NCAA Overview of House v. NCAA Settlement Rules (April 2025)

Arbitration Procedures for Student-Athletes

NCAA Division I Board of Directors Anticipated Actions Contingent Upon Court Final Approval of the House v. NCAA Settlement

Information Included in This Supplement. This supplement includes the following information:

1. Overview of the House v. NCAA Settlement. A general overview of the significant elements of the settlement and information regarding opting in to the benefits pool structure of the settlement. (Attachment A)

2. Summary Chart of Proposals. A chart that includes a brief description of the proposals that the Board of Directors is requested to adopt to implement the terms of the settlement. The proposals listed on the chart implement the settlement agreement as submitted to the court for final approval. (Attachment B)

3. Executive Summaries of Legislative Proposals. Executive summaries of each proposal or set of proposals listed in the summary chart of proposals. (Attachment C)

4. Legislative Proposals. Full text of the current drafts of legislative proposals that were developed by the Implementation Committee with guidance from the commissioners, general counsels and governance and compliance staff from the autonomy defendants and in collaboration with NCAA staff. (Attachment D)

Requested Actions

The Board of Directors is asked to take the actions listed below as a consent package. Any proposal or item may be removed from the consent package for a separate vote. As a reminder, the threshold for adopting emergency legislation is 80% majority. The process requires two votes, the first to determine that the proposals meet the definition of “emergency legislation” and the second on the merits of the proposals.

1. Adopt legislation necessary to implement the House settlement. The proposals in this category are Proposal Nos. 2025-8 through 2025-14, which establish new legislation and modify or eliminate existing legislation to implement the terms of the settlement.

2. Adopt additional legislation consistent with the settlement. In addition to the proposals that are necessary to implement the settlement, the settlement allows the NCAA and the conference defendants to adopt specific rules before or in conjunction with the final approval of the settlement. Those rules are included in Proposal Nos. 2025-15 and 2025- 16.

3. Authorize NCAA staff to continue to revise and refine the adopted legislation. The proposals, as presented, reflect the latest work to codify the necessary elements of the settlement. As with any endeavor of such a magnitude, adjustments and modifications will be needed as issues and questions continue to arise. Given the significance of the settlement and the associated legislation, and the timing of the approval and implementation, the staff requests explicit authorization to revise and refine the legislation as necessary, consistent with the intent and substance of the settlement agreement, to appropriately implement and effectuate its terms.

ATTACHMENT A Overview of the House v. NCAA Settlement

This document provides a general overview of the significant elements of and information regarding opting in to the pending In re: College Athlete NIL Litigation (House v. NCAA) settlement. Additional information is available in the following educational resources: A Guide For Schools and Opting In. A detailed Question and Answer Document is also available.

I. Significant Elements of the Settlement.

1. Additional Payments and Benefits.

a. Pre-Settlement Rules.

Permissible Benefits. Institutions are limited to providing awards, benefits and expenses that are set forth in NCAA Division I Bylaw 16, including, but not limited to, academic and graduation incentives (Alston awards), medical expenses, academic and career counseling and personal development expenses, life skills programming, meals and snacks, complimentary admission to athletics events for family and friends, training expenses, reasonable entertainment and transportation. An institution may not provide direct payments to student-athletes or any awards benefits or expenses that are not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation or interpretations.

b. Post-Settlement Rules.

New Payments and Benefits. Institutions are allowed to provide new financial benefits to athletes beyond those previously permitted. There is no minimum amount required to be provided, but there is a limit (benefits cap). In the first year of the settlement (2025-26), it is estimated that the cap on new payments to student-athletes will be $20.5 million per institution. The pool of revenue that can be shared with athletes will be equal to 22% of the average revenue of institutions in the defendant conferences for specific categories of revenue. The average shared revenue will be recalculated every three years of the term of the settlement, with the second and third year of each three-year period being increased by 4% from the previous year.

Benefits Count Against the Pool of Revenue Shared. Some benefits provided to athletes will count against the benefits cap, including new payments/benefits provided to athletes pursuant to the settlement, including Alston Awards (up to $2.5 million per year, per institution), the value of new athletics scholarships created by the new roster limits (up to $2.5 million per year, per institution) (see additional information on roster limits below) and payments to student-athletes under contracts between the institutions and student-athletes for use of a student-athlete’s name, image and likeness (see additional information below on the NIL activities that will count).

Limitations on and Requirements for Benefits. A student-athlete may only receive additional benefits during the student-athlete’s period of eligibility (five-year rule, with applicable exceptions/waivers for extensions). Student-athletes are required to meet progress-toward-degree requirements in order to receive additional benefits. A student-athlete is not required to meet progress-toward-degree requirements to receive an athletics scholarship and may continue to receive such aid after exhausting eligibility.

Audit/Enforcement Procedures. Institutions that provide new payments and benefits to student-athletes must comply with financial reporting and compliance processes.

2. Name Image and Likeness Activities.

a. Pre-Settlement Rules.

Name, Image and Likeness Compensation. An individual may receive compensation for the use of the individual’s name, image and likeness, which may be secured or compensated based, in whole or in part, on athletics skill or reputation. Name, image and likeness activities may not be used to compensate a student-athlete for athletics participation or achievement.

Offers and Inducements. Name, image and likeness activities may not be used as an inducement by an institution for an individual to enroll or remain enrolled at a specific institution.

Institutional Involvement in Student-Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Opportunities. An institution may not compensate a student-athlete for use of the student-athlete’s name, image and likeness. However, an institution may provide assistance and services (e.g., identify specific name, image and likeness opportunities, facilitate deals between student-athletes and third parties) to a student-athlete who elects to disclose name, image and likeness activities consistent with institutional policies and procedures. A student-athlete who elects not to disclose name, image and likeness activities shall not receive such institutional assistance and services.

Disclosure of Name, Image and Likeness Activities. An institution must provide a student-athlete an opportunity to disclose name, image and likeness activities to the institution.

b. Post-Settlement Rules.

Institutional Involvement – Agreements. An institution may enter into exclusive or nonexclusive agreements with student-athletes for use of their NIL, other than for a broadcast of collegiate athletic games or competitive athletic events. Such agreements will not extend beyond a student-athlete’s period of eligibility. However, the institution and student-athlete may agree that content created while the student-athlete is enrolled can continue to be used to promote the school’s academic or athletic programs after the student-athlete’s eligibility is exhausted.

Institutional Involvement – Marketing Agent. An institution may continue to act as a marketing agent for a student-athlete with respect to third-party name, image or likeness contracts.

Involvement of Entities or Individuals Associated With the Institution. An associated entity or individual may enter into an agreement with or provide payment to a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete, provided the license or payment, as determined by a designated reporting agency, is for a valid business purpose related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services provided to the general public for profit, with compensation at rates and terms commensurate with compensation paid to similarly

situated individuals with comparable name, image and likeness value who are not prospective student-athletes or student-athletes of the institution.

NIL Compensation. NIL compensation provided directly by an institution counts toward the benefits cap. Institutionally provided NIL compensation is not subject to valid business purpose and range of compensation assessments. Payments from third parties (including associated entities and individuals) do not count toward the benefits cap regardless of whether the institution acts as marketing agent or agreements result from sublicensing the institution’s rights with a student-athlete.

Offers Before Enrollment. An institution may offer NIL compensation to prospective student-athletes, including transfer student-athletes, provided the transfer student-athletes have entered their names in the transfer portal. Prospective and transfer student-athletes may discuss, negotiate, and enter contracts for commercial NIL opportunities with third parties before enrolling at an institution.

Disclosure of Name, Image and Likeness Activities. All student-athletes are required to report any third-party NIL compensation that equals or exceeds $600 in the aggregate. Additionally, institutions will disclose any agreements made by third parties (including associated entities or individuals) that originate from, are funded by or made on behalf of the institution.

3. Scholarships and Roster Limits.

a. Pre-Settlement Rules.

Scholarship Limits. All sports have limitations on the number of athletics scholarships that may be provided to student-athletes, either in terms of equivalencies (student-athletes may receive full or partial scholarships up to the limit) or head counts (any amount of a scholarship counts as one toward the limit) or a combination of both.

b. Post-Settlement Rules.

Roster Limits. Roster limits for each sport will replace maximum athletics scholarship limits. Institutions in the defendant conferences and those that elect to provide additional benefits pursuant to the settlement may provide athletics scholarships to any student-athlete on the roster. An institution that provides additional payments or benefits (e.g., scholarships) to student-athletes beyond what was permissible before the settlement is subject to all obligations and limitations of the settlement, including roster limits. In addition, all athletics scholarships will be equivalency awards and institutions may provide any portion of a scholarship to an individual student-athlete. This change allows for more student-athletes on the roster to receive scholarships than before the settlement.

II. Information Regarding Opting In to the Settlement.

1. Opting In.

a. Process. Division I institutions outside the defendant conferences have the option to provide the additional benefits noted above. An institution may declare its intent to opt in no later than March 1 each year and must provide final notice no later than June 15. Alternatively, if an institution provides pool payments, including direct NIL payments, or additional benefits to student-athletes beyond what was permissible before the settlement, the institution is subject to all obligations and limitations of the settlement.

b. Impact on All Sports. If an institution provides new payments or additional benefits to student-athletes in one sport, the roster limits and other settlement terms apply to all sports.

c. Year-to-Year Status. An institution may opt in to the settlement (e.g., providing additional benefits to student-athletes) at any point during the 10-year term of the settlement. The settlement also allows an institution who previously offered additional benefits allowed by the settlement to return to awarding benefits at pre-settlement levels. The settlement does not require an institution to comply with the roster limits set by the settlement after it reverts back to providing benefits previously allowed.

d. Enforcement. Institutions that elect to provide additional benefits pursuant to the settlement will be subject to the enforcement framework and processes established by the defendant conferences to ensure compliance with the benefits cap and third-party NIL payments assessment.

