The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- May 10, 1999

Legislative assistance

1999 Column No. 10

Bylaw 15.3.5.1

Renewal of Financial Aid

NCAA institutions should note that in accordance with Bylaw 15.3.5.1, the renewal of institutional financial aid must be made on or before July 1 prior to the academic year in which it is to become effective. Institutions must notify promptly in writing each student-athlete who has received an award the previous academic year and who has eligibility remaining in the sport in which financial aid was awarded the previous academic year whether the grant has been renewed or not renewed for the ensuing academic year. Notification of financial aid renewals and nonrenewals must come from the institution's regular financial aid authority and not from the institution's athletics department.

In accordance with Bylaw 15.3.5.1.1, if the institution decides not to renew or decides to reduce financial aid for the ensuing academic year, the institution must inform the student-athlete that he or she, upon request, must be provided with a hearing before the institutional agency making the award. During its August 25, 1995, telephone conference, the NCAA Interpretations Committee determined that when NCAA regulations require an institution to provide notice of a hearing opportunity to a student-athlete, such notice must be provided in writing to the student-athlete. Further, the institution must have established reasonable procedures for promptly hearing such a request and may not delegate the responsibility of conducting a nonrenewal hearing to the institution's athletics department or its faculty athletics committee. The decision to renew or not renew the financial aid is left to the discretion of the institution to be determined in accordance with its normal practice for students generally.

During its November 19, 1992, telephone conference, the Interpretations Committee determined that the reference to institutional aid set forth in Bylaw 15.3.5.1 refers only to institutional aid that is based in any degree on athletics ability. Thus, if a student-athlete is receiving institutional financial aid unrelated to athletics ability and such aid is reduced or not renewed for the ensuing academic year, the institution is not obligated to provide an opportunity for a hearing before the institutional agency making the award except as provided under institutional policy applicable to all students.

Finally, pursuant to Bylaw 15.5.1.5, if an institution does not renew financial aid for a counter in the subsequent academic year and a hearing before the institution's regular financial aid authority results in a successful appeal for restoration of aid, the student-athlete must continue to be a counter if the individual continues to receive athletically related financial aid. However, the student-athlete would not be a counter if he or she receives institutionally arranged or awarded nonathletically related financial aid available to all students, provided such financial aid was granted or arranged without regard in any degree to athletics ability. If the student-athlete ever participates again in intercollegiate athletics at the institution, he or she would be considered to have been a counter during each year the financial aid was received.

Bylaw 13.13.2.1.3

Camps and Clinics -- Employment of Student-Athletes -- Division I Football

NCAA Division I institutions should note that pursuant to Bylaw 13.13.2.1.3.1, in the sport of football, it is not permissible for an institution to employ a member of its football team with remaining eligibility as a counselor in its football camp or clinic. In football camps other than those conducted by the student-athlete's institution, not more than one football student-athlete with remaining eligibility from any one Division I institution may be employed. Further, pursuant to Bylaw 13.13.1.2.1, a senior prospect in the sport of football may not be employed nor permitted to enroll or participate in any institutional camp or clinic. Finally, please note that in accordance with Bylaw 13.13.2.1.3.3, it is permissible for a football student-athlete with remaining eligibility to be employed in any diversified camp (a camp that offers a diversified experience without an emphasis on instruction, practice or competition in any particular sport), including a diversified camp conducted by the student-athlete's institution, provided not more than one football student-athlete from any one Division I institution with remaining eligibility is employed.

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.