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BYLAW, ARTICLE 15 Financial Aid 15.01 General Principles. 15.01.1 Institutional Financial Aid Permitted. A student-athlete may receive scholarships or educa- tional grants-in-aid administered by (see Bylaw 15.02.1) an educational institution that do not conflict with the governing legislation of this Association. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 5/26/09) 15.01.1.1 Financial Aid to Attend Another Institution. An institution may not provide financial aid to a student-athlete to attend another institution, except as specifically authorized by NCAA legislation. (Adopted: 1/16/93) 15.01.2 Improper Financial Aid. Any student-athlete who receives financial aid other than that permitted by the Association shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics. 15.01.3 Financial Aid Not Administered by Institution. Any student who receives financial aid other than that administered by the student-athlete’s institution shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics compe- tition, unless it is specifically approved under the Association’s rules of amateurism (see Bylaw 12) or the aid is: (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Received from one upon whom the student-athlete is naturally or legally dependent; or (b) Awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability; or (c) Awarded through an established and continuing program to aid students under the conditions listed in Bylaw 15.2.6.3. 15.01.4 Contributions by Donor. An individual may contribute funds to finance a scholarship or grant- in-aid for a particular sport, but the decision as to how such funds are to be allocated in the sport shall rest exclusively with the institution. It is not permissible for a donor to contribute funds to finance a scholarship or grant-in-aid for a particular student-athlete. 15.01.5 Eligibility of Student-Athletes for Institutional Financial Aid. A student-athlete must meet applicable NCAA (see Bylaw 14), conference and institutional regulations to be eligible for institutional fi- nancial 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 [was enrolled initially in a minimum full-time program of studies as defined by the certifying institution during that term (see Bylaw 14.2.2.1.3 for final term exception and Bylaw 15.2.8 for summer-term exception)] under the following circumstances: (Revised: 6/8/99, 1/9/06 effective 8/1/07, 10/27/11) (a) The student-athlete is an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under Bylaw 12.8 (five-year rule); or (b) The student-athlete is a graduate student eligible under Bylaw 14.6. [Note: See Bylaw 13.1.1.3 for the financial aid implications in the prohibition against contacting student-athletes of another four-year collegiate institution without permission of that institution’s athletics director. See Bylaw 14.5.5.4 for financial aid implications related to the academic eligibility of four-year college transfers.] 15.01.5.1 Exception—Part-Time Enrollment After Exhausted Eligibility. An institution may provide financial aid to a student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility in his or her sport and is enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) The student-athlete is carrying for credit the courses necessary to complete degree requirements; or (b) The student-athlete is carrying for credit all the degree-applicable courses necessary to complete his or her degree requirements that are offered by the institution during that term. 15.01.5.2 Exception—Former Student-Athletes. Institutional financial aid may be awarded to a former student-athlete for any term during which he or she is enrolled (full time or part time). (Adopted: 10/27/11) 15.01.5.3 Effect of Violation of Conference Rule. A violation of Bylaw 15.01.5 that relates only to a con- ference rule shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such a violation shall not affect the student-athlete’s eligibility. (Adopted: 10/27/06) 15.01.6 Maximum Institutional Financial Aid to Individual. An institution shall not award financial aid to a student-athlete that exceeds the cost of attendance that normally is incurred by students enrolled in a comparable program at that institution (see Bylaw 15.1). (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.01.6.1 Student Assistance Fund. The receipt of money from the NCAA Student Assistance Fund for student-athletes is not included in determining the permissible amount of financial aid that a member institu- tion may award to a student-athlete. Member institutions and conferences shall not use money received from the fund to finance salaries, grants-in-aid (other than summer school) for student-athletes with remaining eligibil- ity, capital improvements, stipends and outside athletics development opportunities for student-athletes (e.g., participation in a sports camp or clinic, private sports-related instruction, greens fees, batting cage rental, outside foreign tour expenses). (Adopted: 4/24/03, Revised: 1/8/07, 2/24/12)
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15.01.7 Sport-by-Sport Financial Aid Limitations. Division I may establish limitations on the number of financial aid awards a member institution may provide to countable student-athletes (counters) (see Bylaw 15.5). 15.01.8 Additional Financial Aid Limitations. The Committee on Academic Performance shall have the authority to determine the circumstances that would require an institution or team(s) that fails to satisfy the academic performance program to apply additional financial aid limitations. The Committee on Academic Per- formance shall establish and annually publish to the membership such circumstances (see Bylaw 14.8). (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.02 Definitions and Applications. 15.02.1 Administered By. Financial aid is administered by an institution if the institution, through its regular committee or other agency for the awarding of financial aid to students generally, makes the final determi- nation of the student-athlete who is to receive the award and of its value. 15.02.2 Cost of Attendance. The “cost of attendance” is an amount calculated by an institutional financial aid office, using federal regulations, that includes the total cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution. (Adopted: 1/11/94) 15.02.2.1 Calculation of Cost of Attendance. An institution must calculate the cost of attendance for student-athletes in accordance with the cost-of-attendance policies and procedures that are used for students in general. Accordingly, if an institution’s policy allows for students’ direct and indirect costs (e.g., tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, child care, cost related to a disability and miscellaneous per- sonal expenses) to be adjusted on an individual basis from the institution’s standard cost figure, it is permissible to make the same adjustment for student-athletes, provided the adjustment is documented and is available on an equitable basis to all students with similar circumstances who request an adjustment. (Adopted: 1/11/94) 15.02.3 Counter. A “counter” is an individual who is receiving institutional financial aid that is countable against the aid limitations in a sport. 15.02.3.1 Initial Counter. [FBS/FCS] An “initial counter” is a counter who is receiving countable financial aid in a sport for the first time. (See Bylaw 15.5.6.3 in football for instances in which the institution is permitted to defer the counting of such financial aid until the following academic year.) 15.02.4 Financial Aid. “Financial aid” is funds provided to student-athletes from various sources to pay or assist in paying their cost of education at the institution. As used in NCAA legislation, “financial aid” includes all institutional financial aid and other permissible financial aid as set forth below. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4.) (Revised: 5/26/09) 15.02.4.1 Athletically Related Financial Aid. Athletically related financial aid is financial aid that is awarded on any basis that is related to athletics ability, participation or achievement. If an application process specifically requests athletics participation or achievements as criteria for consideration in determining whether an applicant receives financial aid, aid received pursuant to such a process is athletically related financial aid. (Adopted: 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.02.4.2 Institutional Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are considered to be insti- tutional financial aid: (Revised: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94, 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) All funds administered by the institution, which include but are not limited to the following: (1) Scholarships; (2) Grants; (3) Tuition waivers; (4) Employee dependent tuition benefits, unless the parent or the legal guardian of a student-athlete has been employed as a full-time faculty/staff member for a minimum of five years; and (5) Loans. (b) Aid from government or private sources for which the institution is responsible for selecting the recipi- ent or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient. 15.02.4.3 Other Permissible Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are also permitted: (Re- vised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Financial aid received from anyone upon whom the student-athlete is naturally or legally dependent; (b) Financial aid awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability; (c) Financial aid awarded through an established and continuing outside program as outlined in Bylaw 15.2.6.3; and (d) Educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee, which count against an institution’s sport-by-sport financial aid limitations and against the individual’s full-grant-in-aid limit.
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15.02.4.4 Exempted Institutional Financial Aid. The following institutional financial aid is exempt and is not counted in determining the institution’s financial aid limitations: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 4/25/02, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) An honorary award for outstanding academic achievement or an established institutional research grant that meets the criteria set forth in Bylaw 15.02.6 (and must be included in determining if the student- athlete’s cost of attendance has been met); (b) A postgraduate scholarship awarded by an institution in accordance with Bylaw 16.1.4.1.1; (c) Federal government grants awarded based on a student’s demonstrated financial need [e.g., Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant (SEOG)], regardless of whether the institution is responsible for select- ing the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient; (d) State government grants awarded based on a student’s demonstrated financial need, regardless of whether the institution is responsible for selecting the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient, provided the aid is administered in accordance with the federal methodology for determining a student’s financial need and has no rela- tionship to athletics ability. However, such aid is not exempt for purposes of determining a football or basketball student-athlete’s counter status pursuant to Bylaw 15.5.1.1; (e) State government merit-based grants, regardless of whether the institution is responsible for selecting the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient, provided the aid is awarded consistent with the criteria of Bylaws 15.5.3.2.2.1, 15.5.3.2.2.2 or 15.5.3.2.2.3 and has no relationship to athletics ability. However, such aid is not exempt for purposes of determining a football or basketball student-athlete’s counter status pursu- ant to Bylaw 15.5.1.1; and (f) Matching payments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program [see Bylaw 15.2.5.1-(e)]. 15.02.4.5 Exempted Government Grants. Government grants listed in Bylaw 15.2.5.1 shall not be in- cluded when determining the cost of attendance for a student-athlete. (Revised: 1/11/89, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.02.4.6 Operation Gold Grant. Funds administered by the U.S. Olympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold Grant program shall not be included when determining the cost of attendance for a student- athlete. (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.02.5 Full Grant-in-Aid. A full grant-in-aid is financial aid that consists of tuition and fees, room and board, and required course-related books. 15.02.6 Honorary Academic Award/Research Grant. An honorary academic award for outstanding academic achievement or a research grant is an award that meets the following criteria: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 10/28/04, 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08) (a) The award or grant is a standing scholarship award or an established research grant; (b) The basis for the award or grant shall be the candidate’s academic record at the awarding institution; (c) The award or grant shall be determined by competition among the students of a particular class or college of the institution. Competition for the award or grant may include additional objective criteria unrelated to athletics abilities (e.g., gender, race and ethnicity, financial need); and (d) The award or grant is included in determining if the student-athlete’s cost-of-attendance limitation has been met. 15.02.7 Period of Award. The period of award begins when the student-athlete receives any benefits as a part of the student’s grant-in-aid on the first day of classes for a particular academic term, or the first day of prac- tice, whichever is earlier, until the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement. An athletics grant-in-aid shall not be awarded in excess of the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility. (Revised: 10/27/11) 15.02.8 Recruited Student-Athlete. For purposes of Bylaw 15, a recruited student-athlete is a student- athlete who, as a prospective student-athlete: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Was provided an official visit to the institution’s campus; (b) Had an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with a member of the institution’s coaching staff (includ- ing a coach’s arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospective student-athlete or the prospec- tive student-athlete’s parents, relatives or legal guardians); or (c) Was issued a National Letter of Intent or a written offer of athletically related financial aid by the institution for a regular academic term. 15.02.9 Signature. For purposes of Bylaw 15, a signature includes an electronic authorization (e.g., elec- tronic signature). (Adopted: 3/5/12)
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15.1 Maximum Limit on Financial Aid—Individual. A student-athlete shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics if he or she receives financial aid that exceeds the value of the cost of attendance as defined in Bylaw 15.02.2. A student-athlete may receive insti- tutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) and educational expenses awarded per Bylaw 15.2.6.4 up to the value of a full grant-in-aid, plus any other financial aid up to the cost of attendance. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 5/26/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.1.1 Exception for Pell Grant. A student-athlete who receives a Pell Grant may receive financial aid equivalent to the limitation set forth in Bylaw 15.1 or the value of a full grant-in-aid plus the Pell Grant, whichever is greater. (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.1.2 Types of Aid Included in Limit. In determining whether a student-athlete’s financial aid exceeds the cost of attendance, all institutional financial aid (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) and all funds received from the fol- lowing and similar sources shall be included (see Bylaws 15.02.4.4, 15.02.4.5 and 15.02.4.6 for types of financial aid that are exempt from a student-athlete’s individual limit): (Revised: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) (a) Government Grants. Government grants for educational purposes, except for those listed in Bylaw 15.2.5; (b) Other Scholarships and Grants. Other outside scholarships or grants-in-aid; (Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) (c) Gifts. The value of gifts given to a student-athlete following completion of eligibility in appreciation for or recognition of the student-athlete’s athletics accomplishments; (d) Professional Sports Stipend. Any bonus or salary (no matter when received or contracted for) from a pro- fessional sports organization; (e) Athletics Participation Compensation. Any other income (no matter when received or contracted for) from participation in an athletics event (except funds that are administered by the U.S. Olympic Commit- tee pursuant to its Operation Gold Grant Program) unless eligibility has been exhausted in that sport; and (Revised: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94) (f) Loans. Loans, except legitimate loans that are based upon a regular repayment schedule, available to all stu- dents and administered on the same basis for all students. 15.1.3 Reduction When Excess Aid Is Awarded. In the event that a student-athlete’s financial aid from the sources listed in Bylaw 15.1.2, which includes institutional financial aid, will exceed the cost of attendance for the balance of the academic year, the institution shall reduce institutional financial aid so as not to exceed the cost of attendance. Payments credited to a student-athlete’s account that are not refundable by the institution to the scholarship office or other appropriate institutional agency shall not become the student’s obligation. (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.2 Elements of Financial Aid. 15.2.1 Tuition and Fees. An institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that includes the actual cost of tuition and required institutional fees. 15.2.1.1 Permissible Fees. A student-athlete may be awarded financial aid that covers the payment of fees for a course in which the student-athlete is enrolled, if the course is part of the institution’s regular curriculum (included in the institution’s catalog of classes), and the institution pays these same fees for other students en- rolled in the course who receive fees as a part of a grant-in-aid or scholarship. 15.2.1.2 Optional Fees. An institution may not pay fees for services offered on an optional basis to the student body in general. 15.2.1.3 Noninstitutional Fees and Expenses. Fees paid by an institution are confined to required insti- tutional fees and do not include noninstitutional fees or expenses (e.g., the cost of typing reports for student- athletes). 15.2.1.4 Fees and Related Expenses for Prospective Student-Athletes. An institution shall not waive, pay in advance or guarantee payment of the following expenses for a prospective student-athlete, unless such benefits generally conform to institutional policy as it applies to other prospective student-grantees: (a) The institution’s processing fee required prior to the admissions office’s evaluation of the prospective student-athlete’s application; (b) The orientation-counseling tests fee required of all incoming freshmen; (c) The preadmission academic testing fee; (d) Advance tuition payment or room deposit; (e) Damage deposits for dormitory rooms; (f) ROTC deposits for military equipment; or (g) Any other pre-enrollment fees required of prospective student-grantees.
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15.2.1.4.1 Fees Rebate. If the prospective student-athlete enrolls and is awarded financial aid covering institutional fees, the fees described in Bylaw 15.2.1.4-(a) through Bylaw 15.2.1.4-(d) may be rebated as a part of the institution’s regular fees. 15.2.2 Room and Board. An institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that includes the cost of room and board, based on the official allowance for a room as listed in the institution’s official publication (e.g., catalog) and a board allowance that consists of three meals per day or the institution’s maximum meal plan that is available to all students, whichever is greater. (Revised: 10/28/99 effective 8/1/00, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.2.2.1 Room and Board Stipend. An institution may provide the student-athlete an amount equal to the institution’s official on-campus room allowance as listed in its catalog, the average of the room costs of all of its students living on campus or the cost of room as calculated based on its policies and procedures for cal- culating the cost of attendance for all students. The institution also may provide the student-athlete an amount that is equivalent to the value of the maximum meal plan that is available to all students or the cost of meals as calculated based on its policies and procedures for calculating the cost of attendance for all students, excluding those meals provided as part of the training table. Meals provided on the training table shall be deducted at the regular cost figure from such a student-athlete’s board allowance. (Revised: 1/10/92, 11/12/97, 10/28/99 effective 8/1/00, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.2.2.1.1 Determination of Off-Campus Room Rates. An institution with several official on-cam- pus room rates listed in its catalog may use the average of the room cost for all students living on campus (based on a weighted average for all students who reside in on-campus facilities) or the cost of room as cal- culated based on its policies and procedures for calculating the cost of attendance for all students. (Revised: 11/12/97, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06) 15.2.2.1.2 Institution With No On-Campus Room and Board Facilities. If an institution does not provide an official dollar amount for room and board in its catalog and does not have on-campus student room and board facilities, the figure provided to student-athletes for off-campus student room and board shall be the amount determined by the institution’s office of financial aid as being commensurate with the average cost a student at that institution normally would incur living and eating in off-campus facilities. (Revised: 11/12/97) 15.2.2.1.3 Married Student Housing. Married student-athletes who live in noninstitutional housing are permitted to receive the same room and board allowance that is provided to married students with on-campus housing. If the institution does not provide on-campus room and board facilities for married students but has other on-campus dormitory facilities, it must use the provisions of Bylaw 15.2.2.1 in de- termining the amount of room-and-board expenses a married student-athlete who lives in noninstitutional facilities may receive. (Adopted: 1/10/92) 15.2.2.1.4 Cost-Free Apartment. It is permissible for the institution to arrange for a cost-free, off- campus apartment rather than to give a student-athlete an amount equal to the institution’s official room allowance (as listed in its catalog) or the cost of a room as calculated based on its policies and procedures for calculating the cost of attendance for all students, provided the apartment is not rented by the institu- tion at a reduced rate. However, if the actual rental rate is more than the institutional room allowance, the student-athlete shall pay the additional amount from the student-athlete’s own resources. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06) 15.2.2.1.5 Training-Table Meals. The cost of meals provided on the institution’s training table shall be deducted from a student-athlete’s board allowance, even if the student-athlete is not receiving a full grant- in-aid. In determining the cost figure to be deducted, the institution may use the actual meal costs listed in the institution’s catalog or the average meal costs of its student-athletes living on campus. 15.2.2.1.6 Meals Incidental to Participation. The cost of meals and snacks provided as benefits in- cidental to participation in intercollegiate athletics need not be deducted from a student-athlete’s board allowance. Such meals and snacks also may be received by a student-athlete who is not receiving athletically related financial aid inasmuch as they constitute a benefit incidental to athletics participation [see Bylaw 16.5.2-(d)]. (Revised: 4/24/14) 15.2.2.2 Facility Designated by Institution. It is permissible for the institution to require a grant-in-aid recipient to obtain room and board in a facility designated by the institution, provided the requirement is con- tained in the written statement outlining the amount, duration, conditions and terms of the financial aid agree- ment (see Bylaw 15.3.2.2). 15.2.2.3 Summer Dormitory Rentals. An institution may rent dormitory space to a prospective or enrolled student-athlete during the summer months at the regular institutional rate, if it is the institution’s policy to make such dormitory space available on the same basis to all prospective or enrolled students. 15.2.2.4 Food Stamps. A grant-in-aid recipient who lives and eats off campus may use the money provided for his or her board to obtain governmental food stamps, provided the stamps are available to the student body in general. Additionally, the student-athlete must be eligible for such stamps without any special arrangements on the part of athletics department personnel or representatives of the institution’s athletics interests.