2. Information for Institutions That Do Not Opt In.

a. Subject to Scholarship Limitations. An institution that does not opt in may provide athletics scholarships only up to the current (2024-25) limits by sport and is not required to meet the roster limits set by the settlement. Head count scholarship restrictions will be eliminated, and all athletics scholarships will be treated as equivalencies in all sports. Increasing athletics scholarships within the 2024-25 scholarship limits does not cause an institution to opt in to the settlement.

b. Subject to Limitations on Benefits. An institution that does not opt in must continue to abide by pre-settlement rules governing institutionally provided benefits as set forth in Bylaw 16, including, but not limited to, academic and graduation incentives (Alston awards), medical expenses, academic and career counseling and personal development expenses, life skills programming, meals and snacks, complimentary admission to athletics events for family and friends, training expenses, reasonable entertainment and transportation.

c. Subject to Limitations on Providing NIL Payments. An institution that does not opt in is not permitted to provide payments to a student-athlete for the use of the student-athlete’s name, image or likeness. Such an institution is subject to the pre-settlement rules related to name, image and likeness activities other than the disclosure requirements as modified by the consent judgment in Tennessee v. NCAA.

ATTACHMENT B Summary of Legislative Changes – Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement The proposals listed on this chart implement the House/Hubbard/Carter settlement agreement as submitted to the court for final approval.

Proposal No. 2025-8 Athletics Eligibility*
Modifies rules to allow certain institutions to provide direct financial benefits to student-athletes.
Preserves a student-athlete’s opportunity to use agent representation for purposes of NIL activities. Maintains certain eligibility rules that have historically been used to distinguish Division I athletics from professional sports. Proposal No. 2025-9 Financial Aid*
Eliminates team scholarship limits for institutions and allows institutions that provide student-athletes with settlement-related benefits to provide any amount of an athletics scholarship (up to cost of attendance) to any student-athlete included on a team’s submitted roster. Proposal No. 2025-10 Awards, Benefits and Expenses – Benefits Cap Management+
Allows institutions to provide student-athletes with settlement-related benefits on an annual basis, provided the school does not exceed the value of its benefit pool for that year.
Codifies the calculation of the benefit pool/cap pursuant to the settlement and establishes annual reporting and attestation requirements. Note: Estimated benefit pool for 2025-26 is $20.5 MM. Proposal No. 2025-15 Awards, Benefits and Expenses – Benefits Pool Compliance – Eligibility for Institutional Benefits+
Establishes requirements for a student-athlete to receive settlement-related benefits, including benefits may only be received during the student’s athlete’s period of eligibility provided the student-athlete satisfies NCAA full-time enrollment and progress toward degree. Proposal No. 2025-11 Playing and Practice Seasons – Roster Limitations*
Establishes sport-specific roster limits for institutions that choose to provide settlement-related benefits to student-athletes. Additional legislation will be developed to address application of sport-specific roster limitations. Proposal No. 2025-12 Name, Image and Likeness Activities+
Allows institutions that choose to provide settlement related benefits to (1) enter into exclusive or nonexclusive licenses with student-athletes for the use of their NIL outside of broadcasts, and (2) serve as a marketing agent for a student-athletes in respect to third-party NIL agreements.
Establishes a reporting requirement for all third-party NIL agreements equal to or greater than $600 individually or in the aggregate.
Specifies that the NIL Clearinghouse will evaluate all agreements with entities and individuals associated with an insitution to determine whether (1) a valid business purpose exists and (2) the payment is within a range of compensation. Proposal No. 2025-16 Name, Image and Likeness Activities+
Provides an opportunity for review of proposed agreements or offers before excecution and establishes options a student-athlete may take if a name, image and likeness agreement with an associated entity or individual is determined to have impermissible terms. Proposal No. 2025-13 Enforcement Authority and Neutral Arbitration Process+
Establishes a designated enforcement entity that will be developed and operated by the defendant conferences, to enforce all NCAA bylaws established to implement the terms of the House settlement, including compliance with the new roster limits, the provision of direct financial benefits to student-athletes consistent with the new benefits pool, and meeting requirements for third-party NIL agreements entered into with associated individuals or entities.

Proposal No. 2025-14 Various Bylaws*
Substantive and editorial adjustments in various bylaws to align with the provisions of the settlement. * Effective July 1, 2025. + Effective July 1, 2025; Any contracts or payment terms for a third-party’s use of a student-athlete’s NIL executed on or after the day of final settlement approval, and agreements executed before the settlement approval date with payments to be made on or after July 1 are subject to the applicable reporting requirements and name, image and likeness clearinghouse review, as specified.

ATTACHMENT C

Summary of Legislative Changes Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement NCAA Division I Bylaw 12 – Proposal No. 2025-8

The settlement allows certain institutions to provide direct financial benefits to student- athletes. Multiple rules in NCAA Bylaw 12 will be modified (mostly eliminated) to allow such payments. Rules that remain applicable to name, image and likeness activities are specified in Bylaw 22. (Bylaws 12.1.2, 12.4, 12.5)

Rules originally designed to distinguish Division I athletics from professional sports are not part of the settlement and are being reviewed as part of the division’s concurrent review of all rules that impact student-athlete eligibility (e.g., rules limiting an individual’s opportunity to accept money that exceeds actual and necessary expenses before collegiate enrollment and rules related to professional drafts). (Bylaws 12.1.2.3, 12.2)

Rules related to a student-athlete’s use of an agent for professional sports opportunities are not modified by the settlement. Student-athletes may continue to use agent representation for purposes of NIL activities (as specified in Bylaw 22), and men’s basketball student- athletes will still have access to NCAA-certified agents for purposes determining whether it is in their best interests to enter the NBA draft. Existing rules related to agents are under review as part of the division’s concurrent review of rules that impact student-athlete eligibility. (Bylaws 12.02.1, 12.02.8, 12.3)

The remaining revisions to Bylaw 12 primarily are intended to assist with organization and readability of the bylaw, such as standardizing references to actual and necessary expenses and clarifying the permissible types of benefits that do not impact student-athlete eligibility. (Bylaws 12.1, 12.1.2)

Summary of Legislative Changes Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement NCAA Division I Bylaw 15 – Proposal No. 2025-9

Current athletics scholarship limits will be eliminated, allowing institutions to provide any amount of an athletics scholarship (up to cost of attendance) to any student-athlete who it includes on a team’s submitted roster consistent with the new roster limits specified in NCAA Bylaw 17. (Bylaws 15.01.7, 15.01.8, 15.02.3, 15.5, 17.2.2)

An institution that chooses to provide additional payments or benefits (e.g., scholarships) to student-athletes beyond what was permissible before the settlement is subject to all obligations and limitations of the settlement, including roster limits.

All athletics scholarships awarded will be treated as equivalency awards, eliminating the head count designation that previously applied to certain sports (e.g., football, basketball, women’s tennis). An institution will determine the amount of athletics aid to award its student-athletes, noting any new athletics scholarship dollars provided over the 2024-25 athletics scholarship limits up to $2.5MM will count toward the institution’s annual benefits cap. (Bylaws 15.5.2, 15.5.5, 15.5.6, 16.3.1.4)

Institutions will continue to be able to cancel the athletics aid of a student who makes a written request to transfer, provided the cancellation is effective for the ensuing term. However, a current scholarship student-athlete who enters the transfer portal after being told that they will not be included on the submitted roster cannot lose an athletics scholarship based on the decision to enter the transfer portal if the student-athlete ultimately decide not to transfer. (Bylaws 15.3.4.1, 15.3.4.3)

Institutions will continue to calculate cost of attendance as defined for students generally using federal regulations. Cost of attendance includes the total cost of tuition and fees, living expenses, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution. (Bylaw 15.1)

The new core guarantee protections will be maintained for all student-athletes who receive athletically related financial aid during their first academic year at the institution, regardless of transfer history. (Bylaws 15.3.3.3, 15.3.4.1.2)

Summary of Legislative Changes Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement NCAA Division I Bylaw 16 – Proposal Nos. 2025-10 & 2025-15

Institutions that choose to provide direct payments or additional benefits to student- athletes may do so on an annual basis (July 1 through June 30) provided the total value does not exceed that year’s benefit cap. (NCAA Bylaw 16.13.1)

The benefits pool will be calculated based on the institutional revenue categories and formula specified in the settlement. Based on current financial reporting, the benefits pool value for 2025-26 is estimated to be roughly $20.5 MM. (Bylaw 16.02.2)

Student-athletes will be able to receive settlement-related payments, benefits and expenses for up to five years following initial collegiate enrollment provided they satisfy NCAA full-time enrollment and progress-toward-degree requirements. (see Bylaw 16.13.1.1 in NCAA Division I Proposal No. 2025-15).

