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NCAA Letter Of Intent
Frequently Asked Questions



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

Mailing Address
National Letter of Intent
2201 Arrington Blvd. N.
Birmingham, AL 35203-1103

Phone and Fax
Phone: (205) 458-3000
Fax: (205) 458-3031

Web Address
http://www.national-letter.org/

E-mail Address
questions@national-letter.org



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