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15.2.3 Books. A member institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that covers the actual cost of required course-related books. [R] (Revised: 4/24/03 effective 8/1/03) 15.2.3.1 Dollar Limit. There is no dollar limit for books a student-athlete may receive, provided each book is required for a course in which the student-athlete is enrolled. The institution may provide the student-athlete with cash to purchase books, as long as the amount of cash provided is equal to the actual cost of the books purchased. [R] (Revised: 4/24/03 effective 8/1/03) 15.2.4 Other Expenses Related to Attendance. An institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that covers other expenses related to attendance in combination with other permissible elements of financial aid (per Bylaw 15.2) up to the cost of attendance (see Bylaws 15.02.2 and 15.1). (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, Revised: 5/26/09) 15.2.5 Government Grants. Government grants for educational purposes shall be included when deter- mining the permissible amount of the cost of attendance for a student-athlete, except for those listed in Bylaw 15.2.5.1. (Revised: 1/11/89, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 4/21/05) 15.2.5.1 Exempted Government Grants. The following government grants for educational purposes shall not be included when determining the permissible amount of the cost of attendance of a student-athlete: (Ad- opted: 1/11/89, Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 1/10/05) (a) AmeriCorps Program. Benefits received by student-athletes under the AmeriCorps Program; (Adopted: 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) (b) Disabled Veterans. State government awards to disabled veterans; (Adopted: 4/28/05) (c) Military Reserve Training Programs. Payments to student-athletes for participation in military re- serve training programs; (d) Montgomery G.I. Bill. Benefits received by student-athletes under the Montgomery Bill—Active Duty and the Montgomery G.I. Bill—Selected Reserve; (e) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Benefits received under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, including matching payments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Pro- gram. [Contributions made by the institution pursuant to the Yellow Ribbon Program are institutional financial aid (see Bylaws 15.02.4.2 and 15.02.4.4)]; (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (f) Special U.S. Government Entitlement Programs. Payments by the U.S. government under the terms of the Dependents Education Assistance Program (DEAP), Social Security Insurance Program [including the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)] or Non-Service-Connected Veteran’s Death Pension Program; (g) U.S. Military Annuitant Pay. United States Military Annuitant Pay or other family member service- related death benefits received by student-athletes from the United States Military. (Adopted: 1/10/05) (h) U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program. Benefits received by student-athletes under the U.S. Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC); (Adopted: 4/26/01) (i) Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). Benefits received by student-athletes under the VEAP; (j) Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans Program. Benefits received by student- athletes under the Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans Program; or (k) Welfare Benefits. Welfare benefits received from a state or federal government. (Adopted: 1/14/97 effec- tive 8/1/97) 15.2.6 Financial Aid From Outside Sources. 15.2.6.1 Parents and Legal Guardians. A student-athlete may receive financial aid from anyone upon whom the student-athlete is naturally or legally dependent. 15.2.6.1.1 Prepaid College Tuition Plans. A state-sponsored or private prepaid college tuition plan, purchased by a family member and paid to an institution on behalf of a student-athlete, is not considered aid from an outside source. Such aid is considered financial aid from someone upon whom the student- athlete is naturally or legally dependent. (Revised: 6/10/04) 15.2.6.2 No Relationship to Athletics Ability. A student-athlete may receive financial aid awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability. 15.2.6.3 Financial Aid From an Established and Continuing Program. A student-athlete may receive financial aid through an established and continuing program to aid students, provided: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effec- tive 8/1/11, Revised: 4/23/14) (a) The recipient’s choice of institutions is not restricted by the donor of the aid; (b) There is no direct connection between the donor and the student-athlete’s institution; and (c) The financial aid is not provided by an outside sports team or organization that conducts a competitive sports program to an individual who is or has been a member of that team or organization.
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15.2.6.4 Educational Expenses—U.S. Olympic Committee or U.S. National Governing Body. A student-athlete may receive educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country). The amount of the financial assistance shall be subject to the following limitations: (Adopted: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, Revised: 10/28/97 effective 8/1/98, 4/22/98, 11/1/00) (a) Disbursement of the aid shall be through the member institution for the recipient’s educational expenses while attending that institution; (b) The recipient’s choice of institutions shall not be restricted by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent orga- nization of a foreign country); (c) The value of the award alone or in combination with other aid per Bylaw 15.1.2 shall not exceed the value of a full grant-in-aid; and (d) The recipient shall be considered a counter per Bylaw 15.5.1, and the amount shall be applied to the maximum awards limitation of Bylaw 15.5 for the sport in question. 15.2.7 Employment. Earnings from a student-athlete’s on- or off-campus employment that occurs at any time is exempt and is not counted in determining a student-athlete’s cost of attendance or in the institution’s financial aid limitations, provided: (Revised: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) (a) The student-athlete’s compensation does not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student- athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she has obtained because of athletics ability; (b) The student-athlete is compensated only for work actually performed; and (c) The student-athlete is compensated at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services (see Bylaw 12.4). 15.2.8 Summer Financial Aid. Summer financial aid may be awarded only to attend the awarding institu- tion’s summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program, provided the following conditions are met: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/10/92) (a) The student has been in residence a minimum of one term during the regular academic year; (b) The student is attending a summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program and financial aid is administered pursuant to Bylaw 15.2.8.1.2, 15.2.8.1.3 or 15.2.8.1.4; or (c) The student is a two-year or a four-year college transfer student and is receiving aid to attend the awarding institution’s summer-orientation program. 15.2.8.1 General Stipulations. A student-athlete who is eligible for institutional financial aid during the summer is not required to be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies. However, the student-athlete may not receive financial aid that exceeds the cost of attendance in that summer term. A student-athlete may receive institutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaws 15.02.4.1 and 15.02.4.2) and educational expenses awarded (per Bylaw 15.2.6.4) up to the value of a full grant-in-aid, plus any other financial aid up to the cost of attendance. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 5/26/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.2.8.1.1 Exception for Pell Grant. A student-athlete who receives a Pell Grant may receive financial aid equivalent to the limitation set forth in Bylaw 15.2.8.1 or the value of a full grant-in-aid plus the Pell Grant, whichever is greater. (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.2.8.1.2 Enrolled Student-Athletes. After initial full-time enrollment during a regular academic year, a student-athlete shall not receive athletically related financial aid to attend the certifying institution’s summer term or summer school unless the student-athlete received such athletically related aid from the certifying institution during the student-athlete’s previous academic year at that institution. Further, such aid may be awarded only in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid received by the student-athlete during the student-athlete’s previous academic year at the certifying institution. The pro- portionality restriction shall not apply to a student-athlete who has exhausted his or her eligibility and is enrolled in course work acceptable toward his or her degree requirements. (Adopted: 1/10/90 effective 8/1/90, Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 11/12/97, 4/26/12) 15.2.8.1.2.1 Attendance During Only One Term of Previous Academic Year. A student-ath- lete who attended the institution on a full-time basis for only one regular term during the previous academic year may receive the same percentage of financial aid during the following summer term that the student-athlete received during the term in which the student-athlete was enrolled on a full-time basis. (Adopted: 1/10/92) 15.2.8.1.2.2 Multiple Summer Sessions. An institution that conducts multiple summer sessions may not award athletically related financial aid to attend any one session that exceeds the proportion of the amount of athletically related financial aid received by the student-athlete during the previous academic year. (Adopted: 1/10/92)
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15.2.8.1.2.3 Effect of Reduction When Excess Aid is Awarded. If an institution provides a student-athlete with a full athletics grant during the academic year but is required to reduce the grant in accordance with Bylaw 15.1.3 (reduction when excess aid is awarded), the institution may provide the student-athlete full athletically related financial aid to attend the institution’s summer term. 15.2.8.1.2.4 Exception for Nonqualifiers. A nonqualifier may receive athletically related finan- cial aid to attend an institution’s summer term or summer school after the first academic year in resi- dence under the following conditions: (Adopted: 1/10/92, Revised: 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97) (a) The student-athlete has satisfied progress-toward-degree requirements and, thus, would be eli- gible for competition for the succeeding year (the student-athlete must have successfully satisfied the applicable requirements of Bylaw 14.4.3 and be in good academic standing at the institution); (b) The student-athlete has been awarded athletically related financial aid for the succeeding aca- demic year; and (c) The student-athlete receives athletically related financial aid to attend the institution’s summer term or summer school only in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid the student will receive for the succeeding year. 15.2.8.1.2.5 Exception for First-Time Recipient in the Next Academic Year. A student-athlete who has not received athletically related aid from the certifying institution during a previous academic year may receive athletically related financial aid to attend the institution’s summer term or summer school under the following conditions: (Adopted: 1/15/11) (a) The student-athlete has been awarded athletically related financial aid for the following aca- demic year; and (b) The aid is awarded only in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid the student will receive for the following academic year. 15.2.8.1.3 Prior to Initial, Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment—Institutional Nonathletics Aid. The following conditions apply to the awarding of institutional nonathletics financial aid to a prospec- tive student-athlete to attend an institution in the summer prior to the prospective student-athlete’s initial, full-time collegiate enrollment: [D] (Adopted: 1/10/90, Revised: 1/10/92, 4/26/01, 3/10/04, 4/29/04, 1/10/05 effective 5/1/05, 3/14/05, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/14/12, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) (a) The recipient shall be admitted to the awarding member institution in accordance with regular, pub- lished entrance requirements; (b) The recipient, if recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8), is subject to NCAA transfer provisions pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2-(h); and (c) During the summer term or orientation period, the recipient shall not engage in any countable ath- letically related activities except for those activities specifically permitted in Bylaws 13 and 17 (see Bylaws 13.11.3.9, 17.1.1 and 17.1.1.1). 15.2.8.1.4 Prior to Initial Full-Time Enrollment at the Certifying Institution—Athletics Aid. The following conditions apply to the awarding of athletically related financial aid to a prospective student-ath- lete (including a prospective student-athlete not certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center as a qualifier) to attend an institution in the summer prior to the prospective student’s initial, full-time enrollment at the cer- tifying institution (see also Bylaw 13.02.12.1): (Adopted: 4/27/00 effective 8/1/00, Revised: 9/6/00, 4/26/01, 3/10/04, 4/29/04, 1/10/05 effective 5/1/05, 3/14/05, 5/9/07, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/14/12) (a) The recipient shall be admitted to the awarding member institution in accordance with regular, pub- lished entrance requirements; (b) The recipient is enrolled in a minimum of six hours of academic course work (other than physical education activity courses) that is acceptable degree credit toward any of the institution’s degree programs. Remedial, tutorial and noncredit courses may be used to satisfy the minimum six-hour requirement, provided the courses are considered by the institution to be prerequisites for specific courses acceptable for any degree program and are given the same academic weight as other courses offered by the institution; (c) The recipient, if recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8), is subject to NCAA transfer provisions pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2-(h), unless admission to the institution as a full-time student is denied; (d) During the summer term or orientation period, the recipient shall not engage in any countable ath- letically related activities except for those activities specifically permitted in Bylaws 13 and 17 (see Bylaws 13.11.3.9, 17.1.1 and 17.1.1.1); and (e) Summer coursework is not used for the purpose of completing initial-eligibility or continuing-eligi- bility (transfer eligibility, progress-toward-degree) requirements. However, the hours earned during the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution may be used to satisfy the applicable progress-toward-degree requirements in following years (see Bylaw 14.4.3). 15.2.8.2 Branch School. An institution may not provide a student-athlete with financial aid to attend a sum- mer session at a branch campus of the institution.