Institutions must report any new benefits, payments and/or expenses they provide to student-athletes to the cap management reporting system (to be managed by LBi Software) pursuant to policies developed by the defendant conferences. Institutions will be required to upload signed agreements into the reporting system within the specified time period. (Bylaw 16.13.2)

Institutions will attest annually within the cap management reporting system to the total amount and types of payments, benefits and expenses that count against the previous year’s benefit cap. (Bylaw 16.13.3)

Benefits from individuals or entities outside the institution do not count against the institution’s benefits cap unless provided on behalf of the institution; however, payments made by or on behalf of a company owned, operated or controlled by an institution must be included. (Bylaw 16.13.1.1)

Summary of Legislative Changes – Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement – NCAA Division I Bylaw 17

Sport-specific roster limits will apply to any institution that chooses to provide new settlement-related benefits to student-athletes. (NCAA Bylaw 17.2)

Additional legislation will be developed to address the application of sport-specific roster limitations.

Summary of Legislative Changes Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement NCAA Division I Bylaw 22 – Proposal Nos. 2025-12 & 2025-16

Division I institutions that choose to provide settlement-related benefits will be permitted to: (1) Enter into exclusive or nonexclusive licenses with student-athletes for the use of their NIL outside of broadcasts, and (2) Serve as a marketing agent for a student-athlete with respect to third-party NIL agreements (a parent, guardian, lawyer or other competent representative is permitted to assist the student-athlete in such decisions, unless waived by the student-athlete). Any direct institutional payments made to a student-athlete for use of the student-athlete’s name, image or likeness will count toward an institution’s annual benefits cap. (NCAA Bylaws 22.1.1 and 16.3.1.1)

Student-athletes will be required to report all third-party NIL agreements (including those with associated entities and individuals) equal to or greater than $600 in the aggregate to the NIL Clearinghouse. (Bylaw 22.2.2)

The NIL clearinghouse will evaluate all reported NIL agreements involving associated entities and individuals to determine whether (1) a valid business purpose exists and (2) the payment does not exceed the range of compensation standard. The clearinghouse will clear reported agreements with associated entities or individuals that meet these standards. (Bylaws 22.01, 22.02 and 22.2.4)

Student-athletes may submit a proposed NIL agreement with an associated entity or individual, that has not yet been executed or paid, to the NIL clearinghouse for review prior to moving forward with the contract. If the proposed agreement does not meet the required standards, the student-athlete may rescind or revise and resubmit the agreement. (see Bylaws 22.2.4.1 & 22.2.4.2 in Proposal No. 2025-16)

If an executed NIL agreement with an associated entity or individual reported to the NIL clearinghouse after execution or payment does not meet the required standards, the contract may be rescinded, revised and resubmitted, or the clearinghouse outcome may be contested through neutral arbitration. (see Bylaw 22.2.4.3 in Proposal No. 2025-16)

Summary of Legislative Changes Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement NCAA Division I Bylaw 23 – Proposal No. 2025-13

The defendant conferences will develop and operate an enforcement entity that will enforce NCAA bylaws established to implement the terms of the House settlement, including compliance with the new roster limits, the provision of direct financial benefits to student-athletes consistent with the new benefits pool, and meeting requirements for third-party NIL agreements with associated individuals or entities.

The designated enforcement entity will be responsible for investigating alleged violations, prescribing penalties for violations, and representing the enforcement perspective in any penalties contested through the neutral arbitration process. (NCAA Bylaw 23.02.3)

Substantial authority will rest with the chief executive officer (CEO) of the new enforcement entity. The CEO will have broad discretion to determine violations and penalties in a timely manner. (Bylaws 23.1.3-23.1.5 & 23.2.1)

Investigations of alleged violations of settlement-related bylaws may be resolved via negotiated resolution if the designated enforcement entity, institution and/or involved individuals (including student-athletes) agree on the relevant facts, underlying violations and penalties. The CEO will review the parties’ written agreement and determine whether to approve the case via negotiated resolution. Resolving violations of settlement-related bylaws through the negotiated resolution process waives the parties’ future opportunity to contest penalties through neutral arbitration or otherwise. (Bylaws 23.1.1-23.1.2)

An institution or student-athlete may contest a decision made by the designated enforcement entity through a neutral arbitration process. (Bylaw 23.3)

Arbitration proceedings should be completed within 45 days unless good cause exists to warrant additional time. Prescribed penalties will be stayed for the duration of the arbitration, unless good cause exists to lift the stay. The neutral arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding to the extent permitted by applicable law. An institution will pay the neutral arbitrator’s reasonable expenses associated with contesting any penalties on its own behalf or that of a penalized student-athlete. (Bylaws 23.3, 23.3.1, 23.1.1.1, 23.3.2)

Summary of Legislative Changes Implementation of House v. NCAA Settlement Various NCAA Division I Bylaws – Proposal No. 2025-14

Generally, this proposal includes substantive and editorial adjustments to implement the terms of the House settlement in various bylaws, including NCAA Bylaws 8 (Institutional Control), 11 (Athletics Personnel), 13 (Recruiting), 18 (Championships and Postseason Football), 20 (Division Membership), 21 (Governance Structure and Committees) and 31 (Executive Regulations).

Legislation related to financial donations from outside organizations is moved from Bylaw 12 to Bylaw 8.

Various references to “amateurism” are changed to “athletics eligibility.”

The recruiting legislation is amended to conform to the consent judgment in Tennessee v. NCAA.

Changes to Bylaw 20 are consistent with changes to the financial aid legislation (Bylaw 15).

ATTACHMENT D

2025-8 ATHLETICS ELIGIBILITY – IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSE V. NCAA SETTLEMENT

Status:Draft

Intent: To implement the provisions of the House settlement related to Bylaw 12, as specified. Note: This proposal also includes editorial revisions and reformatting.

Bylaws: Amend 12, as follows:

12 Amateurism and Athletics Eligibility

12.01 General Principles.

12.01.1 Eligibility for Intercollegiate Athletics Participation. Only an amateur a student-athlete who meets the governing athletics eligibility legislation and interpretations is eligible for intercollegiate athletics participation in a particular sport. An individual who receives direct or indirect payment for athletics participation, except as permitted by the governing legislation and interpretations, is considered a professional athlete. 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.

12.01.2 Clear Line of Demarcation. Member institutions’ athletics programs are designed to be an integral part of the educational program. The student-athlete is considered an integral part of the student body, thus maintaining a clear line of demarcation between college athletics and professional sports.

12.01.32 “Individual” vs. “Student-Athlete.” NCAA amateur status eligibility may be lost as a result of activities before enrollment in college. If NCAA rules specify that an “individual” may or may not participate in certain activities, this term refers to a person before and after enrollment in a member institution. If NCAA rules specify a “student-athlete,” the legislation applies only to that person’s activities after enrollment.

12.01.4 Permissible Grant-in-Aid. A grant-in-aid administered by an educational institution is not considered to be pay or the promise of pay for athletics skill, provided it does not exceed the financial aid limitations set by the membership.

12.02 Definitions and Applications.

12.02.1 Agent. An agent is an individual who, directly or indirectly:

(a) Represents or attempts to represent an individual for the purpose of marketing the individual’s athletics ability or reputation for financial gain; or

(b) Seeks to obtain any type of financial gain or benefit from securing a prospective student-athlete’s enrollment at an educational institution or from a student-athlete’s potential earnings as a professional athlete.

12.02.1.1 Application. An agent may include, but is not limited to, a certified contract advisor, financial advisor, marketing representative, brand manager or anyone who is employed or associated with such persons.

12.02.1.2 NCAA Certification Requirement — Men’s Basketball. In men’s basketball, any individual who solicits a prospective or enrolled student‐athlete to enter into an agency contract or attempts to obtain employment for an individual with a professional sports team or organization or as a professional athlete must be certified and maintain active certification per the policies and procedures of the NCAA agent certification program. (See Bylaw 12.3.1.3.)

12.02.1.2.1 Exception. A family member of a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or an individual acting solely on behalf of a professional sports team or organization is not required to be certified through the NCAA agent certification program.

12.02.1.2.2 Responsibility of NCAA-Certified Agent. An NCAA-certified agent is presumed responsible for the actions of all employees who report, directly or indirectly, to the NCAA-certified agent. Improper conduct of an NCAA-certified agent’s employees shall subject the agent to disciplinary action pursuant to the NCAA agent certification program.

12.02.21 Actual and Necessary Expenses. Actual and necessary expenses are limited to defined as:

(a) Meals;

(b) Lodging;

(d) Coaching and instruction;

(e) Health/medical insurance;

(f) Transportation (expenses to and from practice and competition, cost of transportation from home to training/practice site at the beginning of the season/preparation for an event and from training/practice/event site to home at the end of season/event);

(g) Medical expenses treatment and physical therapy;

(h) Facility usage;

(i) Entry fees; and

(j) Other reasonable expenses (e.g., entertainment).

12.02.21.1 Application Calculation of Actual and Necessary Expenses – Limited to Specific Individuals. Unless otherwise permitted by NCAA bylaws, actual and necessary expenses may be provided only if such expenses are for competition on a team or in a specific event or for practice that is directly related to such competition. The value of such expenses must be commensurate with the fair market value of similar goods and services in the locality in which the expenses are provided and must not be excessive in nature. Actual The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual who is permitted to receive the expenses pursuant to the applicable legislation (e.g., individual who participates as a member of the team or in a specific event, family member).

12.02.31.2 Calculation of Actual and Necessary Expenses — Individual Sports and Women’s Beach Volleyball. In individual sports and women’s beach volleyball, the calculation of an individual’s actual and necessary expenses shall be based on expenses incurred during each calendar year (January-December), rather than on an event-by-event basis.

12.02.42 Family Member. A family member is an individual with any of the following relationships to the prospective student-athlete: spouse, parent or legal guardian, child, sibling, grandparent, domestic partner or any

individual whose close association with the prospective student-athlete is the practical equivalent of a family relationship.

