NLI/Scholarship Question

TARatko,

I know that some conferences have slight differences, known as inter-conference exceptions. For example the SEC has it's own inter-conference transfer policy (players do have to sit out one year if they transfer from one SEC program to another) I believe this is done via a separate form. My understanding is that the NLI document cannot be altered in any way.

However I do not know of any conference that stipulates that a scholarship offer / amount is valid for 4 years. If this were in fact true I would think that it would be a huge recruiting tool! It might actually be deemed an unfair recruiting advantage and then be protested by other schools and conferences.

If you could which school and conference I can check it out.

From the NLI FAQ's:

quote:

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When I sign a National Letter of Intent what do I agree to do?

When you sign the National Letter of Intent you agree to attend for one academic year the institution listed on the Letter in exchange for that institution awarding athletics financial aid for one academic year.

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taratko,
the Collegiate Commissioners Association administers the National Letter of Intent program - the NLI's are all standard (the same) - the athlete agrees to attend that school for 1 year

however the separate document - the school's "financial aid commitment" can promise/guarantee you about anything they want, tho a 4 yr guarantee sounds like an "urban legend"

Bob types faster than me

TARatko,

Here is a link to the NLI organization.

http://www.national-letter.org

The NLI is an organization with policies and procedures that are adopted my its members.

So, the terms of the NLI should be consistent from school to school that are members of the organization.

The text of the NLI is on the web site.

I would encourage you and others that expect to sign an NLI to read the document.

It is very different than what is commonly believed.

The NLI agreement is for one academic year and does not include language about "if the player is cut, hurt, or whatever".

The terms of the scholarship including the amount and duration are included in an award letter that is separate from the NLI.

The NLI agreement is intended to regulate the recruiting/transfer of athletes among the member organizations.

Scholarships are typically one year deals. I can not recall how the issue of "if the player is cut, hurt, or whatever" is addressed in the award letter, and I do not have my son's with me at the office.

I'll check the award letter fine print to see if this issue is addressed.

It does come up and from information posted to this web site there are variations from school to school in how the issue is handled. Some posters have indicated that scholarships were honored when injuries occurred and others schools did not.

From the coaches point of view with 11.7 scholarships, having players out on scholarship
and not playing is not good for the program, so a good assumption would be that "if the player is cut, hurt, or whatever" the scholarship is going away.

Another thread also discussed the timing of injuries and the impact on the scholarsip. For example, injuries occurring outside of the program might result in loss of the scholarship while those occurring in the program might continue.

This is from the NCAA handbook, and there is no mention of injury....

Reduction or Cancellation of Scholarship - Under the following conditions, your scholarship can be removed:
1 - You become ineligible for intercollegiate competition.
2 - You fraudulently misrepresent info on an application, Letter of Intent or financial aid agreement.
3 - Engage in conduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty.
4 - Voluntarily withdraw from your sport on your own.

My suggestion is before anyone signs, make sure one has a clear understanding of the agreement between player, coach and school.

What happens in an injury situation usually depends on the college and the coach---I have seen it go both ways--remain in effect while the injured player mends or just plain rleased

There is no tried and true path here

TRhit is right on the money with his comment above.