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15.3 Terms and Conditions of Awarding Institutional Financial Aid. 15.3.1 Eligibility of Student-Athletes for Financial Aid. Institutional financial aid may be awarded for any term during which a student-athlete is in regular attendance as an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under Bylaw 12.8, or as a graduate eligible under Bylaw 14.6. (Revised: 10/27/11) 15.3.1.1 Applicable Requirements. A student-athlete must meet applicable NCAA (see Bylaw 14), confer- ence and institutional regulations to be eligible for institutional financial aid (see Bylaws 15.01.5 and 15.01.6). A violation of this bylaw that relates only to a violation of a conference rule shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such a violation shall not affect the student-athlete’s eligibility. (Re- vised: 10/27/06) 15.3.1.2 Withdrawal From Institution. A student-athlete who withdraws from the institution may not receive financial aid during the remainder of the term. 15.3.1.3 Retroactive Financial Aid. Institutional financial aid awarded to an enrolled student-athlete after the first day of classes in any term may not exceed the remaining room and board charges and educational ex- penses for that term and may not be made retroactive to the beginning of that term. 15.3.1.4 Institutional Financial Aid to Professional Athlete. It is permissible to award institutional fi- nancial aid to a student-athlete who is under contract to or currently receiving compensation from a professional sports organization in the same sport. A professional athlete in one sport may represent a member institution in a different sport and may receive institutional financial assistance in the second sport. (Revised: 8/11/98, 4/26/01, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 10/27/11) 15.3.2 Terms of Institutional Financial Aid Award. 15.3.2.1 Physical Condition of Student-Athlete. Financial aid awarded to a prospective student-athlete may not be conditioned on the recipient reporting in satisfactory physical condition. If a student-athlete has been accepted for admission and awarded financial aid, the institution shall be committed for the term of the original award, even if the student-athlete’s physical condition prevents him or her from participating in intercol- legiate athletics. 15.3.2.2 Written Statement Requirement. The institutional agency making a financial aid award for a regular academic year or multiple regular academic years shall give the recipient a written statement of the amount, duration, conditions and terms of the award. The chair of the regular committee or other agency for the awarding of financial aid to students generally, or the chair’s official designee, shall sign or electronically authorize (e.g., electronic signature) the written statement. The signature of the athletics director, attesting to the commit- tee’s award, does not satisfy this requirement. (Revised: 3/10/04, 7/26/12, 10/9/12) 15.3.2.3 Hearing Opportunity. The institution’s regular financial aid authority shall notify the student-ath- lete in writing of the opportunity for a hearing when institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability is to be reduced or canceled during the period of the award, or is reduced or not renewed for the following academic year. The institution shall have established reasonable procedures for promptly hearing such a request and shall not delegate the responsibility for conducting the hearing to the university’s athletics department or its faculty athletics committee. The written notification of the opportunity for a hearing shall include a copy of the institution’s established policies and procedures for conducting the required hearing, including the deadline by which a student-athlete must request such a hearing. (Revised: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06, 4/3/07, 4/23/08) 15.3.2.3.1 Reduction of a Multiyear Award. A reduction of a multiyear award shall occur if the re- newal period is for fewer years than the original agreement, unless the renewal includes the remaining years of the student-athlete’s eligibility in all sports (e.g., five-year period of eligibility) or if the average amount of aid provided per year in the renewal is less than the average amount of aid provided per year in the original agreement, including any increases during the period of the original award. (Adopted: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.2.3.2 Athletics Department Staff as Member of Committee. An institution’s athletics depart- ment staff member may be a member of a committee (other than an athletics department or faculty athletics committee) that conducts hearings related to the nonrenewal or reduction of a student-athlete’s financial aid. Under such circumstances, the athletics department staff member must be a standing member of the committee and may not serve as a member of a committee only for a specific student-athlete’s hearing. (Adopted: 4/3/07) 15.3.3 Period of Institutional Financial Aid Award. 15.3.3.1 Period of Award. If a student’s athletics ability is considered in any degree in awarding financial aid, such aid shall neither be awarded for a period less than one academic year nor for a period that would exceed the student’s five-year period of eligibility (see Bylaws 12.8 and 15.01.5). One-year grants-in-aid shall be awarded (as set forth in the written statement per Bylaw 15.3.2.2) in equal amounts for each term of the academic year. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.3.1.1 One-Year Period. An institution may award athletically related financial aid to a student- athlete for a period of less than one academic year only under the following circumstances: (Adopted: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06)
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(a) Midyear Enrollment. A student-athlete whose first full-time attendance at the certifying institution during a particular academic year occurs at midyear (e.g., the beginning of the second semester or second or third quarter of an academic year) may receive a financial aid award for the remainder of that academic year. (Revised: 5/9/06) (b) Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete may receive athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year, provided the student is in the final semester or final two quarters of his or her degree program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. (c) Graduated During Previous Academic Year and Will Exhaust Eligibility During the Follow- ing Fall Term. A student-athlete who graduated during the previous academic year (including sum- mer) and will exhaust his or her athletics eligibility during the following fall term may be awarded athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (d) One-Time Exception. One time during a student-athlete’s enrollment at the certifying institution he or she may be awarded athletics aid for less than a full academic year, provided the student-athlete has been enrolled full time at the certifying institution for at least one regular academic term and has not previously received athletically related financial aid from the certifying institution. (Revised: 5/19/09) (e) Eligibility Exhausted/Medical Noncounter. A student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility and is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.5) in the institution’s financial aid limit, or a student- athlete who is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.2) due to an injury or illness may receive athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year. If an institution awards aid under this provision, the institutional financial aid agreement shall include specific nonathletically related conditions (e.g., academic requirements) the student-athlete must satisfy in order for the aid to be renewed for the next academic term or terms. If the student-athlete satisfies the specified condi- tions, the institution shall award financial aid at the same amount for the next term or terms of the academic year. If the student-athlete does not satisfy the specified conditions, he or she must be provided a hearing opportunity per Bylaw 15.3.2.3. (Adopted: 4/24/08 effective 8/1/08) 15.3.3.1.2 Effect of Violation. A violation of Bylaw 15.3.3.1 in which financial aid is awarded for a period of less than one academic year shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete’s eligibility shall not be affected. (Adopted: 10/29/09) 15.3.3.2 Regular Academic Year vs. Summer Term. An institution may award financial aid to a student- athlete for one or more academic years or, pursuant to the exceptions set forth in Bylaw 15.3.3.1.1, part of one academic year. An institution also may award financial aid for a summer term or summer-orientation period, provided the conditions of Bylaw 15.2.8 have been met. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.3.2.1 Summer Term as Additional Award. It is necessary to make an additional award for a summer term; however, an institution is not required to provide the recipient with a written statement of the amount, duration, conditions or terms of the award. (Revised: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12, 7/26/12, 10/9/12) 15.3.4 Reduction or Cancellation During Period of Award. 15.3.4.1 Increase Permitted. Institutional financial aid may be increased for any reason at any time. (Ad- opted: 1/11/94, Revised: 2/26/03, 4/23/08, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.4.2 Reduction or Cancellation Permitted. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award if the recipient: (Revised: 1/10/92, 1/11/94, 1/10/95, 1/9/96, 12/13/05, 9/11/07) (a) Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition; (b) Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.3); (c) Engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.4); or (d) Voluntarily (on his or her own initiative) withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons; how- ever, the recipient’s financial aid may not be awarded to another student-athlete in the academic term in which the aid was reduced or canceled. A student-athlete’s request for written permission to contact another four-year collegiate institution regarding a possible transfer does not constitute a voluntary with- drawal. 15.3.4.2.1 Timing of Reduction or Cancellation. Any reduction or cancellation of aid during the period of the award may occur only after the student-athlete has been provided an opportunity for a hearing per Bylaw 15.3.2.3. (Adopted: 5/15/07, Revised: 4/23/08) 15.3.4.2.2 Nonathletically Related Conditions. An institutional financial aid agreement may in- clude nonathletically related conditions (e.g., compliance with academics policies or standards, compliance with athletics department rules or policies) by which the aid may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award. (Adopted: 4/23/08)
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15.3.4.2.3 Fraudulent Misrepresentation. If a student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid on the basis of declaring intention to participate in a particular sport by signing a letter of intent, application or tender, action on the part of the grantee not to participate (either by not reporting for practice or after making only token appearances as determined by the institution) would constitute fraudulent misrepre- sentation of information on the grantee’s application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement and would permit the institution to cancel or reduce the financial aid. (Revised: 1/11/94) 15.3.4.2.4 Misconduct. An institution may cancel or reduce the financial aid of a student-athlete who is found to have engaged in misconduct by the university’s regular student disciplinary authority, even if the loss-of-aid requirement does not apply to the student body in general. (Revised: 1/11/94) 15.3.4.2.5 Release of Obligation to Provide Athletically Related Financial Aid—One-Year Award. Before becoming a counter for an academic year pursuant to a one-year grant-in-aid, if a pro- spective student-athlete or student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid unrelated to athletics that is of equal or greater value than his or her signed award of athletically related financial aid, the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete may, on his or her initiative, release the institution of its obligation to provide the athletically related financial aid. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, Revised: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.4.3 Reduction or Cancellation Not Permitted. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may not be reduced or canceled during the period of its award: (Adopted: 1/16/93, Revised: 1/11/94, 12/11/07, 1/14/08) (a) On the basis of a student-athlete’s athletics ability, performance or contribution to a team’s success; (b) Because of an injury, illness, or physical or mental medical condition (except as permitted pursuant to Bylaw 15.3.4.2); or (c) For any other athletics reason. 15.3.4.3.1 Athletically Related Condition Prohibition. An institution may not set forth an athleti- cally related condition (e.g., financial aid contingent upon specified performance or playing a specific posi- tion) that would permit the institution to reduce or cancel the student-athlete’s financial aid during the period of the award if the conditions are not satisfied. (Adopted: 1/16/93, Revised: 1/11/94) 15.3.4.3.2 Decrease Not Permitted. An institution may not decrease a prospective student-athlete’s or a student-athlete’s financial aid from the time the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete signs the financial aid award letter until the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement, except under the conditions set forth in Bylaw 15.3.4.2. (Adopted: 1/11/94, Revised: 4/2/03 effective 8/1/03) 15.3.5 Renewals and Nonrenewals. 15.3.5.1 Institutional Obligation. The renewal of institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability shall be made on or before July 1 prior to the academic year in which it is to be effective. The institution shall promptly notify in writing each student-athlete who 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 (under Bylaw 12.8) 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. (Revised: 1/10/95) 15.3.5.2 Reconsideration of Nonrenewal. It is permissible for an institution that has notified a student- athlete that he or she will not be provided institutional financial aid for the next academic year subsequently to award financial aid to that student-athlete. 15.5 Maximum Institutional Grant-in-Aid Limitations by Sport. 15.5.1 Counters. A student-athlete shall be a counter and included in the maximum awards limitations set forth in this bylaw under the following conditions: (Revised: 6/10/04, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Athletics Aid. A student-athlete who receives financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability shall be- come a counter for the year during which the student-athlete receives the financial aid; or (b) Educational Expenses—Olympic Committee/National Governing Body. A student-athlete who re- ceives educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country) per Bylaw 15.2.6.4 shall become a counter for the year during which the student-athlete receives the aid. 15.5.1.1 Football or Basketball, Varsity Competition. In football or basketball, a student-athlete who was recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution and who receives institutional financial aid (as set forth in Bylaw 15.02.4.2) granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability does not have to be counted until the student-athlete engages in varsity intercollegiate competition (as opposed to freshman, B-team, subvar- sity, intramural or club competition) in those sports. (Revised: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93, 1/11/94, 6/20/04, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.5.1.1.1 Exception—Receipt of Institutional Academic Aid Only. In football or basketball, a student-athlete who was recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution and whose only source of institutional financial aid is academic aid based solely on the recipient’s academic record at the certifying
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institution, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, may compete without counting in the institution’s financial aid team limits, provided he or she has completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment at the certify- ing institution and has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.1.2 Counter Who Becomes Injured or Ill. A counter who becomes injured or ill to the point that he or she apparently never again will be able to participate in intercollegiate athletics shall not be considered a counter beginning with the academic year following the incapacitating injury or illness. 15.5.1.2.1 Incapacitating Injury or Illness. If an incapacitating injury or illness occurs prior to a pro- spective student-athlete’s or a student-athlete’s participation in athletically related activities and results in the student-athlete’s inability to compete ever again, the student-athlete shall not be counted within the institution’s maximum financial aid award limitations for the current, as well as later, academic years. How- ever, if the incapacitating injury or illness occurs on or after the student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically related activities in the sport, the student-athlete shall be counted in the institution’s maximum financial aid limitations for the current academic year but need not be counted in later academic years. (Adopted: 1/10/91, Revised: 3/26/04, 9/18/07) 15.5.1.2.2 Change in Circumstances. If circumstances change and the student-athlete subsequently practices or competes at the institution at which the incapacitating injury or illness occurred, the student- athlete again shall become a counter, and the institution shall be required to count that financial aid under the limitations of this bylaw in the sport in question during each academic year in which the financial aid was received. (Revised: 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01) 15.5.1.3 Aid Not Renewed, Successful Appeal. If an institution does not renew financial aid for a counter in a following year, and a hearing before the institution’s regular financial aid authority results in a successful appeal for restoration of aid, the student-athlete shall continue to be a counter if the individual continues to receive athletically related financial aid. However, the student-athlete shall 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 that institution, he or she will be considered to have been a coun- ter during each year the financial aid was received. 15.5.1.4 Cancellation of Aid. Once an individual becomes a counter in a head-count sport (see Bylaws 15.5.2, 15.5.4, 15.5.5, 15.5.6, 15.5.7 and 15.5.8), the individual normally continues as a counter for the re- mainder of the academic year. However, if he or she voluntarily withdraws from the team prior to the first day of classes or before the first contest of the season (whichever is earlier) and releases the institution from its obliga- tion to provide financial aid, the individual no longer would be considered a counter (see Bylaws 15.5.2.2 and 15.5.6.4.1). 15.5.1.5 Eligibility Exhausted. A student-athlete receiving institutional financial aid after having exhausted his or her eligibility in a sport is not a counter in that sport in later academic years following completion of eli- gibility in the sport. For this provision to be applicable, the student-athlete is otherwise eligible for the aid and is not permitted to take part in organized, institutional practice sessions in that sport unless the individual has eligibility remaining under the five-year rule. (See Bylaw 15.3.1 for eligibility for financial aid.) (Revised: 1/10/91) 15.5.1.5.1 Cross Country/Track and Field. A student-athlete who is awarded athletically related fi- nancial aid and who has exhausted eligibility in either cross country, indoor track and field, or outdoor track and field, but has eligibility remaining in any of the other sports, is not a counter in the cross country/track and field financial aid limitations, provided the student-athlete subsequently does not practice or compete in any of the sports that he or she has eligibility remaining in during the academic year in which the aid was awarded. (Adopted: 6/26/01 effective 8/1/01) 15.5.1.6 Aid After Departure of Head Coach—Men’s Basketball. In men’s basketball, a student-athlete who receives athletically related institutional financial aid in later academic years after the departure of a head coach from the institution is not a counter, provided: (Adopted: 4/29/10 effective 8/1/10) (a) The student-athlete participated in basketball and received athletically related institutional financial aid during the coach’s tenure at the institution; and (b) The student-athlete does not participate in basketball during the later academic years at the institution. 15.5.1.6.1 Later Participation. If the student-athlete later participates in basketball at the institution, the student-athlete shall become a counter for all years during which athletically related institutional aid was received. (Adopted: 4/29/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.1.7 Aid After Student-Athlete Becomes Permanently Ineligible. A student-athlete receiving in- stitutional financial aid after becoming permanently ineligible due to a violation of NCAA regulations (e.g., amateurism legislation) may receive athletics aid during later academic years without counting in the institution’s financial aid limitations, provided the student-athlete is otherwise eligible for the aid and does not practice or compete in intercollegiate athletics again. If circumstances change and the student-athlete practices or competes,
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the institution is required to count the financial aid received by the student-athlete during each academic year in which the aid was received (see Bylaw 15.3.1.4). (Adopted: 1/11/94) 15.5.1.8 Summer-Term Aid. Institutional financial aid received during a summer term is not countable in these limitations and does not make a student-athlete a counter. 15.5.1.8.1 Exception—Football. [FBS/FCS] In football, a prospective student-athlete who receives athletically related financial aid during a summer term prior to initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be an initial and overall counter for the ensuing academic year. (See Bylaws 15.02.3 and 15.5.6.) (Adopted: 1/14/12) 15.5.1.9 Offers Exceeding Maximum Allowable Awards. An institution may offer more than the maxi- mum number of permissible awards in a sport (per Bylaw 15.5) in anticipation that not all of the offers will be accepted, but the institution shall not exceed the awards limitation in the sport in question. 15.5.1.9.1 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Sign- ings—Bowl Subdivision Football. [FBS] In bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institu- tional offer of financial aid from December 1 through May 31. (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10, Revised: 1/14/12 effective 8/1/12) 15.5.1.9.1.1 Exception—Counter During Same Academic Year. [FBS] A prospective student- athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and becomes an initial counter for the same academic year in which the signing occurred (e.g., midyear enrollee) shall not count toward the annual limit on signings. (Adopted: 1/14/12 effective 8/1/12) 15.5.2 Head-Count Sports Other Than Football and Basketball. 15.5.2.1 Maximum Limits. An institution shall be limited in any academic year to the total number of counters (head count) in each of the following sports: (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) Women’s Gymnastics ............12 Women’s Tennis ......................8 Women’s Volleyball ...............12 15.5.2.2 Voluntary Withdrawal. An institution may replace a counter who voluntarily withdraws from the team in a head-count sport by providing the financial aid to another student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team. For this replacement to occur, the counter must withdraw prior to the first day of classes or before the first game of the season, whichever is earlier, and release the institution from its obligation to provide financial aid. The institution may not award the financial aid to another student-athlete in the academic term in which the aid was reduced or canceled. Further, if the financial aid is canceled before a regular academic term (e.g., preseason practice period), the aid may not be provided to another student-athlete during the ensuing academic term. 15.5.2.3 Midyear Replacement—Women’s Volleyball. In women’s volleyball, the financial aid of a counter who graduates at midyear or who graduates during the previous academic year (including summer) may be provided to another student-athlete without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year. (Adopted: 1/11/89, Revised: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.2.4 Midyear Graduate Replacement—Women’s Gymnastics and Women’s Tennis. In women’s gymnastics and women’s tennis, the financial aid of a counter who graduates at midyear with eligibility remain- ing and who does not return to the institution for the following academic term may be provided to another student-athlete without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of the academic year. (Adopted: 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07) 15.5.3 Equivalency Sports. 15.5.3.1 Maximum Equivalency Limits. 15.5.3.1.1 Men’s Sports. There shall be a limit on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in the following men’s sports: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93, 4/26/07 effective 8/1/08) Cross Country/ Track and Field .........12.6 Fencing ..............................4.5 Golf ...................................4.5 Gymnastics ........................6.3 Lacrosse ...........................12.6 Rifle ...................................3.6 Skiing ................................6.3 Soccer ................................9.9 Swimming and Diving .......9.9 Tennis ................................4.5 Volleyball ...........................4.5 Water Polo .........................4.5 Wrestling ...........................9.9 15.5.3.1.2 Women’s Sports. There shall be a limit on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in the following women’s sports: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92 effective 8/1/94, 1/16/93, 1/11/94 effective 9/1/94, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 11/1/01 effective 8/1/02, 4/28/05 effective 8/1/05, 4/28/05 effective 8/1/06, 1/17/09 effective 8/1/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14)
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Bowling ................................5 Cross Country/ Track and Field ............18 Equestrian ..........................15 Fencing .................................5 Field Hockey ......................12 Golf ......................................6 Lacrosse ..............................12 Rowing ...............................20 Rugby .................................12
Skiing ...................................7 Soccer .................................14 Softball ...............................12 Swimming and Diving ........14 Triathlon .......3.5 for 2014-15; 4.5 for 2015-16; 5.5 for 2016-17; and 6.5 for 2017-18 and thereafter. Water Polo ............................8
15.5.3.1.3 Maximum Equivalency Limits—Institutions That Sponsor Cross Country but Do Not Sponsor Track and Field. There shall be a limit of five on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in men’s cross country, if the institution does not sponsor indoor or outdoor track and field for men. There shall be a limit of six on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in women’s cross country, if the institution does not sponsor indoor or outdoor track and field for women. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 9/1/94, Revised: 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) 15.5.3.2 Equivalency Computations. In equivalency sports, each institutional financial aid award (per By- law 15.02.4.2) to a counter shall be computed as follows: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 10/20/08) (a) Once a student becomes a counter, the institution shall count all institutional aid (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) received for room, board, tuition and fees, and books up to the value of a full grant-in-aid. Exempted government grants per Bylaw 15.2.5 and exempted institutional aid per Bylaw 15.02.4.4 specifically are excluded from this computation. (b) A fraction shall be created, with the amount received by the student-athlete (up to the value of a full grant-in-aid) as the numerator and the full grant-in-aid value for that student-athlete as the denominator based on the actual cost or average cost of a full grant for all students at that institution. Financial aid unrelated to athletics ability (see Bylaw 15.1) received by the student-athlete in excess of a full grant-in- aid shall not be included in this computation. (c) The sum of all fractional and maximum awards received by counters shall not exceed the total limit for the sport in question for the academic year as a whole. 15.5.3.2.1 Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements shall apply to equiva- lency computations: (Revised: 10/20/08, 1/15/11, 10/18/11, 4/17/12 effective 8/1/12) (a) An institution may use either the actual cost or average cost of any or all of the elements (other than books) of the equivalency calculation (room, board, tuition and fees), provided the same method is used in both the numerator and denominator for each element. Either method (or different combi- nations of methods among elements) may be used for each student-athlete on the same team or for separate teams generally. (b) In computing equivalencies for tuition and fees, it is not permissible to average the value of in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees to determine an average cost for tuition and fees. (c) Books shall count for calculation purposes as $800 in the denominator. If a student-athlete receives any portion of a book allowance for the academic year, the institution must use $800 in the de- nominator and numerator for books, regardless of the actual cost of the books. If a student-athlete is enrolled for less than a full academic year (e.g., one semester, one or two quarters) and receives any portion of a book allowance, the institution must use the amount in the numerator that is propor- tionate to the number of terms of enrollment ($400 for semester systems, $534 or $267 for quarter systems). 15.5.3.2.2 Exceptions. 15.5.3.2.2.1 Academic Honor Awards—Based on High School Record. Academic honor awards that are part of an institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships, based solely on the recipient’s high school record and awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by institutions, are exempt from an institution’s equivalency computation, provided the recipient was ranked in the upper 10 percent of the high school graduating class or achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.500 (based on a maximum of 4.000) or a minimum ACT sum score of 105 or a minimum SAT score of 1200 (critical reading and math). (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99, Revised: 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.3.2.2.1.1 Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements shall be met: (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14)