12.02.5 Individual. An individual, for purposes of this bylaw, is any person of any age without reference to enrollment in an educational institution or status as a student-athlete.

[12.02.6 through 12.02.9 renumbered as 12.02.3 through 12.02.6, unchanged.]

12.02.10 Pay. Pay is the receipt of funds, awards or benefits not permitted by the governing legislation of the Association for participation in athletics.

12.02.11 Professional Athlete. A professional athlete is one who receives any kind of payment, directly or indirectly, for athletics participation except as permitted by the governing legislation of the Association.

12.02.127 Professional Athletics Team. A professional team is any organized team that:

(a) Provides any of its players more than actual and necessary expenses for participation on the team, except as otherwise permitted by NCAA legislation. Actual and necessary expenses are limited to the items listed in Bylaw 12.02.2, provided the value of these items is commensurate with the fair market value in the locality of the players and is not excessive in nature; or

(b) Declares itself to be professional.

12.02.8 Professional Sports Agent. A professional sports agent is a person who, directly or indirectly represents or attempts to represent any individual for the purpose of marketing the individual’s athletics ability or reputation as a professional athlete for financial gain, or seeks to obtain any type of financial gain or benefit from a student-athlete’s potential earnings as a professional athlete. A professional sports agent may include, but is not limited to, a certified contract advisor, financial advisor, marketing representative, brand manager or anyone who is employed or associated with such persons.

[12.02.13 renumbered as 12.02.9, unchanged.]

12.02.14 Student-Athlete. A student-athlete is a student whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of athletics interests with a view toward the student’s ultimate participation in the intercollegiate athletics program. Any other student becomes a student-athlete only when the student reports for an intercollegiate squad that is under the jurisdiction of the athletics department, as specified in Bylaw 20.2.4.7. A student is not deemed a student-athlete solely on the basis of prior high school athletics participation.

12.02.10 Road Racing. Road racing is considered the same as cross country or track and field for purposes of Bylaws 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and 12.8.3.2.

12.02.11 Track and Field and Cross Country. Cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field shall be considered separate sports for purposes of Bylaw 12.8.3.

[12.02.15 renumbered as 12.02.12, unchanged.]

12.02.13 Use of Overall Athletics Skill. An individual who receives funds, awards, benefits or expenses not permitted by the governing legislation or interpretations for the use of overall athletics skill (e.g., superstars competition) is ineligible for competition in all sports.

[12.02.16 renumbered as 12.02.14, unchanged.]

12.1 General Regulations Athletics Eligibility. An individual must comply with the following to retain amateur status. An individual shall not receive or accept a promise to receive funds, awards, benefits or expenses not permitted by the governing legislation and interpretations for athletics eligibility. (See Bylaw 12.12 regarding the eligibility restoration process.)

12.1.1 Validity of Amateur Athletics Eligibility Status. As a condition and obligation of membership, it is the responsibility of an institution to determine the validity of the information on which the amateur athletics eligibility status of a prospective student-athlete (including two-year and four-year college transfers initially enrolling at an NCAA Division I institution) and student-athlete is based. (See Bylaw 14.01.3.)

12.1.1.1 Amateurism Athletics Eligibility Certification Process. An institution shall use an initial eligibility center approved by the Board of Governors to determine the validity of the information on which the amateur athletics eligibility status of a student-athlete is based.

12.1.1.1.1 Scope. The certification of amateur athletics eligibility status issued by the NCAA Eligibility Center is limited to activities that occur before the prospective student-athlete’s request for final amateurism certification or the prospective student-athlete’s initial, full-time enrollment at an NCAA member institution, whichever occurs earlier.

12.1.1.1.2 Institutional Responsibilities.

12.1.1.1.2.1 Amateur Athletics Eligibility Status After Certification. An institution is responsible for certifying the amateur athletics eligibility status of a prospective student-athlete (including two-year and four-year college transfers initially enrolling at an NCAA Division I institution) from the time the prospective student-athlete requests that a final certification be issued by the NCAA Eligibility Center or from the time the prospective student-athlete initially enrolls as a full-time student at an NCAA member institution (whichever occurs earlier).

12.1.1.1.2.2 Sharing Information and Reporting Discrepancies. If an institution receives additional information or otherwise has cause to believe that a prospective student-athlete’s amateur athletics eligibility status has been jeopardized, the institution is responsible for promptly notifying the NCAA Eligibility Center of such information. Further, an institution is responsible for promptly reporting to the NCAA Eligibility Center all discrepancies in information related to a student-athlete’s amateurism certification.

12.1.1.1.3 Eligibility for Practice or Competition. Before engaging in practice or competition, a student-athlete shall receive a final certification of amateur athletics eligibility status based on activities that occur before the student-athlete’s request for final certification or initial, full-time enrollment at an NCAA Division I or II institution (whichever occurs earlier).

12.1.1.1.3.1 Temporary Certification. If a prospective student-athlete reports for athletics participation before the student’s amateur athletics eligibility status has been certified, the student may practice, but not compete, for a maximum period of 45 days. After this period, the student’s amateur athletics eligibility status must be certified in order to continue to practice or to compete.

[12.1.1.1.3.2 unchanged.]
[12.1.1.1.4 unchanged.]

12.1.2 Amateur Status. An individual loses amateur status and thus shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the individual:

(a) Uses athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport;

(b) Accepts a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation;

(c) Signs a contract or commitment of any kind to play professional athletics, regardless of its legal enforceability or any consideration received, except as permitted in Bylaw 12.2.5.1;

(d) Receives, directly or indirectly, a salary, reimbursement of expenses or any other form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization based on athletics skill or participation, except as permitted by NCAA rules and regulations;

(e) Competes on any professional athletics team per Bylaw 12.02.12, even if no pay or remuneration for expenses was received, except as permitted in Bylaw 12.2.3.2.1;

(f) After initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, enters into a professional draft (see Bylaw 12.2.4); or

(g) Enters into an agreement with an agent.

12.1.2.1 Prohibited Forms of Pay. “Pay,” as used in Bylaw 12.1.2 above, includes, but is not limited to, the following:

12.1.2.1.1 Salary, Gratuity or Compensation. Any direct or indirect salary, gratuity or comparable compensation.

12.1.2.1.2 Division or Split of Surplus. Any division or split of surplus (bonuses, game receipts, etc.).

12.1.2.1.3 Educational Expenses. Educational expenses not permitted by the governing legislation (see Bylaw15 regarding permissible financial aid to enrolled student-athletes).

12.1.2 Permissible Funds, Awards, Benefits or Expenses. The receipt of funds, awards, benefits or expenses pursuant to the following provisions is permitted.

12.1.2.1.3.1 Educational Expenses or Services — Before Collegiate Enrollment. A prospective student-athlete may receive educational expenses or services (e.g., tuition, fees, living expenses, books, tutoring, standardized test preparatory classes) before collegiate enrollment from any individual or entity other than an a professional sports agent, member institution or a representative of an institution’s athletics interests, provided the payment for such expenses or services is disbursed directly to the individual, organization or educational institution (e.g., high school, preparatory school) providing the educational expenses or services.

12.1.2.1.3.2 Educational Expenses From Outside Sports Team or Organization — After Collegiate Enrollment. Educational expenses provided to an individual after initial collegiate enrollment by an outside sports team or organization that are based in any degree on the recipient’s athletics ability [except for financial aid that is received from a team or organization that conducts a competitive sports program by an individual who is not a member of that team

or organization (see Bylaw 15.2.6.4)], even if the funds are given to the institution to administer to the recipient.

12.1.2.1.3.2.1 Educational Expenses — Olympic Committee. A student-athlete may receive educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (or for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country) pursuant to the applicable conditions set forth in Bylaw 15.2.6.5.

12.1.2.1.3.2.2 Educational Expenses — National Governing Body. A student-athlete may receive educational expenses awarded by a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country) pursuant to the applicable conditions set forth in Bylaw 15.2.6.5.

12.1.2.1.4 Expenses, Awards and Benefits. Excessive or improper expenses, awards and benefits.

12.1.2.1.4.1 Cash or Equivalent Award. Cash, or the equivalent thereof (e.g., trust fund), as an award for participation in competition at any time, even if such an award is permitted under the rules governing an amateur, noncollegiate event in which the individual is participating. An award or a cash prize that an individual could not receive under NCAA legislation may not be forwarded in the individual’s name to a different individual or agency.

12.1.2.1.4.1.1 Exception — Prospective Student-Athlete’s Educational Institution. A financial award may be provided to a prospective student-athlete’s educational institution in conjunction with the prospective student-athlete being recognized as part of an awards program in which athletics participation, interests or ability is a criterion, but not the sole criterion, in the selection process. Such an award must also include nonathletics criteria, such as the prospective student-athlete’s academic record and nonathletics extracurricular activities and may not be based on the prospective student-athlete’s place finish or performance in a particular athletics event. In addition, it is permissible for an outside organization (other than a professional sports organization) to provide actual and necessary expenses for the prospective student-athlete (and the prospective student-athlete’s family members) to travel to a recognition event designed to recognize the prospective student-athlete’s accomplishments in conjunction with selection as the recipient of a regional, national or international award.

12.1.2.1.4.1.23.3 Operation Gold Grant. An individual may accept funds that are administered by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold program.

12.1.2.1.4.1.3.4 Incentive Programs for International Athletes. An international prospective student-athlete or international student-athlete may accept funds from a country’s national Olympic and/or Paralympic governing body (equivalent to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee) based on place finish in one event per year that is designated as the highest level of international competition for the year by the governing body.

