National Letter of Intent (NLI)

Overview

The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a document used to indicate a student athlete's commitment to participating in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) colleges and universities in the United States. The NLI is often associated with a scholarship offer from a college or university, but it is essentially a recruiting tool used by the institution to lock in the student-athlete. The NLI is legally binding and has significant implications for the student-athlete's collegiate career.

History

The National Letter of Intent program began in 1964 with seven conferences and eight independent institutions. The program has grown to include 650 Division I and Division II participating institutions. The NLI program is managed by the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA), not the NCAA. The NCAA Eligibility Center certifies the academic and amateur credentials of all college-bound student-athletes who wish to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the NLI is to provide a clear understanding between the institution and the student-athlete about the mutual commitment to participate in collegiate athletics. The student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year, and the institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year.

Terms and Conditions

The NLI binds a student-athlete to a college or university for an academic year. Once a student-athlete signs an NLI, other schools must cease recruiting efforts. The student-athlete is required to attend the institution with which they signed for one academic year in exchange for a one-year athletics scholarship. If a student-athlete does not fulfill the NLI agreement, they may face significant penalties, including loss of a year of eligibility.

Signing the NLI

The signing of the NLI is often a significant event for the student-athlete. It marks the end of the recruiting process and the beginning of their collegiate career. The NLI must be accompanied by a financial aid agreement, but the NLI itself does not guarantee financial aid – the specifics of the scholarship offer are contained in the separate financial aid agreement.

Release from NLI

In some cases, a student-athlete may request a release from their NLI agreement. This is typically granted in cases of extenuating circumstances such as a coaching change or a significant change in the student-athlete's personal situation. The decision to grant a release is made by the NLI Appeals Committee.

Impact on Student-Athletes

The NLI has a significant impact on student-athletes. It provides them with a sense of security about their collegiate future, but it also limits their flexibility. Once a student-athlete signs an NLI, they are effectively ending their recruitment process and committing to a single institution.

Criticisms

The NLI has been criticized for being overly restrictive and for placing too much power in the hands of colleges and universities. Critics argue that the NLI limits the options of student-athletes and places them at a disadvantage in the recruiting process.

See Also

• NCAA Division I Athletics
• NCAA Division II Athletics
• Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA)

A student-athlete signing a National Letter of Intent in a formal setting.