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(a) The awards may include additional, nonacademic criteria (e.g., interviews, essays, need analysis), provided the additional criteria are not based on athletics ability, participation or interests, and the awards are consistent with the pattern of all such awards provided to all students; (b) No quota of awards shall be designated for student-athletes; (c) Athletics participation shall not be required before or after collegiate enrollment; (d) No athletics department staff member shall be involved in designating the recipients of such awards; and (e) Any additional criteria shall not include athletics ability, participation or interests. 15.5.3.2.2.1.2 Renewals. The renewal of an academic honor award (per Bylaw 15.5.3.2.2.1) may be exempted from an institution’s equivalency computation regardless of whether the re- cipient qualified for exemption in his or her initial academic year enrollment, provided: (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99, Revised: 3/18/10) (a) The recipient achieves a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maxi- mum of 4.000) at the certifying institution; and (b) The recipient meets all NCAA, conference and institutional progress-toward-degree re- quirements. 15.5.3.2.2.2 Academic Honor Awards—Transfer Students. Academic honor awards that are part of an institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships, either based solely on the recipi- ent’s cumulative academic record from all collegiate institutions previously attended or based on the recipient’s high school record and cumulative academic record from all collegiate institutions previously attended, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, may be exempted from a team’s equivalency computation, pro- vided the recipient achieved a cumulative transferable grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maximum of 4.000). (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10, Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.3.2.2.2.1 Calculation of Grade-Point Average. Grades earned in all courses that are normally transferable to an institution shall be considered in determining the grade-point average for meeting this exception, regardless of the grade earned or whether such grade makes the course unacceptable for transferable-degree credit. (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.3.2.2.2.2 Renewals. The renewal of an academic honor award (per Bylaw 15.5.3.2.2.2) may be exempted from an institution’s equivalency computation, provided: (Adopted: 1/16/10 ef- fective 8/1/10) (a) The recipient achieves a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maxi- mum of 4.000) at the certifying institution; and (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (b) The recipient meets all NCAA, conference and institutional progress-toward-degree re- quirements. 15.5.3.2.2.3 Institutional Academic Scholarships. Institutional academic scholarships that are part of an institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships, based solely on the recipi- ent’s academic record at the certifying institution, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, are exempt from an institution’s equivalency computation, provided the recipient has completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution and has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.3.2.3 Cancellation of Athletically Related Aid. If a student-athlete is dismissed from or volun- tarily withdraws from a team and his or her athletically related financial aid is canceled (see Bylaws 15.3.2.3 and 15.3.4.2) during an academic term, all other countable financial aid the student-athlete receives dur- ing the remainder of the term is countable toward the student-athlete’s equivalency for the academic year; however, the institution is not required to count other countable financial aid toward the student-athlete’s equivalency during any remaining terms of the academic year. If a student-athlete is dismissed from or voluntarily withdraws from a team and his or her athletically related financial aid is canceled at the end of an academic term, the institution is not required to count other countable financial aid toward the student- athlete’s equivalency during any remaining terms of the academic year. (Adopted: 12/13/05) 15.5.4 Baseball Limitations. There shall be an annual limit of 11.7 on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) to counters and an annual limit of 27 on the total number of counters in baseball at each institu- tion. (Adopted: 4/26/07 effective 8/1/08) 15.5.4.1 Minimum Equivalency Value. An institution shall provide each counter athletically related and other countable financial aid that is equal to or greater than 25 percent of an equivalency. (Adopted: 4/26/07 ef- fective 8/1/08 for student-athletes who initially enroll full time at any four-year collegiate institution on or after 8/1/08, Revised: 8/9/07)
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15.5.4.1.1 Exception—Need-Based Athletics Aid Only. In baseball, an institution that awards ath- letically related financial aid based solely on demonstrated financial need, as determined for all students by the institution’s financial aid office using methodologies that conform to federal, state and written insti- tutional guidelines (including institutional financial aid that is considered athletically related financial aid based on the intervention of athletics department staff), is not subject to the 25 percent minimum equiva- lency value per counter. (Adopted: 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08) 15.5.4.1.2 Exception—Final Year of Eligibility and Not Previously Aided. An institution may provide less than 25 percent of an equivalency to a student-athlete, provided the student-athlete is in the final year of eligibility and has not previously received athletically related financial aid in baseball at any col- legiate institution. (Adopted: 4/26/12 effective 8/1/12, 8/20/12) 15.5.5 Basketball Limitations. 15.5.5.1 Men’s Basketball. There shall be a limit of 13 on the total number of counters in men’s basketball at each institution. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, Revised: 4/27/00 effective 8/1/01, 11/01/01, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.5.5.2 Women’s Basketball. There shall be an annual limit of 15 on the total number of counters in wom- en’s basketball at each institution. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, Revised: 1/10/92 effective 8/1/93, 1/16/93) 15.5.6 Football Limitations. 15.5.6.1 Bowl Subdivision Football. [FBS] There shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of initial counters (per Bylaw 15.02.3.1) and an annual limit of 85 on the total number of counters (including initial counters) in football at each institution. (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 12/15/06) 15.5.6.2 Championship Subdivision Football. [FCSD] There shall be an annual limit of 30 on the num- ber of initial counters (per Bylaw 15.02.3.1), an annual limit of 63 on the value of financial aid awards (equiva- lencies) to counters, and an annual limit of 85 on the total number of counters (including initial counters) in football at each Football Championship Subdivision institution. (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 12/15/06) 15.5.6.2.1 Exception—Championship Subdivision. [FCS] Championship subdivision football pro- grams that meet the following criteria are exempt from the championship subdivision football counter and initial-counter requirements of Bylaws 15.5.1 and 15.5.6, regardless of multi-sport student-athletes who receive athletics aid in a sport(s) other than football: (Revised: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94, 1/10/95, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 12/15/06) (a) In football, the institution awards financial aid only to student-athletes who demonstrate financial need, except loans, academic honor awards, nonathletics achievement awards, or certain aid from outside sources may be provided without regard to financial need; (b) The institution uses methodologies for analyzing need that conform to federal, state and written institutional guidelines. The methodologies used to determine the need of a student-athlete must be consistent with the methodologies used by the institution’s financial aid office for all students; and (c) The composition of the financial aid package offered to football student-athletes is consistent with the policy established for offering financial assistance to all students. The financial aid packages for football student-athletes also shall meet the following criteria: (1) The institution shall not consider athletics ability as a criterion in the formulation of any football student-athlete’s financial aid package; and (2) The procedures used to award financial aid to football student-athletes must be the same as the existing financial aid procedures used for all students at the institution. 15.5.6.3 Initial Counters—Football (Also see Bylaw 15.02.3.1). 15.5.6.3.1 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering in Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters in the fall term and receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) during the first academic year in residence shall be an initial counter for that year in football. Therefore, such aid shall not be awarded if the institution has reached its limit on the number of initial counters prior to the award of institutional financial aid to the student-athlete. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.2 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering After Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters after the first term of the academic year and immediately receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) shall be an initial counter for either the current academic year (if the institution’s annual limit has not been reached) or the next academic year. The student-athlete shall be included in the institution’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.3 Recruited Student-Athlete, Aid Received After First Year. [FBS/FCS] A recruited stu- dent-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8) (including a student-athlete who was not a qualifier) who first receives athletically related financial aid after the student-athlete’s first academic year in residence shall be an initial counter for that academic year in which the aid is first received, if such aid is received during the fall term. However, such a student-athlete who first receives athletically related financial aid in the second or third
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term of an academic year may be considered an initial counter during the academic year in which aid was first received or the next academic year. In either case, the student-athlete shall be included in the institu- tion’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/3/06, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.4 Nonrecruited Student-Athlete Receiving Institutional Financial Aid. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete not recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the institution who receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) after beginning football practice becomes a counter but need not be counted as an initial counter until the next academic year if the institution has reached its initial limit for the year in question. However, the student-athlete shall be considered in the total counter limit for the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.5 Midyear Replacement. [FBS/FCS] A counter who graduates at midyear or who graduates during the previous academic year (including summer) may be replaced by an initial counter, who shall be counted against the initial limit either for the year in which the aid is awarded (if the institution’s annual limit has not been reached) or for the following academic year, or by a student-athlete who was an initial counter in a previous academic year and is returning to the institution after time spent on active duty in the armed services or on an official religious mission. In bowl subdivision football, an institution may use the midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid during that academic year to the maximum number of overall counters (85 total counters). In championship subdivision football, an institution may use the midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid during that academic year that equals the maximum number of overall equivalencies or overall counters. (Revised: 4/20/99 effective 8/1/99, 6/8/99, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 8/2/05, 12/15/06, 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, 4/2/10, 1/15/11) 15.5.6.3.6 Aid First Awarded After Second Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who has been in resi- dence at the certifying institution for at least two academic years may receive athletically related financial aid for the first time without such aid counting as an initial award, provided the aid falls within the overall grant limitation. (Adopted: 1/11/89, Revised: 1/10/90 effective 8/1/90) 15.5.6.3.7 Recruited Student-Athlete, Varsity Competition. [FBS/FCS] In accordance with Bylaw 15.5.1.1, a recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8) receiving institutional financial aid having been granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability becomes an initial counter in the first academic year in which the student-athlete competes on the varsity level. (See Bylaw 15.5.1.1.1.) (Revised: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.5.6.3.8 Returning Two-Year Transfer. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who previously was an initial counter and who transferred to a two-year college shall not be an initial counter upon return to the original institution. 15.5.6.3.9 Delayed Initial Counter Who Does Not Return to School. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who receives countable financial aid but whose status as an initial counter under this bylaw is delayed until the following academic year shall be counted against the initial limit the following academic year, regard- less of whether the student-athlete reports for participation or attends the institution in that academic year. 15.5.6.4 Exceptions. 15.5.6.4.1 Voluntary Withdrawal. [FBS/FCS] An institution may replace a counter who voluntarily withdraws from the football team by providing the financial aid to another student who already has en- rolled in the institution and is a member of the football squad. For this replacement to occur, the counter must withdraw prior to the first day of classes or before the first game of the season, whichever is earlier, and provide the institution with a signed statement releasing the institution from its obligation to provide institutional financial aid and verifying the voluntary nature of the withdrawal. The institution may imme- diately (beginning with the fall term) award the financial aid to a student-athlete who has been a member of the team for at least one academic year and has not previously received athletically related financial aid. A student-athlete who has not been a member of the team for at least one academic year may not receive the financial aid during the fall term, but may receive it in a following term (e.g., spring semester, winter quarter). (Revised: 4/28/05 effective 8/1/05) 15.5.6.4.2 Sprint Football. [FBS/FCS] Participants in sprint football programs who do not participate in the institution’s regular varsity intercollegiate program shall not be counted in the institution’s financial aid limitations. 15.5.7 Ice Hockey Limitations. There shall be an annual limit of 18 on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) to counters and an annual limit of 30 on the total number of counters in ice hockey at each institu- tion. (Adopted: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93) 15.5.8 Women’s Sand Volleyball Limitations. 15.5.8.1 Institutions That Sponsor Women’s Sand Volleyball and Women’s Volleyball. If an institu- tion sponsors women’s sand volleyball and women’s volleyball, there shall be an annual limit of six on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) provided to counters and an annual limit of 14 on the total number of counters in women’s sand volleyball. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)
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15.5.8.2 Institutions That Sponsor Women’s Sand Volleyball but Do Not Sponsor Women’s Volley- ball. If an institution does not sponsor women’s volleyball, there shall be an annual limit of eight on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) provided to counters and an annual limit of 14 on the total number of counters in women’s sand volleyball. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.9 Multisport Participants. 15.5.9.1 Football. [FBS/FCS] In football, a counter who was recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) and/or offered financial aid to participate in football and who participates (practices or competes) in football and one or more sports (including basketball) shall be counted in football. A counter who was not recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) and/or offered financial aid to participate in football and who competes in football and one or more sports (in- cluding basketball) shall be counted in football. (Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.9.1.1 Initial Counter. [FBS/FCS] A counter who previously has not been counted in football shall be considered an initial counter even though the student-athlete already has received countable financial aid in another sport. 15.5.9.1.2 Championship Subdivision Football Exception. [FCS] A counter who practices or com- petes in football at a Football Championship Subdivision institution that elects to use the football counter and initial-counter exception set forth in Bylaw 15.5.6.2.1 and who practices or competes in another sport and receives countable financial aid in another sport shall be counted in the institution’s financial aid limita- tions in the other sport. (Adopted: 1/10/95, Revised: 12/15/06) 15.5.9.2 Basketball. A counter who practices or competes in basketball and one or more other sports (other than football) shall be counted in basketball. 15.5.9.3 Ice Hockey, Men’s. A counter who practices or competes in men’s ice hockey and one or more other sports (other than football or basketball) shall be counted in men’s ice hockey. (Adopted: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93) 15.5.9.4 Swimming and Diving/Water Polo, Men’s. A counter who practices or competes in both men’s swimming and diving and men’s water polo at a member institution shall be counted in men’s swimming and diving, unless he counts in football or basketball. 15.5.9.5 Volleyball, Women’s. A counter who practices or competes in women’s volleyball and one or more other sports (other than basketball) shall be counted in women’s volleyball. 15.5.9.5.1 Participation in Women’s Volleyball in Second Year of Enrollment After Counter Status in Women’s Sand Volleyball in First Year of Enrollment. A student-athlete who was a coun- ter in women’s sand volleyball during her initial year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution and participates (practices and competes) in women’s volleyball during her second year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be a counter in women’s volleyball for her initial year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.9.6 Two-Year Exception. If an individual has participated in a sport other than basketball, field hockey or women’s volleyball for two years or more since the individual’s initial collegiate enrollment and would be in- volved only in basketball, field hockey or women’s volleyball practice sessions, such a student would not become a counter in those sports until the student actually competes as a member of that institution’s intercollegiate team, at either the varsity or junior varsity level. (Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) 15.5.9.7 Other Sports. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a counter who participates in two or more sports shall be counted in one of the sports but shall not be counted in the others. 15.5.9.7.1 Requirement to Qualify as Multisport Athlete. To be considered a multisport athlete under this section, an individual must meet all of the following requirements: (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) The individual shall report and participate fully in regularly organized practice with each squad; (b) The individual shall participate where qualified in actual competition in each sport; (c) The individual shall be a member of each squad for the entire playing and practice season; and (d) If a recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8), the individual shall have been earnestly recruited to participate in the sport in which financial aid is counted (the institution recruiting the student- athlete shall have a reasonable basis to believe that the student-athlete is capable of participating in the institution’s varsity intercollegiate program in that sport, including documentation of a record of previous participation in organized competition in the sport that supports the student-athlete’s potential to participate in that sport in varsity intercollegiate competition). 15.5.10 Changes in Participation. If a student-athlete changes sports during an academic year, the stu- dent-athlete’s financial aid shall be counted in the maximum limitations for the first sport for the remainder of the academic year. If the student-athlete continues to receive financial aid, the award shall be counted the next aca- demic year against the maximum limitations in the second sport. A student-athlete shall be counted as an initial counter in football during the year in which the student-athlete first becomes countable in that sport, regardless of whether countable financial aid was received previously for another sport. (Revised: 4/3/02)
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15.5.11 Squad List. 15.5.11.1 Eligibility Requirement. To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be included on the institution’s squad-list form. [D] 15.5.11.2 Squad-List Form. The institution shall compile a list, on a form maintained by the Awards, Ben- efits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet and approved by the Legislative Council, of the squad members in each sport on the first day of competition and shall indicate thereon the status of each member in the categories listed. [D] (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 7/30/10, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.5.11.2.1 Procedures. The following procedures shall be used for the squad list: [D] (Revised: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06, 7/30/10, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) (a) The form shall be available for examination upon request by an authorized representative of another member institution, the NCAA, and, if the institution is a member of a conference, an authorized representative of the conference; (b) A supplementary form may be filed to add names of persons not initially on the squad or to indicate a change of status; (c) A student-athlete’s name must be on the official institutional form to qualify to represent the institu- tion in intercollegiate athletics; and (d) The athletics director (or his or her designee, who may not be a coaching staff member) shall sign the form for each sport. The head coach in each sport shall sign the form for the applicable sport. 15.5.11.3 Drug-Testing Consent-Form Requirement. Any student-athlete who signs a drug-testing con- sent form must be included on the institution’s squad-list form, and any student-athlete who is included on the squad-list form must have signed a drug-testing consent form pursuant to Bylaw 12.7.3. [D] (Adopted: 1/10/92 effective 8/1/92) 15.5.11.3.1 Exception—14-Day Grace Period. An institution is not required to place a student-ath- lete who is “trying out” for a team on the squad-list form for 14 days from the first date the student engages in countable athletically related activities or until the institution’s first competition, whichever occurs earlier. (Adopted: 4/28/05)
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15.01.7 Sport-by-Sport Financial Aid Limitations. Division I may establish limitations on the number of financial aid awards a member institution may provide to countable student-athletes (counters) (see Bylaw 15.5). 15.01.8 Additional Financial Aid Limitations. The Committee on Academic Performance shall have the authority to determine the circumstances that would require an institution or team(s) that fails to satisfy the academic performance program to apply additional financial aid limitations. The Committee on Academic Per- formance shall establish and annually publish to the membership such circumstances (see Bylaw 14.8). (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.02 Definitions and Applications. 15.02.1 Administered By. Financial aid is administered by an institution if the institution, through its regular committee or other agency for the awarding of financial aid to students generally, makes the final determi- nation of the student-athlete who is to receive the award and of its value. 15.02.2 Cost of Attendance. The “cost of attendance” is an amount calculated by an institutional financial aid office, using federal regulations, that includes the total cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution. (Adopted: 1/11/94) 15.02.2.1 Calculation of Cost of Attendance. An institution must calculate the cost of attendance for student-athletes in accordance with the cost-of-attendance policies and procedures that are used for students in general. Accordingly, if an institution’s policy allows for students’ direct and indirect costs (e.g., tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, child care, cost related to a disability and miscellaneous per- sonal expenses) to be adjusted on an individual basis from the institution’s standard cost figure, it is permissible to make the same adjustment for student-athletes, provided the adjustment is documented and is available on an equitable basis to all students with similar circumstances who request an adjustment. (Adopted: 1/11/94) 15.02.3 Counter. A “counter” is an individual who is receiving institutional financial aid that is countable against the aid limitations in a sport. 15.02.3.1 Initial Counter. [FBS/FCS] An “initial counter” is a counter who is receiving countable financial aid in a sport for the first time. (See Bylaw 15.5.6.3 in football for instances in which the institution is permitted to defer the counting of such financial aid until the following academic year.) 15.02.4 Financial Aid. “Financial aid” is funds provided to student-athletes from various sources to pay or assist in paying their cost of education at the institution. As used in NCAA legislation, “financial aid” includes all institutional financial aid and other permissible financial aid as set forth below. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4.) (Revised: 5/26/09) 15.02.4.1 Athletically Related Financial Aid. Athletically related financial aid is financial aid that is awarded on any basis that is related to athletics ability, participation or achievement. If an application process specifically requests athletics participation or achievements as criteria for consideration in determining whether an applicant receives financial aid, aid received pursuant to such a process is athletically related financial aid. (Adopted: 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.02.4.2 Institutional Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are considered to be insti- tutional financial aid: (Revised: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94, 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) All funds administered by the institution, which include but are not limited to the following: (1) Scholarships; (2) Grants; (3) Tuition waivers; (4) Employee dependent tuition benefits, unless the parent or the legal guardian of a student-athlete has been employed as a full-time faculty/staff member for a minimum of five years; and (5) Loans. (b) Aid from government or private sources for which the institution is responsible for selecting the recipi- ent or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient. 15.02.4.3 Other Permissible Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are also permitted: (Re- vised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Financial aid received from anyone upon whom the student-athlete is naturally or legally dependent; (b) Financial aid awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability; (c) Financial aid awarded through an established and continuing outside program as outlined in Bylaw 15.2.6.3; and (d) Educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee, which count against an institution’s sport-by-sport financial aid limitations and against the individual’s full-grant-in-aid limit.