12.1.2.1.4.2 Expenses/Awards Prohibited by Rules Governing Event. Expenses incurred or awards received by an individual that are prohibited by the rules governing an amateur, noncollegiate event in which the individual participates.

12.1.2.1.4.32 Expenses from an Outside Sponsor.

12.1.2.2.1 Participation as a Member of a Team. An individual who participates in a sport as a member of a team may receive actual and necessary expenses for competition and practice held in preparation for such competition (directly related to the competition and conducted during a continuous time period preceding the competition) from an outside sponsor (e.g., team, neighbor, business) other than an agent or a representative of an institution’s athletics interests (and, after initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, other than a professional sports organization).

12.1.2.2.2 Participation as an Individual. An individual who participates in a sport as an individual (not a member of a team) may receive actual and necessary expenses associated with an athletics event and practice immediately preceding the event, from an outside sponsor (e.g., neighbor, business) other than an agent or a representative of an institution’s athletics interests (and, after initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, other than a professional sports organization).

12.1.2.12.42.3.1 Expenses Before Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment — Professional Sports Organization. Before full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to actual and necessary expenses for competition and practice held in preparation for such competition from a professional sports organization that sponsors the event.

12.1.2.1.4.3.23.5 Expenses/Benefits Related to Olympic or Paralympic Games. Members of an Olympic or Paralympic team may receive all nonmonetary benefits and awards provided to members of an Olympic or Paralympic team beyond actual and necessary expenses and any other item or service for which it can be demonstrated that the same benefit is available to all members of that nation’s Olympic or Paralympic team or the specific sport Olympic or Paralympic team.

12.1.2.1.4.43 Expenses for Family Members of Participants in Athletics Competition. Expenses received by the The family members of a participant in athletics competition may receive actual and necessary expenses from a nonprofessional organization sponsoring the competition in excess of actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses, or any entertainment expenses, unless provided such expenses are made available to the family members of all participants in the competition.

12.1.2.1.4.43.1 Postseason Events. A student-athlete may designate either additional individuals or substitutes (not to exceed a total of six individuals) to receive entertainment expenses related to an event organized by the nonprofessional sponsor of a postseason game specifically for the family members of participating student-athletes. [See Bylaw 17.11.6.2.1-(c).] The additional individuals or substitutes designated by the student-athlete shall be subject to the review and approval of the institution’s athletics director (or designee).

12.1.2.1.5 Payment Based on Performance. Any payment conditioned on the individual’s or team’s place finish or performance or given on an incentive basis that exceeds actual and necessary expenses, or receipt of expenses in excess of the same reasonable amount for permissible expenses given to all individuals or team members involved in the competition.

12.1.2.1.5.1 Operation Gold Grant. An individual (prospective student-athlete or student-athlete) may accept funds that are administered by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold program.

12.1.2.1.5.2 Incentive Programs for International Athletes. An international prospective student-athlete or international student-athlete may accept funds from a country’s national Olympic and/or Paralympic governing body (equivalent to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee) based on place finish in one event per year that is designated as the highest level of international competition for the year by the governing body.

12.1.2.1.5.3 Awards Based on Performance in Outside Competition. An individual may receive an award (e.g., trophy, medal, saddle) based on place finish or performance in outside competition, subject to the applicable awards limits (see Bylaw 16.1).

12.1.2.1.6 Preferential Treatment, Benefits or Services. Preferential treatment, benefits or services because of the individual’s athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potential as a professional athlete, unless such treatment, benefits or services are specifically permitted under NCAA legislation. [R]

12.1.2.1.7 Prize for Participation in Institution’s Promotional Activity. Receipt of a prize for participation (involving the use of athletics ability) in a member institution’s promotional activity that is inconsistent with the provisions of Bylaw 12.5 or approved official interpretations.

12.1.2.2 Use of Overall Athletics Skill — Effect on Eligibility. Participation for pay in competition that involves the use of overall athletics skill (e.g., “superstars” competition) constitutes a violation of amateur-status regulations; therefore, an individual participating for pay in such competition is ineligible for intercollegiate competition in all sports. (See Bylaw 12.5.2.3.3 for exception related to promotional contests.)

12.1.2.3 Road Racing. “Road racing” is essentially the same as cross country or track and field competition and cannot be separated effectively from those sports for purposes of Bylaws 12.1, 12.2 and 12.8.3.2. Therefore, a student-athlete who accepts pay in any form for participation in such a race is ineligible for intercollegiate cross country or track and field competition.

12.1.2.4 Exceptions to Amateurism Rule.

12.1.2.4.13 Exception for Prize Money or Payment Based on Performance.

12.1.2.3.1 Sports Other Than Tennis. In sports other than tennis, an individual may accept prize money based on place finish or performance in an athletics event. Such prize money may not exceed actual and necessary expenses and may be provided only by the sponsor of the event. The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual (e.g., coach’s fees or expenses, family member’s expenses).

12.1.2.43.2 Exception for Prize Money — Tennis.

12.1.2.43.2.1 Before Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment. In tennis, before full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to $10,000 per calendar year in prize money based on place finish or performance in athletics events. Such prize money may be provided only by the sponsor of an event in which the individual participates. Once the individual has accepted $10,000 in prize money in a particular year, the individual may receive additional prize money on a per-event basis, provided such prize money does not exceed the individual’s actual and necessary expenses for participation in the event. The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual (e.g., coach’s fees or expenses, family member’s expenses).

12.1.2.43.2.2 After Initial, Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment. In tennis, after initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept prize money based on place finish or performance in an athletics event. Such prize money may not exceed actual and necessary expenses and may be provided only by the sponsor of the event. The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual (e.g., coach’s fees or expenses, family member’s expenses).

12.1.2.4.3 Exception for Payment Based on Team Performance. An individual may accept payment from an amateur team or the sponsor of the event based on a team’s place finish or performance, or given on an incentive basis (e.g., bonus), provided the combination of such payments and expenses provided to the individual does not exceed actual and necessary expenses to participate on the team. The calculation of actual and necessary expenses shall not include the expenses or fees of anyone other than the individual (e.g., coach’s fees or expenses, family member’s expenses).

12.1.2.4.4 Exception for Loan Against Future Professional Earnings Potential for Insurance. An individual may borrow against future professional earnings potential from an established, accredited commercial lending institution for the purpose of purchasing insurance incidental to participation in athletics (e.g., critical injury or illness, loss of value) (see Bylaw 16.11.1.4), provided a third party (including a representative of an institution’s athletics interests) is not involved in arrangements for securing the loan. However, an institution’s president or chancellor (or a designated representative from outside the department of athletics) may designate an institutional staff member (or staff members) (e.g., professional sports counseling panel) to assist a student-athlete with arrangements for securing the loan and insurance.

12.1.2.4.5 Exception for Institutional Fundraising Activities Involving the Athletics Ability of Student- Athletes. Institutional, charitable or educational promotions or fundraising activities that involve the use of athletics ability by a student-athlete to obtain funds (e.g., “swim-a-thons”) are permitted only if:

(a) All money derived from the activity or project goes directly to the institution, conference or the charitable, educational or nonprofit agency;

(b) The student-athlete receives no compensation or prizes for participation; and

12.1.2.4.63.3 Exception for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Elite Athlete Health Insurance Program. An individual may receive the comprehensive benefits of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Elite Athlete Health Insurance Program.

12.1.2.4.73.1 Exception for Training Expenses. An individual may receive actual and necessary expenses for training (including grants, but not prize money, whereby the recipient has qualified for the grant based on performance in a specific event or events) to cover developmental training, coaching, facility usage, equipment, apparel, supplies, comprehensive health insurance, travel, housing and food without jeopardizing the individual’s eligibility for intercollegiate athletics, provided such expenses are approved and provided directly by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the appropriate national governing body in the sport (or, for international student-athletes, the equivalent organization of that nation) or a governmental entity.

12.1.2.4.83.2 Exception for Developmental Training Expenses for Elite Athletes. An individual (prospective or enrolled student-athlete) who has been designated by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sport-affiliated national governing body (or the international equivalent) as an elite athlete may receive actual and necessary expenses for training expenses related to training, coaching, sport experts other than coaches, training partners, facility usage, equipment, apparel, supplies, comprehensive health insurance, travel (including and travel for parents or guardians, coaches, sport experts and training partners), housing and food without jeopardizing the individual’s eligibility for intercollegiate athletics, provided such expenses are approved and provided directly by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or the appropriate national governing body in the sport (or, for international student-athletes, the equivalent organization of that nation).

12.1.2.4.93.7 Exception for Benefits to Family Members — National Team Competition. A commercial company (other than a professional sports organization) or members of the local community may provide actual and necessary expenses for an individual’s family members to attend national team competition in which the individual will participate. In addition, an individual’s family members may receive nonmonetary benefits provided to the family members of all national team members in conjunction with participation in national team competition. (See Bylaw 16.02.4.)

12.1.2.4.105 Exception for Payment of NCAA Eligibility Center Fee. A high school booster club (as opposed to specific individuals) may pay the necessary fee for prospective student-athletes at that high school to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center, provided no particular prospective student-athlete is singled out because of athletics ability or reputation.

12.1.2.4.116 Exception for NCAA College Basketball Academies. The NCAA may provide actual and necessary expenses for a prospective student-athlete and one individual accompanying the prospective-student athlete to attend an NCAA College Basketball Academy per the policies and procedures of the NCAA College Basketball Academy.

