National Letter of Intent?
Yes. You may sign a National Letter of Intent if you have
already signed a letter of intent with a junior college or
an NAIA school. The National Letter of Intent program is a
voluntary program with over 500 participating institutions.
By entering the National Letter of Intent Program,
participating institutions agree to honor one another's
commitments. Make certain you understand the difference
between a NAIA or junior college letter and the National
Letter of Intent before you sign more than one letter.
| Question:
If I sign a National Letter of Intent
may I attend an NAIA school or a school that does not
participate in the NLI program without incurring any
National Letter of Intent penalties? |
Answer: If you sign a National Letter of Intent,
you may attend any institution that does not belong to
the National Letter of Intent Program without incurring
any National Letter of Intent penalties while at the non
participating school. Please note though, that if you
ever transfer to an institution that did participate
in the National Letter of Intent Program, the National
Letter of Intent penalties would be applied at the next
National Letter of Intent institution.
| Question: What happens if I change my mind and
I do not want to attend the institution with which I
sign and want to attend another National Letter of
Intent institution? |
Answer: If you do not attend the institution
with which you signed or if you do not satisfy the
terms of the National Letter of Intent Program, the
basic penalty is you lose two years of eligibility
at the next National Letter of Intent institution
and you must sit two years in residence at that school.
| Question: Can the Basic Penalty which calls for a
loss of two years of eligibility and requires that I sit
two years in residence at the next National Letter of
Intent Institution be reduced? |
Answer: Yes. The Basic Penalty under the National
Letter of Intent agreement can be reduced by entering into
a Qualified Release Agreement with the signing institution.
By entering into a Qualified Release Agreement, the
institution and the student-athlete mutually agree to
release each other from any commitment and liability to
each other as a result of signing a National Letter of
Intent. Pursuant to the Qualified Release Agreement, you
may not represent a second National Letter of Intent
institution in any sport during the first year of residence
there and you will be charged with a loss of one season of
competition in all sport.
| Question: Who executes the Qualified Release Agreement?
|
Answer: The Qualified Release Agreement must be executed
by the Director of Athletics (or a designee), your parent or
legal guardian and yourself. Your coach does not sign the
Qualified Release Agreement. Furthermore, your coach does
not have the authority to release you from your National
Letter of Intent obligations.
| Question: Is the Qualified Release Agreement the
same as the One-Time Transfer Exception as set forth in
NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10? |
Answer: No. The Qualified Release Agreement and the
NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception are two different documents.
Specifically, pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 (One-Time
Transfer Exception) at Division I, a student-athlete who
has not previously transferred from a four-year institution
and does not participate in the sports of Division I
basketball, Division I-A football or Division I men's ice
hockey, may transfer and not have to sit a year in residence
under NCAA rules provided the student-athlete was in good
academic standing and met satisfactory-process requirements
at the previous institution. Furthermore, the student-athlete
must have been eligible at the previous institution and the
previous institution must have no objection to the student being
granted an exception to the NCAA residence requirement.
The fact a student is eligible for the NCAA One-Time Transfer
Exception does not mean a student-athlete has received a
Qualified Release Agreement pursuant to the National Letter
of Intent Program or that the student-athlete is not subject
to the National Letter of Intent penalties.
The Qualified Release Agreement is a specific document created
by the National Letter of Intent Program. You may obtain a copy
of the Qualified Release Agreement in the Document Library or
from the compliance coordinator at your institution.
If you have any questions about NCAA transfer and eligibility
regulations, please contact the NCAA at (317) 917-6222.
| Question: Does the institution with which I signed have
to grant me a Qualified Release Agreement if requested? |
Answer: No. Just as the National Letter of Intent is
a voluntary agreement, the Qualified Release Agreement is
voluntary in nature. An institution is not required to provide
you with a Qualified Release Agreement. If an institution denies
your request for a Qualified Release Agreement, you may petition
the National Letter of Intent Steering Committee for such an
agreement. In order to petition the NLI Steering Committee you
must document in writing that you requested a Qualified Release
Agreement from the Director of Athletics of the signing institution
and that your request was denied. Once proper documentation has
been submitted, the NLI Steering Committee will consider your
request. Petitions to the NLI Steering Committee should be sent
to the NLI Program, 2201 Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd. N.,
Birmingham, Alabama 35203.
| Question: If I do not satisfy my National Letter of Intent
agreement, may I practice or receive athletics aid at another
National Letter of Intent institution? |
Answer: Yes. Signing a National Letter of Intent does not
impact your ability to practice or receive athletics aid at another
National Letter of Intent institution. The Basic Penalty under the
National Letter of Intent program is that you lose two years of
eligibility in all sports and have to sit two years in residence
at the next National Letter of Intent institution.
| Question: If I sign a National Letter of Intent in one
sport may I sign a National Letter of Intent in a different
sport? |
Answer: No. You may only sign one valid National
Letter of Intent annually. Furthermore, when you sign a
National Letter of Intent you sign with an institution and
not with a coach or with a specific sports team.
| Question: Is a National Letter of Intent considered
valid if I submit it to the institution via facsimile?
|
Answer: Yes. When you sign the National Letter of
Intent you enter into an agreement with the institution.