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15.02.4.4 Exempted Institutional Financial Aid. The following institutional financial aid is exempt and is not counted in determining the institution’s financial aid limitations: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 4/25/02, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) An honorary award for outstanding academic achievement or an established institutional research grant that meets the criteria set forth in Bylaw 15.02.6 (and must be included in determining if the student- athlete’s cost of attendance has been met); (b) A postgraduate scholarship awarded by an institution in accordance with Bylaw 16.1.4.1.1; (c) Federal government grants awarded based on a student’s demonstrated financial need [e.g., Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant (SEOG)], regardless of whether the institution is responsible for select- ing the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient; (d) State government grants awarded based on a student’s demonstrated financial need, regardless of whether the institution is responsible for selecting the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient, provided the aid is administered in accordance with the federal methodology for determining a student’s financial need and has no rela- tionship to athletics ability. However, such aid is not exempt for purposes of determining a football or basketball student-athlete’s counter status pursuant to Bylaw 15.5.1.1; (e) State government merit-based grants, regardless of whether the institution is responsible for selecting the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient, provided the aid is awarded consistent with the criteria of Bylaws 15.5.3.2.2.1, 15.5.3.2.2.2 or 15.5.3.2.2.3 and has no relationship to athletics ability. However, such aid is not exempt for purposes of determining a football or basketball student-athlete’s counter status pursu- ant to Bylaw 15.5.1.1; and (f) Matching payments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program [see Bylaw 15.2.5.1-(e)]. 15.02.4.5 Exempted Government Grants. Government grants listed in Bylaw 15.2.5.1 shall not be in- cluded when determining the cost of attendance for a student-athlete. (Revised: 1/11/89, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.02.4.6 Operation Gold Grant. Funds administered by the U.S. Olympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold Grant program shall not be included when determining the cost of attendance for a student- athlete. (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.02.5 Full Grant-in-Aid. A full grant-in-aid is financial aid that consists of tuition and fees, room and board, and required course-related books. 15.02.6 Honorary Academic Award/Research Grant. An honorary academic award for outstanding academic achievement or a research grant is an award that meets the following criteria: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 10/28/04, 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08) (a) The award or grant is a standing scholarship award or an established research grant; (b) The basis for the award or grant shall be the candidate’s academic record at the awarding institution; (c) The award or grant shall be determined by competition among the students of a particular class or college of the institution. Competition for the award or grant may include additional objective criteria unrelated to athletics abilities (e.g., gender, race and ethnicity, financial need); and (d) The award or grant is included in determining if the student-athlete’s cost-of-attendance limitation has been met. 15.02.7 Period of Award. The period of award begins when the student-athlete receives any benefits as a part of the student’s grant-in-aid on the first day of classes for a particular academic term, or the first day of prac- tice, whichever is earlier, until the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement. An athletics grant-in-aid shall not be awarded in excess of the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility. (Revised: 10/27/11) 15.02.8 Recruited Student-Athlete. For purposes of Bylaw 15, a recruited student-athlete is a student- athlete who, as a prospective student-athlete: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Was provided an official visit to the institution’s campus; (b) Had an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with a member of the institution’s coaching staff (includ- ing a coach’s arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospective student-athlete or the prospec- tive student-athlete’s parents, relatives or legal guardians); or (c) Was issued a National Letter of Intent or a written offer of athletically related financial aid by the institution for a regular academic term. 15.02.9 Signature. For purposes of Bylaw 15, a signature includes an electronic authorization (e.g., elec- tronic signature). (Adopted: 3/5/12)
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15.1 Maximum Limit on Financial Aid—Individual. A student-athlete shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics if he or she receives financial aid that exceeds the value of the cost of attendance as defined in Bylaw 15.02.2. A student-athlete may receive insti- tutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) and educational expenses awarded per Bylaw 15.2.6.4 up to the value of a full grant-in-aid, plus any other financial aid up to the cost of attendance. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 5/26/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.1.1 Exception for Pell Grant. A student-athlete who receives a Pell Grant may receive financial aid equivalent to the limitation set forth in Bylaw 15.1 or the value of a full grant-in-aid plus the Pell Grant, whichever is greater. (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.1.2 Types of Aid Included in Limit. In determining whether a student-athlete’s financial aid exceeds the cost of attendance, all institutional financial aid (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) and all funds received from the fol- lowing and similar sources shall be included (see Bylaws 15.02.4.4, 15.02.4.5 and 15.02.4.6 for types of financial aid that are exempt from a student-athlete’s individual limit): (Revised: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) (a) Government Grants. Government grants for educational purposes, except for those listed in Bylaw 15.2.5; (b) Other Scholarships and Grants. Other outside scholarships or grants-in-aid; (Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) (c) Gifts. The value of gifts given to a student-athlete following completion of eligibility in appreciation for or recognition of the student-athlete’s athletics accomplishments; (d) Professional Sports Stipend. Any bonus or salary (no matter when received or contracted for) from a pro- fessional sports organization; (e) Athletics Participation Compensation. Any other income (no matter when received or contracted for) from participation in an athletics event (except funds that are administered by the U.S. Olympic Commit- tee pursuant to its Operation Gold Grant Program) unless eligibility has been exhausted in that sport; and (Revised: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94) (f) Loans. Loans, except legitimate loans that are based upon a regular repayment schedule, available to all stu- dents and administered on the same basis for all students. 15.1.3 Reduction When Excess Aid Is Awarded. In the event that a student-athlete’s financial aid from the sources listed in Bylaw 15.1.2, which includes institutional financial aid, will exceed the cost of attendance for the balance of the academic year, the institution shall reduce institutional financial aid so as not to exceed the cost of attendance. Payments credited to a student-athlete’s account that are not refundable by the institution to the scholarship office or other appropriate institutional agency shall not become the student’s obligation. (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.2 Elements of Financial Aid. 15.2.1 Tuition and Fees. An institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that includes the actual cost of tuition and required institutional fees. 15.2.1.1 Permissible Fees. A student-athlete may be awarded financial aid that covers the payment of fees for a course in which the student-athlete is enrolled, if the course is part of the institution’s regular curriculum (included in the institution’s catalog of classes), and the institution pays these same fees for other students en- rolled in the course who receive fees as a part of a grant-in-aid or scholarship. 15.2.1.2 Optional Fees. An institution may not pay fees for services offered on an optional basis to the student body in general. 15.2.1.3 Noninstitutional Fees and Expenses. Fees paid by an institution are confined to required insti- tutional fees and do not include noninstitutional fees or expenses (e.g., the cost of typing reports for student- athletes). 15.2.1.4 Fees and Related Expenses for Prospective Student-Athletes. An institution shall not waive, pay in advance or guarantee payment of the following expenses for a prospective student-athlete, unless such benefits generally conform to institutional policy as it applies to other prospective student-grantees: (a) The institution’s processing fee required prior to the admissions office’s evaluation of the prospective student-athlete’s application; (b) The orientation-counseling tests fee required of all incoming freshmen; (c) The preadmission academic testing fee; (d) Advance tuition payment or room deposit; (e) Damage deposits for dormitory rooms; (f) ROTC deposits for military equipment; or (g) Any other pre-enrollment fees required of prospective student-grantees.
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15.2.1.4.1 Fees Rebate. If the prospective student-athlete enrolls and is awarded financial aid covering institutional fees, the fees described in Bylaw 15.2.1.4-(a) through Bylaw 15.2.1.4-(d) may be rebated as a part of the institution’s regular fees. 15.2.2 Room and Board. An institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that includes the cost of room and board, based on the official allowance for a room as listed in the institution’s official publication (e.g., catalog) and a board allowance that consists of three meals per day or the institution’s maximum meal plan that is available to all students, whichever is greater. (Revised: 10/28/99 effective 8/1/00, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.2.2.1 Room and Board Stipend. An institution may provide the student-athlete an amount equal to the institution’s official on-campus room allowance as listed in its catalog, the average of the room costs of all of its students living on campus or the cost of room as calculated based on its policies and procedures for cal- culating the cost of attendance for all students. The institution also may provide the student-athlete an amount that is equivalent to the value of the maximum meal plan that is available to all students or the cost of meals as calculated based on its policies and procedures for calculating the cost of attendance for all students, excluding those meals provided as part of the training table. Meals provided on the training table shall be deducted at the regular cost figure from such a student-athlete’s board allowance. (Revised: 1/10/92, 11/12/97, 10/28/99 effective 8/1/00, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.2.2.1.1 Determination of Off-Campus Room Rates. An institution with several official on-cam- pus room rates listed in its catalog may use the average of the room cost for all students living on campus (based on a weighted average for all students who reside in on-campus facilities) or the cost of room as cal- culated based on its policies and procedures for calculating the cost of attendance for all students. (Revised: 11/12/97, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06) 15.2.2.1.2 Institution With No On-Campus Room and Board Facilities. If an institution does not provide an official dollar amount for room and board in its catalog and does not have on-campus student room and board facilities, the figure provided to student-athletes for off-campus student room and board shall be the amount determined by the institution’s office of financial aid as being commensurate with the average cost a student at that institution normally would incur living and eating in off-campus facilities. (Revised: 11/12/97) 15.2.2.1.3 Married Student Housing. Married student-athletes who live in noninstitutional housing are permitted to receive the same room and board allowance that is provided to married students with on-campus housing. If the institution does not provide on-campus room and board facilities for married students but has other on-campus dormitory facilities, it must use the provisions of Bylaw 15.2.2.1 in de- termining the amount of room-and-board expenses a married student-athlete who lives in noninstitutional facilities may receive. (Adopted: 1/10/92) 15.2.2.1.4 Cost-Free Apartment. It is permissible for the institution to arrange for a cost-free, off- campus apartment rather than to give a student-athlete an amount equal to the institution’s official room allowance (as listed in its catalog) or the cost of a room as calculated based on its policies and procedures for calculating the cost of attendance for all students, provided the apartment is not rented by the institu- tion at a reduced rate. However, if the actual rental rate is more than the institutional room allowance, the student-athlete shall pay the additional amount from the student-athlete’s own resources. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06) 15.2.2.1.5 Training-Table Meals. The cost of meals provided on the institution’s training table shall be deducted from a student-athlete’s board allowance, even if the student-athlete is not receiving a full grant- in-aid. In determining the cost figure to be deducted, the institution may use the actual meal costs listed in the institution’s catalog or the average meal costs of its student-athletes living on campus. 15.2.2.1.6 Meals Incidental to Participation. The cost of meals and snacks provided as benefits in- cidental to participation in intercollegiate athletics need not be deducted from a student-athlete’s board allowance. Such meals and snacks also may be received by a student-athlete who is not receiving athletically related financial aid inasmuch as they constitute a benefit incidental to athletics participation [see Bylaw 16.5.2-(d)]. (Revised: 4/24/14) 15.2.2.2 Facility Designated by Institution. It is permissible for the institution to require a grant-in-aid recipient to obtain room and board in a facility designated by the institution, provided the requirement is con- tained in the written statement outlining the amount, duration, conditions and terms of the financial aid agree- ment (see Bylaw 15.3.2.2). 15.2.2.3 Summer Dormitory Rentals. An institution may rent dormitory space to a prospective or enrolled student-athlete during the summer months at the regular institutional rate, if it is the institution’s policy to make such dormitory space available on the same basis to all prospective or enrolled students. 15.2.2.4 Food Stamps. A grant-in-aid recipient who lives and eats off campus may use the money provided for his or her board to obtain governmental food stamps, provided the stamps are available to the student body in general. Additionally, the student-athlete must be eligible for such stamps without any special arrangements on the part of athletics department personnel or representatives of the institution’s athletics interests.