12.1.2.4.12 Exception for Camp or Academy Sponsored by a Professional Sports Organization. An individual may receive actual and necessary expenses from a professional sports organization to attend an academy, camp or clinic, provided:

(a) No NCAA institution or conference owns or operates the academy, camp or clinic;

(b) No camp participant is above the age of 15;

(c) The professional sports organization provides to the participants nothing more than actual and necessary expenses to attend the camp or clinic and equipment/apparel necessary for participation;

(d) Athletics ability or achievements may not be the sole criterion for selecting participants; and

(e) Academy participants must be provided with academic services (e.g., tutoring).

12.1.2.4.13 Exception for Receipt of Free Equipment and Apparel Items by a Prospective Student- Athlete. It is permissible for prospective student-athletes (as opposed to student-athletes) to receive free equipment and apparel items for personal use from apparel or equipment manufacturers or distributors under the following circumstances:

(a) The apparel or equipment items are related to the prospective student-athlete’s sport and are received directly from an apparel or equipment manufacturer or distributor;

(b) The prospective student-athlete does not enter into an arrangement (e.g., open account) with an apparel or equipment manufacturer or distributor that permits the prospective student-athlete to select apparel and equipment items from a commercial establishment of the manufacturer or distributor; and

(c) A member institution’s coach is not involved in any manner in identifying or assisting an apparel or equipment manufacturer or distributor in determining whether a prospective student-athlete is to receive any apparel or equipment items.

12.1.2.4.143.8 Expenses for Participation in Olympic or Paralympic Exhibitions. An individual may receive actual and necessary expenses from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, national governing body or the nonprofessional organizations sponsoring the event to participate in Olympic or Paralympic tours or exhibitions involving Olympic or Paralympic team members and/or members of the national team, provided that if the individual is a student-athlete, no class time is missed, and the exhibition does not conflict with dates of institutional competition.

12.1.2.4.153.9 Commemorative Items for Student-Athletes Participating in Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World University Games (Universiade), World University Championships, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships and World Cup Events. It is permissible for student-athletes to An individual may receive commemorative items incidental to participation in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World University Games (Universiade), World University Championships, Pan American Games, Parapan American Games, World Championships and World Cup events through the applicable national governing body. These benefits may include any and all apparel, leisure wear, footwear and other items that are provided to all athletes participating in the applicable event.

12.1.2.4.16 Exception — NCAA First-Team Program. A prospective student-athlete who is a participant in the NCAA First-Team Mentoring Program may receive actual and necessary expenses to attend the First-Team Program’s annual educational conference and training seminar.

12.1.3 Amateur Status if Professional in Another 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.

12.1.3 Permissible Funds, Awards, Benefits or Expenses – Olympic and Paralympic Committee/National Governing Body. The receipt of funds, awards, benefits or expenses pursuant to the following provisions is permitted.

[Provisions moved from sections above and renumbered as noted above.]

12.2 Involvement With Professional Teams.

12.2.1 Tryouts and Practice Without Competition.

[12.2.1.1 unchanged.]

12.2.1.2 Tryout or Practice After Enrollment. After initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual who has eligibility remaining may try out with a professional athletics team (or participate in a combine including that team) at any time, provided the individual does not miss class. The individual may receive actual and necessary expenses in conjunction with one 48-hour tryout per professional team (or a combine including that team). The 48-hour tryout period shall begin at the time the individual arrives at the tryout location. At the completion of the 48-hour period, the individual must depart the location of the tryout immediately in order to receive return transportation expenses. A tryout may extend beyond 48 hours if the individual self-finances additional expenses, including return transportation. A self-financed tryout may be for any length of time, provided the individual does not miss class.

12.2.1.2.1 Exception for Major League Baseball Draft Combine. In baseball, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from Major League Baseball or the national governing body to attend the MLB draft combine regardless of the duration of the combine.

12.2.1.2.2 Exception for Basketball Draft Combine. In basketball, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from a professional sports organization to attend that organization’s basketball draft combine regardless of the duration of the camp. [See Bylaw 14.6.4-(e).]
[12.2.1.2.3 unchanged.]

12.2.1.2.4 Exception for National Hockey League Scouting Combine — Men’s Ice Hockey. In men’s ice hockey, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from the National Hockey League to attend the NHL scouting combine regardless of the duration of the combine.

12.2.1.2.5 Exception for Major League Soccer Showcase. In men’s soccer, a student-athlete an individual may receive actual and necessary travel, housing and food expenses from Major League Soccer to attend the MLS Showcase regardless of the duration of the event and without such activity being considered a tryout with a professional team. An individual who is invited to participate in a professional organization’s draft combine is permitted to miss class for such participation and associated travel.

12.2.1.2.6 Exception — Postseason Practice Session — Football. In football, a student-athlete an individual may participate in a postseason practice per Bylaw 17.11.7.4 without such activity being considered a tryout with a professional team.

12.2.1.2.7 Outside Competition Prohibited. During a tryout, an individual may not take part in any outside competition (games or scrimmages) as a representative of a professional team.

12.2.2 Practice Without Competition.

12.2.2.1 Before Enrollment. Before initial, full-time enrollment in a collegiate institution, an individual may participate in practice sessions conducted by a professional team, provided not more than actual and necessary expenses are received to participate.

12.2.2.2 After Enrollment. After initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may participate in practice sessions conducted by a professional team, provided such participation meets the requirements of Bylaw 12.2.1.2 and the individual does not:

(a) Receive any compensation for participation in the practice sessions;

(b) Enter into any contract or agreement with a professional team or sports organization; or

12.2.1.2.37 Prohibited Involvement of Institution’s Coach. An institution’s coaching staff member may not arrange for or direct student-athletes’ participation in football or basketball practice sessions conducted by a professional team.

12.2.32 Competition.

[12.2.3.1 renumbered as 12.2.2.1, unchanged.]

12.2.32.2 Competition With Professionals. An individual shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics in a sport if the individual ever competed compete on a professional team (per Bylaw 12.02.12) in that sport. However, an individual may compete on a tennis, golf, two-person beach volleyball or two-person synchronized diving team with persons who are competing for cash or a comparable prize, provided the individual does not receive payment or prize money that exceeds actual and necessary expenses, which may only be provided by the sponsor of the event.

[12.2.3.2.1 through 12.2.3.2.3 renumbered as 12.2.2.2.1 through 12.2.2.2.3, unchanged.]

12.2.32.2.4 Exception — Olympic, Paralympic or National Teams. It is permissible for an individual (prospective student-athlete or student-athletes) to participate on Olympic, Paralympic or national teams that are competing for prize money or are being compensated by the governing body to participate in a specific event, provided the student-athlete does not accept prize money or any other compensation (other than actual and necessary expenses).

[12.2.3.3 renumbered as 12.2.2.3, unchanged.]

12.2.43 Draft and Inquiry.

12.2.43.1 Inquiry. An individual may inquire of a professional sports organization about eligibility for a professional-league player draft or request information about the individual’s market value without affecting the individual’s amateur eligibility status.

12.2.43.2 Draft List – General Rule. After initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual loses amateur status in a particular sport when the individual asks shall not request to be placed on the draft list or supplemental draft list of a professional league in that sport, even though:

(a) The individual asks to be removed from the draft list before the actual draft;

(b) The individual’s name remains on the list but the individual is not drafted; or

12.2.43.2.1 Exception — Men’s Basketball — Four-Year College Student-Athlete.

12.2.43.2.1.1 National Basketball Association. In men’s basketball, a student-athlete may enter the National Basketball Association’s draft each year during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided:

[12.2.4.2.1.1-(a) through 12.2.4.2.1.1-(d) renumbered as 12.2.3.2.1.1-(a) through 12.2.3.2.1.1-(d), unchanged.]

12.2.43.2.1.2 Professional League Other Than the National Basketball Association. In men’s basketball, a student-athlete may enter a professional league’s draft (other than the National Basketball Association’s draft) each year during the student-athlete’s four-year college participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided:

[12.2.4.2.1.2-(a) through 12.2.4.2.1.2-(c) renumbered as 12.2.3.2.1.2-(a) through 12.2.3.2.1.2-(c), unchanged.]

12.2.43.2.2 Exception — Basketball — Two-Year College Prospective Student-Athlete. In basketball, a prospective student-athlete enrolled at a two-year collegiate institution may enter a professional league’s draft one time during the prospective student-athlete’s two-year college participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the prospective student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league.

12.2.43.2.3 Exception — Women’s Basketball — Four-Year College Student-Athlete. In women’s basketball, a student-athlete may enter a professional league’s draft one time during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares the intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 30 days after the draft. The student-athlete’s declaration of intent shall be in writing to the institution’s director of athletics.

12.2.43.2.4 Exception — Football. In football, a student-athlete (as opposed to a prospective student-athlete) may enter the National Football League draft one time during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in that sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted by any team in that league and the student-athlete declares the intention to resume intercollegiate participation within 72 hours following the National Football League draft

declaration date. The student-athlete’s declaration of intent shall be in writing to the institution’s director of athletics.

12.2.43.2.5 Exception — Sports Other Than Basketball and Football. A student-athlete in a sport other than basketball or football may enter a professional league’s draft one time during collegiate participation without jeopardizing eligibility in the applicable sport, provided the student-athlete is not drafted and, within 72 hours following the draft, declares the intention to resume participation in intercollegiate athletics. The student-athlete’s declaration of intent shall be in writing to the institution’s director of athletics.