Faxing only represents the means by which you transmit
the National Letter. Accordingly, a National Letter of
Intent transmitted by facsimile is considered valid.
As a matter of practice, it is suggested that you also
return the hard copy of the document to the signing
institution even if you have already sent the document
via fax.
| Question: If I do not live with a parent or legal
guardian, is it necessary that a parent or legal guardian
sign the National Letter of Intent? |
Answer: If you are under the age of 21, your
parent or legal guardian must sign the National Letter
of Intent in order for it to be considered valid. If you
are 21 years of age or older, it is not necessary for your
parent or legal guardian to sign the document.
| Question: If my parent or legal guardian lives at a
different location than I do, is it permissible to sign a
letter sent by facsimile? |
Answer: While it is not ideal, yes it is permissible
to sign a letter sent by facsimile. From a procedural stand
point, you should make three copies of the fax and sign the
document in triplicate. Once signed, you should retain a
copy for your records and return the other two copies to
the institution. When the institution receives the copies,
they will retain a copy and forward a copy to their
conference office for filing.
| Question: Can a coach be present when I sign the
National Letter of Intent off-campus? |
Answer: No. A coach cannot be present when you
sign a National Letter of Intent off-campus. Pursuant to
NCAA Bylaw 13.1.6.2, any in-person, off-campus contact made
with a prospect for the purpose of signing a National Letter
of Intent or attendance at activities related to the signing
of the National Letter of Intent is prohibited.
| Question: Is it permissible to receive a National
Letter of Intent while on campus for an official visit?
|
Answer: Yes. While under the terms of the National
Letter of Intent program a coach or institutional
representative may not hand-deliver a National Letter of
Intent off-campus, there is nothing that precludes you
from receiving a National Letter of Intent while you are on
campus for an official visit. Please remember that you can
only sign a National Letter of Intent during a permissible
signing period. Furthermore, signing a National Letter of
Intent is a big commitment. Accordingly, it is strongly
suggested that you consult your parent or legal guardian
in this decision making process.
|
Question: If I am going to walk-on to the team, may
I sign a National Letter of Intent? |
Answer: No. Under the terms of the National Letter of
Intent Program, an institution is strictly prohibited from
allowing you to sign a National Letter of Intent if you are
a walk-on. In order for a National Letter of Intent it be
consider valid, the National Letter of Intent must be
accompanied by an athletic award letter which lists the
terms and conditions of the award, including the amount
and duration of the financial aid. Simply put, there has
to be an award including athletics aid for there to be a
valid National Letter of Intent.
| Question: Once I sign a National Letter of Intent
may I be recruited by other institutions? |
Answer: Once you sign a National Letter of Intent,
all other participating conferences and institutions are
obligated to cease recruiting you. Accordingly, you have
an obligation to notify any recruiter from a National Letter
of Intent institution of the fact you have signed a National
Letter of Intent.
| Question: Am I required to sign a National
Letter of Intent? |
Answer: No. You are not required to sign a
National Letter of Intent but many student-athletes
sign a National Letter of Intent because they want to
create certainty in the recruiting process. Specifically,
by signing a National Letter of Intent, you agree to
attend the institution for one year in exchange for the
institution's promise, in writing, to provide you athletic
financial aid for the entire academic year. Simply, by
signing a National Letter of Intent you are given an
award including athletics aid for the upcoming academic
year provided you are admitted to the institution and
you are eligible for athletics aid under NCAA rules.
Furthermore, by signing a National Letter of Intent
you effectively end the recruiting process. Once you
sign a National Letter of Intent, a recruiting ban
goes into effect and you can no longer be recruited
by any other National Letter of Intent school which
leaves you free to enjoy your final year at your
current institution.
| Question: If I sign with an NCAA Division I
institution can I still sign with a Division II institution?
|
Answer: The true issue is not whether a school
is a Division I or Division II institution but whether
an institution is a member of the National Letter of
Intent Program. With over 500 participating institutions
the NLI program is truly national in scope. Briefly, all
of Division I institutions, with the exception of the
Service Academies and the Ivy League, are members of
program and a large number of Division II institutions
participate in the program. No Division III institutions,
NAIA schools, preparatory schools or junior colleges
participate in the National Letter of Intent Program.