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15.2.3 Books. A member institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that covers the actual cost of required course-related books. [R] (Revised: 4/24/03 effective 8/1/03) 15.2.3.1 Dollar Limit. There is no dollar limit for books a student-athlete may receive, provided each book is required for a course in which the student-athlete is enrolled. The institution may provide the student-athlete with cash to purchase books, as long as the amount of cash provided is equal to the actual cost of the books purchased. [R] (Revised: 4/24/03 effective 8/1/03) 15.2.4 Other Expenses Related to Attendance. An institution may provide a student-athlete financial aid that covers other expenses related to attendance in combination with other permissible elements of financial aid (per Bylaw 15.2) up to the cost of attendance (see Bylaws 15.02.2 and 15.1). (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, Revised: 5/26/09) 15.2.5 Government Grants. Government grants for educational purposes shall be included when deter- mining the permissible amount of the cost of attendance for a student-athlete, except for those listed in Bylaw 15.2.5.1. (Revised: 1/11/89, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 4/21/05) 15.2.5.1 Exempted Government Grants. The following government grants for educational purposes shall not be included when determining the permissible amount of the cost of attendance of a student-athlete: (Ad- opted: 1/11/89, Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 1/10/05) (a) AmeriCorps Program. Benefits received by student-athletes under the AmeriCorps Program; (Adopted: 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) (b) Disabled Veterans. State government awards to disabled veterans; (Adopted: 4/28/05) (c) Military Reserve Training Programs. Payments to student-athletes for participation in military re- serve training programs; (d) Montgomery G.I. Bill. Benefits received by student-athletes under the Montgomery Bill—Active Duty and the Montgomery G.I. Bill—Selected Reserve; (e) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Benefits received under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, including matching payments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Pro- gram. [Contributions made by the institution pursuant to the Yellow Ribbon Program are institutional financial aid (see Bylaws 15.02.4.2 and 15.02.4.4)]; (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (f) Special U.S. Government Entitlement Programs. Payments by the U.S. government under the terms of the Dependents Education Assistance Program (DEAP), Social Security Insurance Program [including the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)] or Non-Service-Connected Veteran’s Death Pension Program; (g) U.S. Military Annuitant Pay. United States Military Annuitant Pay or other family member service- related death benefits received by student-athletes from the United States Military. (Adopted: 1/10/05) (h) U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program. Benefits received by student-athletes under the U.S. Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC); (Adopted: 4/26/01) (i) Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). Benefits received by student-athletes under the VEAP; (j) Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans Program. Benefits received by student- athletes under the Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans Program; or (k) Welfare Benefits. Welfare benefits received from a state or federal government. (Adopted: 1/14/97 effec- tive 8/1/97) 15.2.6 Financial Aid From Outside Sources. 15.2.6.1 Parents and Legal Guardians. A student-athlete may receive financial aid from anyone upon whom the student-athlete is naturally or legally dependent. 15.2.6.1.1 Prepaid College Tuition Plans. A state-sponsored or private prepaid college tuition plan, purchased by a family member and paid to an institution on behalf of a student-athlete, is not considered aid from an outside source. Such aid is considered financial aid from someone upon whom the student- athlete is naturally or legally dependent. (Revised: 6/10/04) 15.2.6.2 No Relationship to Athletics Ability. A student-athlete may receive financial aid awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability. 15.2.6.3 Financial Aid From an Established and Continuing Program. A student-athlete may receive financial aid through an established and continuing program to aid students, provided: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effec- tive 8/1/11, Revised: 4/23/14) (a) The recipient’s choice of institutions is not restricted by the donor of the aid; (b) There is no direct connection between the donor and the student-athlete’s institution; and (c) The financial aid is not provided by an outside sports team or organization that conducts a competitive sports program to an individual who is or has been a member of that team or organization.
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15.2.6.4 Educational Expenses—U.S. Olympic Committee or U.S. National Governing Body. A student-athlete may receive educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country). The amount of the financial assistance shall be subject to the following limitations: (Adopted: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, Revised: 10/28/97 effective 8/1/98, 4/22/98, 11/1/00) (a) Disbursement of the aid shall be through the member institution for the recipient’s educational expenses while attending that institution; (b) The recipient’s choice of institutions shall not be restricted by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent orga- nization of a foreign country); (c) The value of the award alone or in combination with other aid per Bylaw 15.1.2 shall not exceed the value of a full grant-in-aid; and (d) The recipient shall be considered a counter per Bylaw 15.5.1, and the amount shall be applied to the maximum awards limitation of Bylaw 15.5 for the sport in question. 15.2.7 Employment. Earnings from a student-athlete’s on- or off-campus employment that occurs at any time is exempt and is not counted in determining a student-athlete’s cost of attendance or in the institution’s financial aid limitations, provided: (Revised: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) (a) The student-athlete’s compensation does not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student- athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she has obtained because of athletics ability; (b) The student-athlete is compensated only for work actually performed; and (c) The student-athlete is compensated at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services (see Bylaw 12.4). 15.2.8 Summer Financial Aid. Summer financial aid may be awarded only to attend the awarding institu- tion’s summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program, provided the following conditions are met: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/10/92) (a) The student has been in residence a minimum of one term during the regular academic year; (b) The student is attending a summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program and financial aid is administered pursuant to Bylaw 15.2.8.1.2, 15.2.8.1.3 or 15.2.8.1.4; or (c) The student is a two-year or a four-year college transfer student and is receiving aid to attend the awarding institution’s summer-orientation program. 15.2.8.1 General Stipulations. A student-athlete who is eligible for institutional financial aid during the summer is not required to be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies. However, the student-athlete may not receive financial aid that exceeds the cost of attendance in that summer term. A student-athlete may receive institutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaws 15.02.4.1 and 15.02.4.2) and educational expenses awarded (per Bylaw 15.2.6.4) up to the value of a full grant-in-aid, plus any other financial aid up to the cost of attendance. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 5/26/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.2.8.1.1 Exception for Pell Grant. A student-athlete who receives a Pell Grant may receive financial aid equivalent to the limitation set forth in Bylaw 15.2.8.1 or the value of a full grant-in-aid plus the Pell Grant, whichever is greater. (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.2.8.1.2 Enrolled Student-Athletes. After initial full-time enrollment during a regular academic year, a student-athlete shall not receive athletically related financial aid to attend the certifying institution’s summer term or summer school unless the student-athlete received such athletically related aid from the certifying institution during the student-athlete’s previous academic year at that institution. Further, such aid may be awarded only in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid received by the student-athlete during the student-athlete’s previous academic year at the certifying institution. The pro- portionality restriction shall not apply to a student-athlete who has exhausted his or her eligibility and is enrolled in course work acceptable toward his or her degree requirements. (Adopted: 1/10/90 effective 8/1/90, Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 11/12/97, 4/26/12) 15.2.8.1.2.1 Attendance During Only One Term of Previous Academic Year. A student-ath- lete who attended the institution on a full-time basis for only one regular term during the previous academic year may receive the same percentage of financial aid during the following summer term that the student-athlete received during the term in which the student-athlete was enrolled on a full-time basis. (Adopted: 1/10/92) 15.2.8.1.2.2 Multiple Summer Sessions. An institution that conducts multiple summer sessions may not award athletically related financial aid to attend any one session that exceeds the proportion of the amount of athletically related financial aid received by the student-athlete during the previous academic year. (Adopted: 1/10/92)
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15.2.8.1.2.3 Effect of Reduction When Excess Aid is Awarded. If an institution provides a student-athlete with a full athletics grant during the academic year but is required to reduce the grant in accordance with Bylaw 15.1.3 (reduction when excess aid is awarded), the institution may provide the student-athlete full athletically related financial aid to attend the institution’s summer term. 15.2.8.1.2.4 Exception for Nonqualifiers. A nonqualifier may receive athletically related finan- cial aid to attend an institution’s summer term or summer school after the first academic year in resi- dence under the following conditions: (Adopted: 1/10/92, Revised: 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97) (a) The student-athlete has satisfied progress-toward-degree requirements and, thus, would be eli- gible for competition for the succeeding year (the student-athlete must have successfully satisfied the applicable requirements of Bylaw 14.4.3 and be in good academic standing at the institution); (b) The student-athlete has been awarded athletically related financial aid for the succeeding aca- demic year; and (c) The student-athlete receives athletically related financial aid to attend the institution’s summer term or summer school only in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid the student will receive for the succeeding year. 15.2.8.1.2.5 Exception for First-Time Recipient in the Next Academic Year. A student-athlete who has not received athletically related aid from the certifying institution during a previous academic year may receive athletically related financial aid to attend the institution’s summer term or summer school under the following conditions: (Adopted: 1/15/11) (a) The student-athlete has been awarded athletically related financial aid for the following aca- demic year; and (b) The aid is awarded only in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid the student will receive for the following academic year. 15.2.8.1.3 Prior to Initial, Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment—Institutional Nonathletics Aid. The following conditions apply to the awarding of institutional nonathletics financial aid to a prospec- tive student-athlete to attend an institution in the summer prior to the prospective student-athlete’s initial, full-time collegiate enrollment: [D] (Adopted: 1/10/90, Revised: 1/10/92, 4/26/01, 3/10/04, 4/29/04, 1/10/05 effective 5/1/05, 3/14/05, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/14/12, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) (a) The recipient shall be admitted to the awarding member institution in accordance with regular, pub- lished entrance requirements; (b) The recipient, if recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8), is subject to NCAA transfer provisions pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2-(h); and (c) During the summer term or orientation period, the recipient shall not engage in any countable ath- letically related activities except for those activities specifically permitted in Bylaws 13 and 17 (see Bylaws 13.11.3.9, 17.1.1 and 17.1.1.1). 15.2.8.1.4 Prior to Initial Full-Time Enrollment at the Certifying Institution—Athletics Aid. The following conditions apply to the awarding of athletically related financial aid to a prospective student-ath- lete (including a prospective student-athlete not certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center as a qualifier) to attend an institution in the summer prior to the prospective student’s initial, full-time enrollment at the cer- tifying institution (see also Bylaw 13.02.12.1): (Adopted: 4/27/00 effective 8/1/00, Revised: 9/6/00, 4/26/01, 3/10/04, 4/29/04, 1/10/05 effective 5/1/05, 3/14/05, 5/9/07, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/14/12) (a) The recipient shall be admitted to the awarding member institution in accordance with regular, pub- lished entrance requirements; (b) The recipient is enrolled in a minimum of six hours of academic course work (other than physical education activity courses) that is acceptable degree credit toward any of the institution’s degree programs. Remedial, tutorial and noncredit courses may be used to satisfy the minimum six-hour requirement, provided the courses are considered by the institution to be prerequisites for specific courses acceptable for any degree program and are given the same academic weight as other courses offered by the institution; (c) The recipient, if recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8), is subject to NCAA transfer provisions pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2-(h), unless admission to the institution as a full-time student is denied; (d) During the summer term or orientation period, the recipient shall not engage in any countable ath- letically related activities except for those activities specifically permitted in Bylaws 13 and 17 (see Bylaws 13.11.3.9, 17.1.1 and 17.1.1.1); and (e) Summer coursework is not used for the purpose of completing initial-eligibility or continuing-eligi- bility (transfer eligibility, progress-toward-degree) requirements. However, the hours earned during the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution may be used to satisfy the applicable progress-toward-degree requirements in following years (see Bylaw 14.4.3). 15.2.8.2 Branch School. An institution may not provide a student-athlete with financial aid to attend a sum- mer session at a branch campus of the institution.
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15.3 Terms and Conditions of Awarding Institutional Financial Aid. 15.3.1 Eligibility of Student-Athletes for Financial Aid. Institutional financial aid may be awarded for any term during which a student-athlete is in regular attendance as an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under Bylaw 12.8, or as a graduate eligible under Bylaw 14.6. (Revised: 10/27/11) 15.3.1.1 Applicable Requirements. A student-athlete must meet applicable NCAA (see Bylaw 14), confer- ence and institutional regulations to be eligible for institutional financial aid (see Bylaws 15.01.5 and 15.01.6). A violation of this bylaw that relates only to a violation of a conference rule shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such a violation shall not affect the student-athlete’s eligibility. (Re- vised: 10/27/06) 15.3.1.2 Withdrawal From Institution. A student-athlete who withdraws from the institution may not receive financial aid during the remainder of the term. 15.3.1.3 Retroactive Financial Aid. Institutional financial aid awarded to an enrolled student-athlete after the first day of classes in any term may not exceed the remaining room and board charges and educational ex- penses for that term and may not be made retroactive to the beginning of that term. 15.3.1.4 Institutional Financial Aid to Professional Athlete. It is permissible to award institutional fi- nancial aid to a student-athlete who is under contract to or currently receiving compensation from a professional sports organization in the same sport. A professional athlete in one sport may represent a member institution in a different sport and may receive institutional financial assistance in the second sport. (Revised: 8/11/98, 4/26/01, 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 10/27/11) 15.3.2 Terms of Institutional Financial Aid Award. 15.3.2.1 Physical Condition of Student-Athlete. Financial aid awarded to a prospective student-athlete may not be conditioned on the recipient reporting in satisfactory physical condition. If a student-athlete has been accepted for admission and awarded financial aid, the institution shall be committed for the term of the original award, even if the student-athlete’s physical condition prevents him or her from participating in intercol- legiate athletics. 15.3.2.2 Written Statement Requirement. The institutional agency making a financial aid award for a regular academic year or multiple regular academic years shall give the recipient a written statement of the amount, duration, conditions and terms of the award. The chair of the regular committee or other agency for the awarding of financial aid to students generally, or the chair’s official designee, shall sign or electronically authorize (e.g., electronic signature) the written statement. The signature of the athletics director, attesting to the commit- tee’s award, does not satisfy this requirement. (Revised: 3/10/04, 7/26/12, 10/9/12) 15.3.2.3 Hearing Opportunity. The institution’s regular financial aid authority shall notify the student-ath- lete in writing of the opportunity for a hearing when institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability is to be reduced or canceled during the period of the award, or is reduced or not renewed for the following academic year. The institution shall have established reasonable procedures for promptly hearing such a request and shall not delegate the responsibility for conducting the hearing to the university’s athletics department or its faculty athletics committee. The written notification of the opportunity for a hearing shall include a copy of the institution’s established policies and procedures for conducting the required hearing, including the deadline by which a student-athlete must request such a hearing. (Revised: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06, 4/3/07, 4/23/08) 15.3.2.3.1 Reduction of a Multiyear Award. A reduction of a multiyear award shall occur if the re- newal period is for fewer years than the original agreement, unless the renewal includes the remaining years of the student-athlete’s eligibility in all sports (e.g., five-year period of eligibility) or if the average amount of aid provided per year in the renewal is less than the average amount of aid provided per year in the original agreement, including any increases during the period of the original award. (Adopted: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.2.3.2 Athletics Department Staff as Member of Committee. An institution’s athletics depart- ment staff member may be a member of a committee (other than an athletics department or faculty athletics committee) that conducts hearings related to the nonrenewal or reduction of a student-athlete’s financial aid. Under such circumstances, the athletics department staff member must be a standing member of the committee and may not serve as a member of a committee only for a specific student-athlete’s hearing. (Adopted: 4/3/07) 15.3.3 Period of Institutional Financial Aid Award. 15.3.3.1 Period of Award. If a student’s athletics ability is considered in any degree in awarding financial aid, such aid shall neither be awarded for a period less than one academic year nor for a period that would exceed the student’s five-year period of eligibility (see Bylaws 12.8 and 15.01.5). One-year grants-in-aid shall be awarded (as set forth in the written statement per Bylaw 15.3.2.2) in equal amounts for each term of the academic year. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.3.1.1 One-Year Period. An institution may award athletically related financial aid to a student- athlete for a period of less than one academic year only under the following circumstances: (Adopted: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06)
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(a) Midyear Enrollment. A student-athlete whose first full-time attendance at the certifying institution during a particular academic year occurs at midyear (e.g., the beginning of the second semester or second or third quarter of an academic year) may receive a financial aid award for the remainder of that academic year. (Revised: 5/9/06) (b) Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete may receive athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year, provided the student is in the final semester or final two quarters of his or her degree program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements. (c) Graduated During Previous Academic Year and Will Exhaust Eligibility During the Follow- ing Fall Term. A student-athlete who graduated during the previous academic year (including sum- mer) and will exhaust his or her athletics eligibility during the following fall term may be awarded athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (d) One-Time Exception. One time during a student-athlete’s enrollment at the certifying institution he or she may be awarded athletics aid for less than a full academic year, provided the student-athlete has been enrolled full time at the certifying institution for at least one regular academic term and has not previously received athletically related financial aid from the certifying institution. (Revised: 5/19/09) (e) Eligibility Exhausted/Medical Noncounter. A student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility and is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.5) in the institution’s financial aid limit, or a student- athlete who is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.2) due to an injury or illness may receive athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year. If an institution awards aid under this provision, the institutional financial aid agreement shall include specific nonathletically related conditions (e.g., academic requirements) the student-athlete must satisfy in order for the aid to be renewed for the next academic term or terms. If the student-athlete satisfies the specified condi- tions, the institution shall award financial aid at the same amount for the next term or terms of the academic year. If the student-athlete does not satisfy the specified conditions, he or she must be provided a hearing opportunity per Bylaw 15.3.2.3. (Adopted: 4/24/08 effective 8/1/08) 15.3.3.1.2 Effect of Violation. A violation of Bylaw 15.3.3.1 in which financial aid is awarded for a period of less than one academic year shall be considered an institutional violation per Constitution 2.8.1; however, the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete’s eligibility shall not be affected. (Adopted: 10/29/09) 15.3.3.2 Regular Academic Year vs. Summer Term. An institution may award financial aid to a student- athlete for one or more academic years or, pursuant to the exceptions set forth in Bylaw 15.3.3.1.1, part of one academic year. An institution also may award financial aid for a summer term or summer-orientation period, provided the conditions of Bylaw 15.2.8 have been met. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.3.2.1 Summer Term as Additional Award. It is necessary to make an additional award for a summer term; however, an institution is not required to provide the recipient with a written statement of the amount, duration, conditions or terms of the award. (Revised: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12, 7/26/12, 10/9/12) 15.3.4 Reduction or Cancellation During Period of Award. 15.3.4.1 Increase Permitted. Institutional financial aid may be increased for any reason at any time. (Ad- opted: 1/11/94, Revised: 2/26/03, 4/23/08, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.4.2 Reduction or Cancellation Permitted. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award if the recipient: (Revised: 1/10/92, 1/11/94, 1/10/95, 1/9/96, 12/13/05, 9/11/07) (a) Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition; (b) Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.3); (c) Engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.4); or (d) Voluntarily (on his or her own initiative) withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons; how- ever, the recipient’s financial aid may not be awarded to another student-athlete in the academic term in which the aid was reduced or canceled. A student-athlete’s request for written permission to contact another four-year collegiate institution regarding a possible transfer does not constitute a voluntary with- drawal. 15.3.4.2.1 Timing of Reduction or Cancellation. Any reduction or cancellation of aid during the period of the award may occur only after the student-athlete has been provided an opportunity for a hearing per Bylaw 15.3.2.3. (Adopted: 5/15/07, Revised: 4/23/08) 15.3.4.2.2 Nonathletically Related Conditions. An institutional financial aid agreement may in- clude nonathletically related conditions (e.g., compliance with academics policies or standards, compliance with athletics department rules or policies) by which the aid may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award. (Adopted: 4/23/08)
