National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- January 18, 1999

Legislative assistance

1999 Column No. 2

Noninstitutional publication/recruiting service/Web site -- Division I

Division I institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaws 11.3.2.7 and 11.3.2.10, athletics department staff members shall not endorse (either orally or in writing) any noninstitutional publication dedicated primarily to reporting on an institution's athletics activities, except as provided in this section, and shall not write for or receive any remuneration from such publications. Further, institutional athletics department staff members may not endorse, serve as consultants or participate on advisory panels for any recruiting or scouting service involving prospects. During its November 17, 1998, meeting, the Legislative Review/Interpretations Subcommittee of the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet determined it is not permissible for an institution's Web site to provide a hyperlink (i.e., direct link) or make direct reference to either the Web site of a noninstitutional publication that reports primarily on the institution's athletics program or a recruiting/scouting service, inasmuch as such activity is considered to be a nonpermissible endorsement of the publication and/or scouting/recruiting service.

Financial aid/full-time enrollment -- Division I

Division I institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 15.01.5, a student-athlete must meet applicable NCAA (see Bylaw 14), conference and institutional regulations to be eligible for institutional financial aid. If these regulations are met, the student-athlete may be awarded institutional financial aid during any term in which a student-athlete is in regular attendance [i.e., was enrolled initially in a minimum full-time program of studies as defined by the certifying institution during that term (see 15.2.7 for summer-term exception)] under the following circumstances:

The student-athlete is an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under 14.2 (five-year/10-semester rule);

The student-athlete is a graduate student eligible under 14.1.7; or

Within six years after initial enrollment in a collegiate institution (provided the student does not receive such aid for more than five years during that period); however, after the six-year period expires, this restriction shall apply only to unearned athletics aid for which the athletics department intercedes on behalf of the student-athlete.

During its November 17, 1998, meeting, the Legislative Review/Interpretations Subcommittee of the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet determined that it is permissible for an institution to award financial aid to a student-athlete who has exhausted intercollegiate eligibility and is enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student-athlete is carrying for credit the courses necessary to complete degree requirements.

Initial eligibility/core-course curriculum/English -- Division I

Division I institutions should note that during its November 17, 1998, meeting, the Legislative Review/Interpretations Subcommittee of the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet determined that it is permissible to use an advanced-level English as a Second Language (ESL) course to satisfy core-curriculum requirements provided it is reviewed through the NCAA initial-eligibility waiver process. Other ESL courses taught in disciplines other than English (e.g., social studies) may satisfy a core-course requirement provided they are qualitatively and quantitatively the same as the comparison course in the regular course offering.

This material was provided by the membership services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Kristen L. Davis or Lisa Roesler, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the College Sports Network.