| Question: May I sign a National Letter of Intent
before I am certified as eligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse?
|
Answer: Yes. You may sign a National Letter of
Intent before you receive your final certification
determination from the Clearinghouse. In fact, it is
very common for a prospect to sign a National Letter of
Intent during the course of his/her senior year. When
you sign a National Letter of Intent you agree to submit
the necessary information and documents to the NCAA
Clearinghouse. If you are classified by the NCAA Clearinghouse
as either a Qualifier or Partial Qualifier, the National
Letter of Intent is considered valid. If by the institution's
opening day of classes for the fall term you are
classified as a non-qualifier pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 14.3,
your National Letter of Intent is rendered null and void.
| Question: When is the permissible time period for
signing a National Letter of Intent? |
Answer: You may sign a National Letter of Intent
only during the designated signing period. If you sign a
National Letter of Intent outside the appropriate signing
period, the National Letter of Intent shall be considered
null and void. Presuming you are within the permissible
signing period, you and your parent or legal guardian must
sign the NLI within 14 days of issuance.
You may find the appropriate signing period for your
sport on the front page of the National Letter of Intent.
| Question: Where is my signed National Letter of
Intent filed? Who is responsible for filing the document?
|
Answer: You should sign your National Letter
of Intent in triplicate. Once signed, you should retain
a copy for your records and you should send the two other
executed documents to the signing institution. When the
institution receives your letters, the will keep one copy
and forward one copy to their conference office. The
institution must file your NLI with the conference office
within 21 days after the date of final signature or else
the letter will be considered invalid. Once the conference
office receives your information they will notify the
National Letter of Intent office via mail or computer of
the fact you have signed a National Letter of Intent.
| Question: If I fail to honor my NLI commitment
and do not attend the institution with which I signed,
may another NLI member institution recruit me? |
Answer: Yes, if you have received a Qualified
Release Agreement from the institution with which you signed,
or the institution that desires to recruit you is granted
permission to do so by the institution with which you signed.
(If permission to contact is granted, it is not limited to
certain institutions, but to all institutions seeking to
recruit the student-athlete.)
| Question: Can the institution with which I signed grant
me a full and complete release from my NLI? |
Answer: No. The extent of relief that an institution
can provide a student-athlete who signs a NLI but, for whatever
reason, fails to honor the terms and conditions of the agreement
is a Qualified Release Agreement. Student-athletes must appeal
the terms and conditions of the Qualified Release Agreement to
the NLI Steering Committee. However, if a student-athlete meets
the conditions of the one-year absence provision (NLI Provision
No. 7-c), the institution's athletics director may write a letter
stating that athletically related aid will not be available for
the subsequent fall term and allow the student-athlete to pursue
other options without NLI repercussions. (See NLI Provision 7-c.)
| Question: If my request for a Qualified Release Agreement
is denied, is the institution obligated to provide me an opportunity
for a hearing as to why the request was denied?
|
Answer: No
| Question: If I call the NCAA can I get more information
about the National Letter of Intent? |
Answer: No. The National Letter of Intent program is
not administered by the NCAA. Rather, the National Letter of
Intent Program is administered by the Collegiate Commissioners
Association (CCA). The CCA was formed in 1939 to promote
uniformity in football officiating and mechanics and to
standardize interpretations of playing rules throughout the
nation. Over the years, the CCA has grown but its mission has
remained somewhat the same, that is promoting uniformity and
standard treatment of issues. Certainly, the National Letter
of Intent plays a great role in promoting certainty and
uniformity in the recruiting process. Conferences, on behalf
of their member institutions, join the National Letter of
Intent program and are knowledgeable about National Letter of
Intent rules and regulations. Furthermore, the Southeastern
Conference handles the daily administrative duties of the
National Letter of Intent program on behalf of the CCA.
If you have additional questions about the National Letter of
Intent please contact your institution's conference office or
the National Letter of Intent Program. If you have a question
about NCAA eligibility, transfer regulations or recruiting you
may contact the NCAA at (317) 917-6222.
| Question: Where can I find more information about
the National Letter of Intent? |
Answer: While certainly this web site is an excellent
place to find information regarding the National Letter of
Intent, the best way to learn about the document is to read
the actual letter. All the terms of the National Letter of
Intent have been published on the document so you can have time
to read and understand the terms of the agreement. Signing a
National Letter of Intent is a very important step and you owe
it to yourself to read the document and to review it with your
parent or legal guardian. When you sign a National Letter of
Intent you are agreeing to attend the institution with which
you sign for one academic year. Accordingly, you should be
certain about your choice of institution before you sign a
National Letter of Intent.
Reprinted From:
National Letter of Intent Web Site