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15.3.4.2.3 Fraudulent Misrepresentation. If a student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid on the basis of declaring intention to participate in a particular sport by signing a letter of intent, application or tender, action on the part of the grantee not to participate (either by not reporting for practice or after making only token appearances as determined by the institution) would constitute fraudulent misrepre- sentation of information on the grantee’s application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement and would permit the institution to cancel or reduce the financial aid. (Revised: 1/11/94) 15.3.4.2.4 Misconduct. An institution may cancel or reduce the financial aid of a student-athlete who is found to have engaged in misconduct by the university’s regular student disciplinary authority, even if the loss-of-aid requirement does not apply to the student body in general. (Revised: 1/11/94) 15.3.4.2.5 Release of Obligation to Provide Athletically Related Financial Aid—One-Year Award. Before becoming a counter for an academic year pursuant to a one-year grant-in-aid, if a pro- spective student-athlete or student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid unrelated to athletics that is of equal or greater value than his or her signed award of athletically related financial aid, the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete may, on his or her initiative, release the institution of its obligation to provide the athletically related financial aid. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, Revised: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12) 15.3.4.3 Reduction or Cancellation Not Permitted. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may not be reduced or canceled during the period of its award: (Adopted: 1/16/93, Revised: 1/11/94, 12/11/07, 1/14/08) (a) On the basis of a student-athlete’s athletics ability, performance or contribution to a team’s success; (b) Because of an injury, illness, or physical or mental medical condition (except as permitted pursuant to Bylaw 15.3.4.2); or (c) For any other athletics reason. 15.3.4.3.1 Athletically Related Condition Prohibition. An institution may not set forth an athleti- cally related condition (e.g., financial aid contingent upon specified performance or playing a specific posi- tion) that would permit the institution to reduce or cancel the student-athlete’s financial aid during the period of the award if the conditions are not satisfied. (Adopted: 1/16/93, Revised: 1/11/94) 15.3.4.3.2 Decrease Not Permitted. An institution may not decrease a prospective student-athlete’s or a student-athlete’s financial aid from the time the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete signs the financial aid award letter until the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement, except under the conditions set forth in Bylaw 15.3.4.2. (Adopted: 1/11/94, Revised: 4/2/03 effective 8/1/03) 15.3.5 Renewals and Nonrenewals. 15.3.5.1 Institutional Obligation. The renewal of institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability shall be made on or before July 1 prior to the academic year in which it is to be effective. The institution shall promptly notify in writing each student-athlete who 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 (under Bylaw 12.8) 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. (Revised: 1/10/95) 15.3.5.2 Reconsideration of Nonrenewal. It is permissible for an institution that has notified a student- athlete that he or she will not be provided institutional financial aid for the next academic year subsequently to award financial aid to that student-athlete. 15.5 Maximum Institutional Grant-in-Aid Limitations by Sport. 15.5.1 Counters. A student-athlete shall be a counter and included in the maximum awards limitations set forth in this bylaw under the following conditions: (Revised: 6/10/04, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Athletics Aid. A student-athlete who receives financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability shall be- come a counter for the year during which the student-athlete receives the financial aid; or (b) Educational Expenses—Olympic Committee/National Governing Body. A student-athlete who re- ceives educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country) per Bylaw 15.2.6.4 shall become a counter for the year during which the student-athlete receives the aid. 15.5.1.1 Football or Basketball, Varsity Competition. In football or basketball, a student-athlete who was recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution and who receives institutional financial aid (as set forth in Bylaw 15.02.4.2) granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability does not have to be counted until the student-athlete engages in varsity intercollegiate competition (as opposed to freshman, B-team, subvar- sity, intramural or club competition) in those sports. (Revised: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93, 1/11/94, 6/20/04, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.5.1.1.1 Exception—Receipt of Institutional Academic Aid Only. In football or basketball, a student-athlete who was recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution and whose only source of institutional financial aid is academic aid based solely on the recipient’s academic record at the certifying
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institution, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, may compete without counting in the institution’s financial aid team limits, provided he or she has completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment at the certify- ing institution and has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.1.2 Counter Who Becomes Injured or Ill. A counter who becomes injured or ill to the point that he or she apparently never again will be able to participate in intercollegiate athletics shall not be considered a counter beginning with the academic year following the incapacitating injury or illness. 15.5.1.2.1 Incapacitating Injury or Illness. If an incapacitating injury or illness occurs prior to a pro- spective student-athlete’s or a student-athlete’s participation in athletically related activities and results in the student-athlete’s inability to compete ever again, the student-athlete shall not be counted within the institution’s maximum financial aid award limitations for the current, as well as later, academic years. How- ever, if the incapacitating injury or illness occurs on or after the student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically related activities in the sport, the student-athlete shall be counted in the institution’s maximum financial aid limitations for the current academic year but need not be counted in later academic years. (Adopted: 1/10/91, Revised: 3/26/04, 9/18/07) 15.5.1.2.2 Change in Circumstances. If circumstances change and the student-athlete subsequently practices or competes at the institution at which the incapacitating injury or illness occurred, the student- athlete again shall become a counter, and the institution shall be required to count that financial aid under the limitations of this bylaw in the sport in question during each academic year in which the financial aid was received. (Revised: 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01) 15.5.1.3 Aid Not Renewed, Successful Appeal. If an institution does not renew financial aid for a counter in a following year, and a hearing before the institution’s regular financial aid authority results in a successful appeal for restoration of aid, the student-athlete shall continue to be a counter if the individual continues to receive athletically related financial aid. However, the student-athlete shall 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 that institution, he or she will be considered to have been a coun- ter during each year the financial aid was received. 15.5.1.4 Cancellation of Aid. Once an individual becomes a counter in a head-count sport (see Bylaws 15.5.2, 15.5.4, 15.5.5, 15.5.6, 15.5.7 and 15.5.8), the individual normally continues as a counter for the re- mainder of the academic year. However, if he or she voluntarily withdraws from the team prior to the first day of classes or before the first contest of the season (whichever is earlier) and releases the institution from its obliga- tion to provide financial aid, the individual no longer would be considered a counter (see Bylaws 15.5.2.2 and 15.5.6.4.1). 15.5.1.5 Eligibility Exhausted. A student-athlete receiving institutional financial aid after having exhausted his or her eligibility in a sport is not a counter in that sport in later academic years following completion of eli- gibility in the sport. For this provision to be applicable, the student-athlete is otherwise eligible for the aid and is not permitted to take part in organized, institutional practice sessions in that sport unless the individual has eligibility remaining under the five-year rule. (See Bylaw 15.3.1 for eligibility for financial aid.) (Revised: 1/10/91) 15.5.1.5.1 Cross Country/Track and Field. A student-athlete who is awarded athletically related fi- nancial aid and who has exhausted eligibility in either cross country, indoor track and field, or outdoor track and field, but has eligibility remaining in any of the other sports, is not a counter in the cross country/track and field financial aid limitations, provided the student-athlete subsequently does not practice or compete in any of the sports that he or she has eligibility remaining in during the academic year in which the aid was awarded. (Adopted: 6/26/01 effective 8/1/01) 15.5.1.6 Aid After Departure of Head Coach—Men’s Basketball. In men’s basketball, a student-athlete who receives athletically related institutional financial aid in later academic years after the departure of a head coach from the institution is not a counter, provided: (Adopted: 4/29/10 effective 8/1/10) (a) The student-athlete participated in basketball and received athletically related institutional financial aid during the coach’s tenure at the institution; and (b) The student-athlete does not participate in basketball during the later academic years at the institution. 15.5.1.6.1 Later Participation. If the student-athlete later participates in basketball at the institution, the student-athlete shall become a counter for all years during which athletically related institutional aid was received. (Adopted: 4/29/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.1.7 Aid After Student-Athlete Becomes Permanently Ineligible. A student-athlete receiving in- stitutional financial aid after becoming permanently ineligible due to a violation of NCAA regulations (e.g., amateurism legislation) may receive athletics aid during later academic years without counting in the institution’s financial aid limitations, provided the student-athlete is otherwise eligible for the aid and does not practice or compete in intercollegiate athletics again. If circumstances change and the student-athlete practices or competes,
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the institution is required to count the financial aid received by the student-athlete during each academic year in which the aid was received (see Bylaw 15.3.1.4). (Adopted: 1/11/94) 15.5.1.8 Summer-Term Aid. Institutional financial aid received during a summer term is not countable in these limitations and does not make a student-athlete a counter. 15.5.1.8.1 Exception—Football. [FBS/FCS] In football, a prospective student-athlete who receives athletically related financial aid during a summer term prior to initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be an initial and overall counter for the ensuing academic year. (See Bylaws 15.02.3 and 15.5.6.) (Adopted: 1/14/12) 15.5.1.9 Offers Exceeding Maximum Allowable Awards. An institution may offer more than the maxi- mum number of permissible awards in a sport (per Bylaw 15.5) in anticipation that not all of the offers will be accepted, but the institution shall not exceed the awards limitation in the sport in question. 15.5.1.9.1 Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Sign- ings—Bowl Subdivision Football. [FBS] In bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of prospective student-athletes who may sign a National Letter of Intent or an institu- tional offer of financial aid from December 1 through May 31. (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10, Revised: 1/14/12 effective 8/1/12) 15.5.1.9.1.1 Exception—Counter During Same Academic Year. [FBS] A prospective student- athlete who signs a National Letter of Intent or an institutional offer of financial aid and becomes an initial counter for the same academic year in which the signing occurred (e.g., midyear enrollee) shall not count toward the annual limit on signings. (Adopted: 1/14/12 effective 8/1/12) 15.5.2 Head-Count Sports Other Than Football and Basketball. 15.5.2.1 Maximum Limits. An institution shall be limited in any academic year to the total number of counters (head count) in each of the following sports: (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) Women’s Gymnastics ............12 Women’s Tennis ......................8 Women’s Volleyball ...............12 15.5.2.2 Voluntary Withdrawal. An institution may replace a counter who voluntarily withdraws from the team in a head-count sport by providing the financial aid to another student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team. For this replacement to occur, the counter must withdraw prior to the first day of classes or before the first game of the season, whichever is earlier, and release the institution from its obligation to provide financial aid. The institution may not award the financial aid to another student-athlete in the academic term in which the aid was reduced or canceled. Further, if the financial aid is canceled before a regular academic term (e.g., preseason practice period), the aid may not be provided to another student-athlete during the ensuing academic term. 15.5.2.3 Midyear Replacement—Women’s Volleyball. In women’s volleyball, the financial aid of a counter who graduates at midyear or who graduates during the previous academic year (including summer) may be provided to another student-athlete without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year. (Adopted: 1/11/89, Revised: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.2.4 Midyear Graduate Replacement—Women’s Gymnastics and Women’s Tennis. In women’s gymnastics and women’s tennis, the financial aid of a counter who graduates at midyear with eligibility remain- ing and who does not return to the institution for the following academic term may be provided to another student-athlete without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of the academic year. (Adopted: 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07) 15.5.3 Equivalency Sports. 15.5.3.1 Maximum Equivalency Limits. 15.5.3.1.1 Men’s Sports. There shall be a limit on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in the following men’s sports: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93, 4/26/07 effective 8/1/08) Cross Country/ Track and Field .........12.6 Fencing ..............................4.5 Golf ...................................4.5 Gymnastics ........................6.3 Lacrosse ...........................12.6 Rifle ...................................3.6 Skiing ................................6.3 Soccer ................................9.9 Swimming and Diving .......9.9 Tennis ................................4.5 Volleyball ...........................4.5 Water Polo .........................4.5 Wrestling ...........................9.9 15.5.3.1.2 Women’s Sports. There shall be a limit on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in the following women’s sports: (Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92 effective 8/1/94, 1/16/93, 1/11/94 effective 9/1/94, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 11/1/01 effective 8/1/02, 4/28/05 effective 8/1/05, 4/28/05 effective 8/1/06, 1/17/09 effective 8/1/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14)
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Bowling ................................5 Cross Country/ Track and Field ............18 Equestrian ..........................15 Fencing .................................5 Field Hockey ......................12 Golf ......................................6 Lacrosse ..............................12 Rowing ...............................20 Rugby .................................12
Skiing ...................................7 Soccer .................................14 Softball ...............................12 Swimming and Diving ........14 Triathlon .......3.5 for 2014-15; 4.5 for 2015-16; 5.5 for 2016-17; and 6.5 for 2017-18 and thereafter. Water Polo ............................8
15.5.3.1.3 Maximum Equivalency Limits—Institutions That Sponsor Cross Country but Do Not Sponsor Track and Field. There shall be a limit of five on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in men’s cross country, if the institution does not sponsor indoor or outdoor track and field for men. There shall be a limit of six on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in women’s cross country, if the institution does not sponsor indoor or outdoor track and field for women. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 9/1/94, Revised: 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) 15.5.3.2 Equivalency Computations. In equivalency sports, each institutional financial aid award (per By- law 15.02.4.2) to a counter shall be computed as follows: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 10/20/08) (a) Once a student becomes a counter, the institution shall count all institutional aid (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) received for room, board, tuition and fees, and books up to the value of a full grant-in-aid. Exempted government grants per Bylaw 15.2.5 and exempted institutional aid per Bylaw 15.02.4.4 specifically are excluded from this computation. (b) A fraction shall be created, with the amount received by the student-athlete (up to the value of a full grant-in-aid) as the numerator and the full grant-in-aid value for that student-athlete as the denominator based on the actual cost or average cost of a full grant for all students at that institution. Financial aid unrelated to athletics ability (see Bylaw 15.1) received by the student-athlete in excess of a full grant-in- aid shall not be included in this computation. (c) The sum of all fractional and maximum awards received by counters shall not exceed the total limit for the sport in question for the academic year as a whole. 15.5.3.2.1 Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements shall apply to equiva- lency computations: (Revised: 10/20/08, 1/15/11, 10/18/11, 4/17/12 effective 8/1/12) (a) An institution may use either the actual cost or average cost of any or all of the elements (other than books) of the equivalency calculation (room, board, tuition and fees), provided the same method is used in both the numerator and denominator for each element. Either method (or different combi- nations of methods among elements) may be used for each student-athlete on the same team or for separate teams generally. (b) In computing equivalencies for tuition and fees, it is not permissible to average the value of in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees to determine an average cost for tuition and fees. (c) Books shall count for calculation purposes as $800 in the denominator. If a student-athlete receives any portion of a book allowance for the academic year, the institution must use $800 in the de- nominator and numerator for books, regardless of the actual cost of the books. If a student-athlete is enrolled for less than a full academic year (e.g., one semester, one or two quarters) and receives any portion of a book allowance, the institution must use the amount in the numerator that is propor- tionate to the number of terms of enrollment ($400 for semester systems, $534 or $267 for quarter systems). 15.5.3.2.2 Exceptions. 15.5.3.2.2.1 Academic Honor Awards—Based on High School Record. Academic honor awards that are part of an institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships, based solely on the recipient’s high school record and awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by institutions, are exempt from an institution’s equivalency computation, provided the recipient was ranked in the upper 10 percent of the high school graduating class or achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.500 (based on a maximum of 4.000) or a minimum ACT sum score of 105 or a minimum SAT score of 1200 (critical reading and math). (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99, Revised: 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.3.2.2.1.1 Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements shall be met: (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14)