12.2.43.3 Negotiations. An individual may request information about professional market value without affecting amateur status. Further, the individual (or family members) or the institution’s professional sports counseling panel may enter into negotiations with a professional sports organization without the loss of the individual’s amateur status. An individual who retains an agent shall lose amateur status.

12.2.54 Contracts and Compensation. An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if the individual has entered not enter into any kind of agreement to compete in professional athletics, either orally or in writing, regardless of the legal enforceability of that agreement.

[12.2.5.1 through 12.2.5.2 renumbered as 12.2.4.1 through 12.2.4.2, unchanged.]

12.3 Use of Agents.

12.3.1 General Rule Professional Sports Agent. An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if the individual ever has agreed not agree (orally or in writing) to be represented by an a professional sports agent for the purpose of marketing athletics ability or reputation in that a sport to secure an opportunity as a professional athlete. Further, an An agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports shall be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate in any sport.

12.3.1.1 Exception — Baseball and Men’s Ice Hockey — Before Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment. In baseball and men’s ice hockey, before full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual who is drafted by a professional baseball or men’s ice hockey team may be represented by an a professional sports agent or attorney during contract negotiations. The individual may not receive benefits (other than representation) from the agent or attorney and must pay the going rate for the representation. If the individual does not sign a contract with the professional team, the agreement for representation with the agent or attorney must be terminated before full-time collegiate enrollment.

12.3.1.2 Exception — NCAA-Certified Agents — Men’s Basketball.

12.3.1.2.1 NCAA Certification Requirement — Men’s Basketball. In men’s basketball, any individual who solicits a prospective or enrolled student‐athlete to enter into an agency contract or attempts to obtain employment for an individual with a professional sports team or organization or as a professional athlete must be certified and maintain active certification per the policies and procedures of the NCAA agent certification program. (See Bylaw 12.3.1.3.)

12.3.1.2.1.1 Exception. A family member of a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or an individual acting solely on behalf of a professional sports team or organization is not required to be certified through the NCAA agent certification program.

12.3.1.2.1.2 Responsibility of NCAA-Certified Agent. An NCAA-certified agent is presumed responsible for the actions of all employees who report, directly or indirectly, to the NCAA-certified agent. Improper conduct of an NCAA-certified agent’s employees shall subject the agent to disciplinary action pursuant to the NCAA agent certification program.

[12.3.1.2.1 through 12.3.1.2.6 renumbered as 12.3.1.2.2 through 12.3.1.2.7, unchanged.]
[12.3.1.3 unchanged.]

12.3.1.4 Benefits from Prospective Agents. An individual shall be ineligible per Bylaw 12.3.1 if the individual (or the individual’s family members or friends) accepts shall not accept transportation or other benefits from a professional sports agent:

(a) Any person who represents any individual in the marketing of athletics ability. The receipt of such expenses constitutes compensation based on athletics skill and is an extra benefit not available to the student body in general; or

(b) An agent, even if the agent has indicated no interest in representing the student-athlete in the marketing of the student-athlete’s athletics ability or reputation and does not represent individuals in the student-athlete’s sport.

12.3.1.5 Exception — Career Counseling and Internship/Job Placement Services. A student-athlete may use career counseling and internship/job placement services available exclusively to student-athletes, provided the student-athlete is not placed in a position in which the student-athlete uses athletics ability.

12.3.21.5 Legal Counsel. Securing advice from a lawyer concerning a proposed professional sports contract shall not be considered contracting for representation by an agent under this rule, unless the lawyer also represents the individual in negotiations for such a contract.

12.3.21.5.1 Presence of a Lawyer at Negotiations. A lawyer may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional sports organization or have direct contact (e.g., in person, telephone, electronic correspondence) with a professional sports organization on behalf of the individual. A lawyer’s presence during such discussions is considered representation by an agent.

12.3.3 Athletics Scholarship Agent. Any individual, agency or organization that represents a prospective student-athlete for compensation in placing the prospective student-athlete in a collegiate institution as a recipient of institutional financial aid shall be considered an agent or organization marketing the individual’s athletics ability or reputation.

12.3.3.1 Talent Evaluation Services and Agents. A prospective student-athlete may allow a scouting service or agent to distribute personal information (e.g., high school academic and athletics records, physical statistics) to member institutions without jeopardizing athletics eligibility, provided the fee paid to such an agent is not based on placing the prospective student-athlete in a collegiate institution as a recipient of institutional financial aid.

[12.3.4 renumbered as 12.3.2, unchanged.]

12.4 Employment Unrelated to Name, Image and Likeness Activities.

12.4.1 Criteria Governing Compensation to Student-Athletes. Compensation for employment unrelated to name, image and likeness activities (see Bylaw 22) may be paid to a student-athlete: [R]

(a) Only for work actually performed; and

(b) At a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.

12.4.1.1 Athletics Reputation. Such compensation may 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 obtained because of athletics ability.

12.4.2 Specific Athletically Related Employment Activities.

12.4.2.1 Fee-for-Lesson Instruction. A student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills or techniques in the student-athlete’s sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided: [R]

(a) Institutional facilities are not used;

(b) Playing lessons shall not be permitted;

(c) The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient’s family member) and not another individual or entity;

(d) Instruction to each individual is comparable to the instruction that would be provided during a private lesson when the instruction involves more than one individual at a time; and

(e) The student-athlete’s name, picture or appearance is not used to promote or advertise the availability of fee-for-lesson sessions.

12.4.2.2 National Team Practice and Competition A student-athlete may receive actual and necessary expenses and reasonable benefits associated with national team practice and competition (e.g., health insurance, broken-time payments). [R]

12.4.2.3 Athletics Equipment Sales. A student-athlete may not be employed to sell equipment related to the student-athlete’s sport if the student-athlete’s name, picture or athletics reputation is used to advertise or promote the product, the job or the employer. If the student-athlete’s name, picture or athletics reputation is not used for advertising or promotion, the student-athlete may be employed in a legitimate sales position, provided the student-athlete is reimbursed at an hourly rate or set salary in the same manner as any nonathlete salesperson. [R]

12.4.2.4 Goodwill Tour Commissions. A student-athlete representing the institution in a goodwill tour during summer months, in conjunction with the tour, may sell such items as jackets, blazers or similar institutional promotional items to booster groups or other friends of the institution on a salary, but not a commission, basis. [R]

12.4.3 Camp/Clinic Employment, General Rule. A student-athlete may be employed by the student-athlete’s institution, by another institution, or by a private organization to work in a camp or clinic as a counselor, unless otherwise restricted by NCAA legislation (see Bylaw 13.12 for regulations relating to camps and clinics).

12.4.4 Self-Employment. A student-athlete may establish a business, provided the student-athlete’s name, photograph, appearance or athletics reputation is not used to promote the business.

12.5 Promotional Activities.

12.5.1 Permissible.

12.5.1.1 Institutional, Charitable, Educational or Nonprofit Promotions. An institution or recognized entity thereof (e.g., fraternity, sorority or student government organization), a conference or a noninstitutional charitable, educational or nonprofit agency may use a student-athlete’s name, picture or appearance to support its charitable or educational activities or to support activities considered incidental to the student-athlete’s participation in intercollegiate athletics, provided the following conditions are met:

(a) The student-athlete’s participation is subject to the limitations on participants in such activities as set forth in Bylaw 17;

(b) The specific activity or project in which the student-athlete participates does not involve co-sponsorship, advertisement or promotion by a commercial agency other than through the reproduction of the sponsoring company’s officially registered regular trademark or logo on printed materials such as pictures, posters or calendars. The company’s emblem, name, address, telephone number and website address may be included with the trademark or logo. Personal names, messages and slogans (other than an officially registered trademark) are prohibited;

(c) The name or picture of a student-athlete with remaining eligibility may not appear on an institution’s printed promotional item (e.g., poster, calendar) that includes a reproduction of a product with which a commercial entity is associated if the commercial entity’s officially registered regular trademark or logo also appears on the item;

(d) The student-athlete does not miss class;

(e) All moneys derived from the activity or project go directly to the institution, conference or the charitable, educational or nonprofit agency;

(f) The student-athlete may accept actual and necessary expenses from the institution, or conference or the charitable, educational or nonprofit agency related to participation in such activity;

(g) The student-athlete’s name, picture or appearance is not used to promote the commercial ventures of any nonprofit agency;

(h) Any commercial items with names, likenesses or pictures of multiple student-athletes (other than highlight films or media guides per Bylaw 12.5.1.7) may be sold only at the institution in which student-athletes are enrolled, the institution’s conference, institutionally controlled (owned and operated) outlets or outlets controlled by the charitable, educational or nonprofit organization (e.g., location of the charitable or educational organization, site of charitable event during the event). Items that include an individual student-

athlete’s name, picture or likeness (e.g., name on jersey, name or likeness on a bobble-head doll), other than informational items (e.g., media guide, schedule cards, institutional publications), may not be sold; and

(i) The student-athlete and an authorized representative of the charitable, educational or nonprofit agency affirm that the student-athlete’s name, image or appearance is used in a manner consistent with the requirements of this section.

12.5.1.1.1 Promotions Involving NCAA Championships, Events, Activities or Programs. The NCAA [or a third party acting on behalf of the NCAA (e.g., host institution, conference, local organizing committee)] may use the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete to generally promote NCAA championships or other NCAA events, activities or programs.