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(a) The awards may include additional, nonacademic criteria (e.g., interviews, essays, need analysis), provided the additional criteria are not based on athletics ability, participation or interests, and the awards are consistent with the pattern of all such awards provided to all students; (b) No quota of awards shall be designated for student-athletes; (c) Athletics participation shall not be required before or after collegiate enrollment; (d) No athletics department staff member shall be involved in designating the recipients of such awards; and (e) Any additional criteria shall not include athletics ability, participation or interests. 15.5.3.2.2.1.2 Renewals. The renewal of an academic honor award (per Bylaw 15.5.3.2.2.1) may be exempted from an institution’s equivalency computation regardless of whether the re- cipient qualified for exemption in his or her initial academic year enrollment, provided: (Adopted: 1/12/99 effective 8/1/99, Revised: 3/18/10) (a) The recipient achieves a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maxi- mum of 4.000) at the certifying institution; and (b) The recipient meets all NCAA, conference and institutional progress-toward-degree re- quirements. 15.5.3.2.2.2 Academic Honor Awards—Transfer Students. Academic honor awards that are part of an institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships, either based solely on the recipi- ent’s cumulative academic record from all collegiate institutions previously attended or based on the recipient’s high school record and cumulative academic record from all collegiate institutions previously attended, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, may be exempted from a team’s equivalency computation, pro- vided the recipient achieved a cumulative transferable grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maximum of 4.000). (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10, Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.3.2.2.2.1 Calculation of Grade-Point Average. Grades earned in all courses that are normally transferable to an institution shall be considered in determining the grade-point average for meeting this exception, regardless of the grade earned or whether such grade makes the course unacceptable for transferable-degree credit. (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10) 15.5.3.2.2.2.2 Renewals. The renewal of an academic honor award (per Bylaw 15.5.3.2.2.2) may be exempted from an institution’s equivalency computation, provided: (Adopted: 1/16/10 ef- fective 8/1/10) (a) The recipient achieves a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maxi- mum of 4.000) at the certifying institution; and (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (b) The recipient meets all NCAA, conference and institutional progress-toward-degree re- quirements. 15.5.3.2.2.3 Institutional Academic Scholarships. Institutional academic scholarships that are part of an institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships, based solely on the recipi- ent’s academic record at the certifying institution, awarded independently of athletics interests and in amounts consistent with the pattern of all such awards made by the institution, are exempt from an institution’s equivalency computation, provided the recipient has completed at least one academic year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution and has achieved a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.3.2.3 Cancellation of Athletically Related Aid. If a student-athlete is dismissed from or volun- tarily withdraws from a team and his or her athletically related financial aid is canceled (see Bylaws 15.3.2.3 and 15.3.4.2) during an academic term, all other countable financial aid the student-athlete receives dur- ing the remainder of the term is countable toward the student-athlete’s equivalency for the academic year; however, the institution is not required to count other countable financial aid toward the student-athlete’s equivalency during any remaining terms of the academic year. If a student-athlete is dismissed from or voluntarily withdraws from a team and his or her athletically related financial aid is canceled at the end of an academic term, the institution is not required to count other countable financial aid toward the student- athlete’s equivalency during any remaining terms of the academic year. (Adopted: 12/13/05) 15.5.4 Baseball Limitations. There shall be an annual limit of 11.7 on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) to counters and an annual limit of 27 on the total number of counters in baseball at each institu- tion. (Adopted: 4/26/07 effective 8/1/08) 15.5.4.1 Minimum Equivalency Value. An institution shall provide each counter athletically related and other countable financial aid that is equal to or greater than 25 percent of an equivalency. (Adopted: 4/26/07 ef- fective 8/1/08 for student-athletes who initially enroll full time at any four-year collegiate institution on or after 8/1/08, Revised: 8/9/07)
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15.5.4.1.1 Exception—Need-Based Athletics Aid Only. In baseball, an institution that awards ath- letically related financial aid based solely on demonstrated financial need, as determined for all students by the institution’s financial aid office using methodologies that conform to federal, state and written insti- tutional guidelines (including institutional financial aid that is considered athletically related financial aid based on the intervention of athletics department staff), is not subject to the 25 percent minimum equiva- lency value per counter. (Adopted: 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08) 15.5.4.1.2 Exception—Final Year of Eligibility and Not Previously Aided. An institution may provide less than 25 percent of an equivalency to a student-athlete, provided the student-athlete is in the final year of eligibility and has not previously received athletically related financial aid in baseball at any col- legiate institution. (Adopted: 4/26/12 effective 8/1/12, 8/20/12) 15.5.5 Basketball Limitations. 15.5.5.1 Men’s Basketball. There shall be a limit of 13 on the total number of counters in men’s basketball at each institution. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, Revised: 4/27/00 effective 8/1/01, 11/01/01, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04) 15.5.5.2 Women’s Basketball. There shall be an annual limit of 15 on the total number of counters in wom- en’s basketball at each institution. (Adopted: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, Revised: 1/10/92 effective 8/1/93, 1/16/93) 15.5.6 Football Limitations. 15.5.6.1 Bowl Subdivision Football. [FBS] There shall be an annual limit of 25 on the number of initial counters (per Bylaw 15.02.3.1) and an annual limit of 85 on the total number of counters (including initial counters) in football at each institution. (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 12/15/06) 15.5.6.2 Championship Subdivision Football. [FCSD] There shall be an annual limit of 30 on the num- ber of initial counters (per Bylaw 15.02.3.1), an annual limit of 63 on the value of financial aid awards (equiva- lencies) to counters, and an annual limit of 85 on the total number of counters (including initial counters) in football at each Football Championship Subdivision institution. (Revised: 1/10/91 effective 8/1/92, 12/15/06) 15.5.6.2.1 Exception—Championship Subdivision. [FCS] Championship subdivision football pro- grams that meet the following criteria are exempt from the championship subdivision football counter and initial-counter requirements of Bylaws 15.5.1 and 15.5.6, regardless of multi-sport student-athletes who receive athletics aid in a sport(s) other than football: (Revised: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94, 1/10/95, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 12/15/06) (a) In football, the institution awards financial aid only to student-athletes who demonstrate financial need, except loans, academic honor awards, nonathletics achievement awards, or certain aid from outside sources may be provided without regard to financial need; (b) The institution uses methodologies for analyzing need that conform to federal, state and written institutional guidelines. The methodologies used to determine the need of a student-athlete must be consistent with the methodologies used by the institution’s financial aid office for all students; and (c) The composition of the financial aid package offered to football student-athletes is consistent with the policy established for offering financial assistance to all students. The financial aid packages for football student-athletes also shall meet the following criteria: (1) The institution shall not consider athletics ability as a criterion in the formulation of any football student-athlete’s financial aid package; and (2) The procedures used to award financial aid to football student-athletes must be the same as the existing financial aid procedures used for all students at the institution. 15.5.6.3 Initial Counters—Football (Also see Bylaw 15.02.3.1). 15.5.6.3.1 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering in Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters in the fall term and receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) during the first academic year in residence shall be an initial counter for that year in football. Therefore, such aid shall not be awarded if the institution has reached its limit on the number of initial counters prior to the award of institutional financial aid to the student-athlete. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.2 Recruited Student-Athlete Entering After Fall Term, Aided in First Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the awarding institution who enters after the first term of the academic year and immediately receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) shall be an initial counter for either the current academic year (if the institution’s annual limit has not been reached) or the next academic year. The student-athlete shall be included in the institution’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.3 Recruited Student-Athlete, Aid Received After First Year. [FBS/FCS] A recruited stu- dent-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8) (including a student-athlete who was not a qualifier) who first receives athletically related financial aid after the student-athlete’s first academic year in residence shall be an initial counter for that academic year in which the aid is first received, if such aid is received during the fall term. However, such a student-athlete who first receives athletically related financial aid in the second or third
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term of an academic year may be considered an initial counter during the academic year in which aid was first received or the next academic year. In either case, the student-athlete shall be included in the institu- tion’s total counter limit during the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/3/06, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.4 Nonrecruited Student-Athlete Receiving Institutional Financial Aid. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete not recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) by the institution who receives institutional financial aid (based in any degree on athletics ability) after beginning football practice becomes a counter but need not be counted as an initial counter until the next academic year if the institution has reached its initial limit for the year in question. However, the student-athlete shall be considered in the total counter limit for the academic year in which the aid was first received. (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.6.3.5 Midyear Replacement. [FBS/FCS] A counter who graduates at midyear or who graduates during the previous academic year (including summer) may be replaced by an initial counter, who shall be counted against the initial limit either for the year in which the aid is awarded (if the institution’s annual limit has not been reached) or for the following academic year, or by a student-athlete who was an initial counter in a previous academic year and is returning to the institution after time spent on active duty in the armed services or on an official religious mission. In bowl subdivision football, an institution may use the midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid during that academic year to the maximum number of overall counters (85 total counters). In championship subdivision football, an institution may use the midyear replacement exception only if it previously has provided financial aid during that academic year that equals the maximum number of overall equivalencies or overall counters. (Revised: 4/20/99 effective 8/1/99, 6/8/99, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 8/2/05, 12/15/06, 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, 4/2/10, 1/15/11) 15.5.6.3.6 Aid First Awarded After Second Year. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who has been in resi- dence at the certifying institution for at least two academic years may receive athletically related financial aid for the first time without such aid counting as an initial award, provided the aid falls within the overall grant limitation. (Adopted: 1/11/89, Revised: 1/10/90 effective 8/1/90) 15.5.6.3.7 Recruited Student-Athlete, Varsity Competition. [FBS/FCS] In accordance with Bylaw 15.5.1.1, a recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8) receiving institutional financial aid having been granted without regard in any degree to athletics ability becomes an initial counter in the first academic year in which the student-athlete competes on the varsity level. (See Bylaw 15.5.1.1.1.) (Revised: 10/27/05 effective 8/1/06, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.5.6.3.8 Returning Two-Year Transfer. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who previously was an initial counter and who transferred to a two-year college shall not be an initial counter upon return to the original institution. 15.5.6.3.9 Delayed Initial Counter Who Does Not Return to School. [FBS/FCS] A student-athlete who receives countable financial aid but whose status as an initial counter under this bylaw is delayed until the following academic year shall be counted against the initial limit the following academic year, regard- less of whether the student-athlete reports for participation or attends the institution in that academic year. 15.5.6.4 Exceptions. 15.5.6.4.1 Voluntary Withdrawal. [FBS/FCS] An institution may replace a counter who voluntarily withdraws from the football team by providing the financial aid to another student who already has en- rolled in the institution and is a member of the football squad. For this replacement to occur, the counter must withdraw prior to the first day of classes or before the first game of the season, whichever is earlier, and provide the institution with a signed statement releasing the institution from its obligation to provide institutional financial aid and verifying the voluntary nature of the withdrawal. The institution may imme- diately (beginning with the fall term) award the financial aid to a student-athlete who has been a member of the team for at least one academic year and has not previously received athletically related financial aid. A student-athlete who has not been a member of the team for at least one academic year may not receive the financial aid during the fall term, but may receive it in a following term (e.g., spring semester, winter quarter). (Revised: 4/28/05 effective 8/1/05) 15.5.6.4.2 Sprint Football. [FBS/FCS] Participants in sprint football programs who do not participate in the institution’s regular varsity intercollegiate program shall not be counted in the institution’s financial aid limitations. 15.5.7 Ice Hockey Limitations. There shall be an annual limit of 18 on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) to counters and an annual limit of 30 on the total number of counters in ice hockey at each institu- tion. (Adopted: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93) 15.5.8 Women’s Sand Volleyball Limitations. 15.5.8.1 Institutions That Sponsor Women’s Sand Volleyball and Women’s Volleyball. If an institu- tion sponsors women’s sand volleyball and women’s volleyball, there shall be an annual limit of six on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) provided to counters and an annual limit of 14 on the total number of counters in women’s sand volleyball. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)
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15.5.8.2 Institutions That Sponsor Women’s Sand Volleyball but Do Not Sponsor Women’s Volley- ball. If an institution does not sponsor women’s volleyball, there shall be an annual limit of eight on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) provided to counters and an annual limit of 14 on the total number of counters in women’s sand volleyball. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.9 Multisport Participants. 15.5.9.1 Football. [FBS/FCS] In football, a counter who was recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) and/or offered financial aid to participate in football and who participates (practices or competes) in football and one or more sports (including basketball) shall be counted in football. A counter who was not recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8) and/or offered financial aid to participate in football and who competes in football and one or more sports (in- cluding basketball) shall be counted in football. (Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.9.1.1 Initial Counter. [FBS/FCS] A counter who previously has not been counted in football shall be considered an initial counter even though the student-athlete already has received countable financial aid in another sport. 15.5.9.1.2 Championship Subdivision Football Exception. [FCS] A counter who practices or com- petes in football at a Football Championship Subdivision institution that elects to use the football counter and initial-counter exception set forth in Bylaw 15.5.6.2.1 and who practices or competes in another sport and receives countable financial aid in another sport shall be counted in the institution’s financial aid limita- tions in the other sport. (Adopted: 1/10/95, Revised: 12/15/06) 15.5.9.2 Basketball. A counter who practices or competes in basketball and one or more other sports (other than football) shall be counted in basketball. 15.5.9.3 Ice Hockey, Men’s. A counter who practices or competes in men’s ice hockey and one or more other sports (other than football or basketball) shall be counted in men’s ice hockey. (Adopted: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93) 15.5.9.4 Swimming and Diving/Water Polo, Men’s. A counter who practices or competes in both men’s swimming and diving and men’s water polo at a member institution shall be counted in men’s swimming and diving, unless he counts in football or basketball. 15.5.9.5 Volleyball, Women’s. A counter who practices or competes in women’s volleyball and one or more other sports (other than basketball) shall be counted in women’s volleyball. 15.5.9.5.1 Participation in Women’s Volleyball in Second Year of Enrollment After Counter Status in Women’s Sand Volleyball in First Year of Enrollment. A student-athlete who was a coun- ter in women’s sand volleyball during her initial year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution and participates (practices and competes) in women’s volleyball during her second year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be a counter in women’s volleyball for her initial year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) 15.5.9.6 Two-Year Exception. If an individual has participated in a sport other than basketball, field hockey or women’s volleyball for two years or more since the individual’s initial collegiate enrollment and would be in- volved only in basketball, field hockey or women’s volleyball practice sessions, such a student would not become a counter in those sports until the student actually competes as a member of that institution’s intercollegiate team, at either the varsity or junior varsity level. (Revised: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96) 15.5.9.7 Other Sports. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a counter who participates in two or more sports shall be counted in one of the sports but shall not be counted in the others. 15.5.9.7.1 Requirement to Qualify as Multisport Athlete. To be considered a multisport athlete under this section, an individual must meet all of the following requirements: (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) The individual shall report and participate fully in regularly organized practice with each squad; (b) The individual shall participate where qualified in actual competition in each sport; (c) The individual shall be a member of each squad for the entire playing and practice season; and (d) If a recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.8), the individual shall have been earnestly recruited to participate in the sport in which financial aid is counted (the institution recruiting the student- athlete shall have a reasonable basis to believe that the student-athlete is capable of participating in the institution’s varsity intercollegiate program in that sport, including documentation of a record of previous participation in organized competition in the sport that supports the student-athlete’s potential to participate in that sport in varsity intercollegiate competition). 15.5.10 Changes in Participation. If a student-athlete changes sports during an academic year, the stu- dent-athlete’s financial aid shall be counted in the maximum limitations for the first sport for the remainder of the academic year. If the student-athlete continues to receive financial aid, the award shall be counted the next aca- demic year against the maximum limitations in the second sport. A student-athlete shall be counted as an initial counter in football during the year in which the student-athlete first becomes countable in that sport, regardless of whether countable financial aid was received previously for another sport. (Revised: 4/3/02)
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FINANCIAL AID
15.5.11 Squad List. 15.5.11.1 Eligibility Requirement. To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be included on the institution’s squad-list form. [D] 15.5.11.2 Squad-List Form. The institution shall compile a list, on a form maintained by the Awards, Ben- efits, Expenses and Financial Aid Cabinet and approved by the Legislative Council, of the squad members in each sport on the first day of competition and shall indicate thereon the status of each member in the categories listed. [D] (Revised: 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08, 7/30/10, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) 15.5.11.2.1 Procedures. The following procedures shall be used for the squad list: [D] (Revised: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06, 7/30/10, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14) (a) The form shall be available for examination upon request by an authorized representative of another member institution, the NCAA, and, if the institution is a member of a conference, an authorized representative of the conference; (b) A supplementary form may be filed to add names of persons not initially on the squad or to indicate a change of status; (c) A student-athlete’s name must be on the official institutional form to qualify to represent the institu- tion in intercollegiate athletics; and (d) The athletics director (or his or her designee, who may not be a coaching staff member) shall sign the form for each sport. The head coach in each sport shall sign the form for the applicable sport. 15.5.11.3 Drug-Testing Consent-Form Requirement. Any student-athlete who signs a drug-testing con- sent form must be included on the institution’s squad-list form, and any student-athlete who is included on the squad-list form must have signed a drug-testing consent form pursuant to Bylaw 12.7.3. [D] (Adopted: 1/10/92 effective 8/1/92) 15.5.11.3.1 Exception—14-Day Grace Period. An institution is not required to place a student-ath- lete who is “trying out” for a team on the squad-list form for 14 days from the first date the student engages in countable athletically related activities or until the institution’s first competition, whichever occurs earlier. (Adopted: 4/28/05)