12.5.1.1.2 Promotions Involving Commercial Locations/Sponsors. An institution, a conference or a charitable, educational or nonprofit organization may use the appearance, name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete to promote generally its fundraising activities at the location of a commercial establishment, provided the commercial establishment is not a co-sponsor of the event and the student-athlete does not promote the sale of a commercial product in conjunction with the fundraising activity. A commercial establishment would become a co-sponsor if the commercial establishment either advertises the presence of the student-athlete at the commercial location or is involved directly or indirectly in promoting the activity.

12.5.1.1.3 Distribution of Institutional Items through Commercial Outlets. An institution may distribute noncommercial items that include names or pictures of student-athletes (items not for sale) at commercial establishments, provided the institution generally distributes such items to other commercial establishments in the community and the distribution of the items does not require the recipient to make a purchase at the commercial establishment.

12.5.1.1.4 Player/Trading Cards. An institution or recognized entity thereof (e.g., fraternity, sorority or student government organization), a conference or a noninstitutional charitable, educational or nonprofit agency may distribute but may not sell player/trading cards that bear a student-athlete’s name or picture.

12.5.1.1.4.1 Exception — Olympic, Paralympic or National Team. A national governing body may sell player/trading cards that bear the name or picture of a student-athlete who is a member of the Olympic, Paralympic or national team in that sport, provided all of the funds generated through the sale of such cards are deposited directly with the applicable Olympic, Paralympic or national team.

12.5.1.1.5 Schedule Cards. An advertisement on an institution’s wallet-size playing schedule that includes the name or picture of a student-athlete may include language other than the commercial product’s name, trademark or logo, provided the commercial language does not appear on the same page as the picture of the student-athlete. [D]

12.5.1.1.6 Effect of Violations. The following violations of Bylaw 12.5.1.1 shall be considered institutional violations; however, the student-athlete’s eligibility shall not be affected:

(a) An institution, without the student-athlete’s knowledge or consent, uses or permits the use of the student-athlete’s name or picture in a manner contrary to Bylaw 12.5.1.1; or

(b) A violation in which the only condition of the legislation not satisfied is the requirement that the student-athlete and an authorized representative of the charitable, educational or nonprofit agency affirm that the student-athlete’s name, image or appearance is used in a manner consistent with the requirements of Bylaw 12.5.1.1, provided the affirmation would have been given if requested.

12.5.1.2 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee/National Governing Body Advertisement Before Collegiate Enrollment. Before initial, full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may receive payment for the display of athletics skill in a commercial advertisement, provided:

(a) The individual receives prior approval to appear in the advertisement from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or the applicable national governing body;

(b) The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or national governing body approves of the content and the production of the advertisement;

(c) The individual forwards the payment to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee or national governing body for the general use of the organization; and

(d) The funds are not earmarked for the individual.

12.5.1.3 Continuation of Modeling and Other Nonathletically Related Promotional Activities After Enrollment. If an individual accepts remuneration for or permits the use of the individual’s name or picture to advertise or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service before enrollment in a member institution, continued remuneration for the use of the individual’s name or picture (under the same or similar circumstances) after enrollment is permitted without jeopardizing eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics only if all of the following conditions apply:

(a) The individual’s involvement in this type of activity was initiated before enrollment in a member institution;

(b) The individual became involved in such activities for reasons independent of athletics ability;

(d) The individual does not endorse the commercial product; and

(e) The individual’s remuneration under such circumstances is at a rate commensurate with the individual’s skills and experience as a model or performer and is not based in any way upon the individual’s athletics ability or reputation.

12.5.1.4 Congratulatory Advertisement. It is permissible for a student-athlete’s name or picture, or the group picture of an institution’s athletics squad, to appear in an advertisement of a particular business, commercial product or service, provided:

(a) The primary purpose of the advertisement is to publicize the sponsor’s congratulations to the student-athlete or team;

(b) The advertisement does not include a reproduction of the product with which the business is associated or any other item or description identifying the business or service other than its name or trademark;

(c) There is no indication in the makeup or wording of the advertisement that the squad members, individually or collectively, or the institution endorses the product or service of the advertiser;

(d) The student-athlete has not signed a consent or release granting permission to use the student-athlete’s name or picture in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of this section; and

(e) If the student-athlete has received a prize from a commercial sponsor in conjunction with participation in a promotional contest and the advertisement involves the announcement of receipt of the prize, the receipt of the prize is consistent with the provisions of Bylaw 12.5.2.3.3 and official interpretations.

12.5.1.5 Educational Products Related to Sport-Skill Instruction. It is permissible for a student-athlete’s name or picture to appear in books, articles and other publications, films, videotapes, and other types of electronic reproduction related to sport-skill demonstration, analysis or instruction, provided:

(a) Such print and electronic media productions are for educational purposes;

(b) There is no indication that the student-athlete expressly or implicitly endorses a commercial product or service;

(c) The student-athlete does not receive, under any circumstances, any remuneration for such participation; however, the student-athlete may receive actual and necessary expenses related to participation; and

(d) The student-athlete has signed a release statement ensuring that the student-athlete’s name or image is used in a manner consistent with the requirements of this section.

12.5.1.6 Camps. An institutional or privately owned camp may use a student-athlete’s name, picture and institutional affiliation only in the camp counselor section in its camp brochure to identify the student-athlete as a staff member. A student-athlete’s name or picture may not be used in any other way to directly advertise or promote the camp. [D]

12.5.1.7 Promotion by Third Party of Highlight Video or Media Guide. Any party other than the institution or a student-athlete (e.g., a distribution company) may sell and distribute an institutional highlight video or an institutional or conference media guide that contains the names and pictures of enrolled student-athletes only if:

(a) The institution specifically designates any agency that is authorized to receive orders for the video or media guide;

(b) Sales and distribution activities have the written approval of the institution’s athletics director;

(c) The distribution company or a retail store is precluded from using the name or picture of an enrolled student-athlete in any poster or other advertisement to promote the sale or distribution of the video or media guide; and

(d) There is no indication in the makeup or wording of the advertisement that the squad members, individually or collectively, or the institution endorses the product or services of the advertiser.

12.5.1.8 Promotion of NCAA and Conference Championships. The NCAA [or a third party acting on behalf of the NCAA (e.g., host institution, conference, local organizing committee)] may use the name or picture of a student-athlete to generally promote NCAA championships. A student-athlete’s name or picture may appear in

a poster that promotes a conference championship, provided the poster is produced by a member that hosts a portion of the championship or by the conference.

12.5.1.9 Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, Parapan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games (Universiade) and World University Championships. A student-athlete’s name or picture may be used to promote Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, Parapan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games (Universiade) or World University Championships as specified in this section.

12.5.1.9.1 Sale and Distribution of Promotional Items. Promotional items (e.g., posters, postcards, film, videotapes) bearing the name or picture of a student-athlete and related to these events may be sold or distributed by the national or international sports governing body sponsoring these events or its designated third-party distributors. It is not permissible for such organizations to sell player/trading cards that bear a student-athlete’s name or picture, except as noted in Bylaw 12.5.1.1.4.1. Promotional items may include a corporate sponsor’s trademark or logo but not a reproduction of the product with which the business is associated. The name or picture of the student-athlete may not be used by the distribution company or retail store on any advertisement to promote the sale or distribution of the commercial item.

12.5.1.9.1.1 Corporate Sponsors. A corporate sponsor may sell a promotional item related to these events that uses the name or picture of a team but not an individual student-athlete.

12.5.2 Nonpermissible.

12.5.2.1 Advertisements and Promotions After Becoming a Student-Athlete. After becoming a student-athlete, a student-athlete shall not be eligible for participation in intercollegiate athletics if the student-athlete:

(a) Accepts any remuneration for or permits the use of the student-athlete’s name or picture to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind; or

(b) Receives remuneration for endorsing a commercial product or service through the student-athlete’s use of such product or service.

12.5.2.1.1 Exceptions. The individual’s eligibility will not be affected, provided the individual participated in such activities before enrollment and the individual:

(a) Meets the conditions set forth in Bylaw 12.5.1.3 that would permit continuation of such activities; or

(b) Takes appropriate steps upon becoming a student-athlete to retract permission for the use of the individual’s name or picture and ceases receipt of any remuneration for such an arrangement.

12.5.2.1.2 Improper Use of Student-Athlete’s Name or Picture. If an institution, without the student-athlete’s knowledge or consent, uses or permits the use of the student-athlete’s name or picture in a manner contrary to Bylaw 12.5.2.1, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation; however, the student-athlete’s eligibility shall not be affected.

12.5.2.2 Use of a Student-Athlete’s Name or Picture Without Knowledge or Permission. If a student-athlete’s name or picture appears on commercial items (e.g., T-shirts, sweatshirts, serving trays, playing cards, posters) or is used to promote a commercial product sold by an individual or agency without the student-athlete’s

knowledge or permission, the student-athlete (or the institution acting on behalf of the student-athlete) is required to take steps to stop such an activity in order to retain eligibility for intercollegiate athletics. Such steps are not required in cases in which a student-athlete’s photograph is sold by an individual or agency (e.g., private photographer, news agency) for private use.

12.5.2.3 Specifically Restricted Activities. A student-athlete’s involvement in promotional activities specified in this section is prohibited.

12.5.2.3.1 Name-the-Player Contest. A student-athlete may not permit use of the student-athlete’s name or picture in a “name-the-player” contest conducted by a commercial business for the purpose of promoting that business.

12.5.2.3.2 Athletics Equipment Advertisement. A student-athlete’s name or picture may not be used by an athletics equipment company or manufacturer to publicize the fact that the institution’s team uses its equipment.

12.5.2.3.3 Promotional Contests. Receipt of a prize for winning an institutional or noninstitutional promotional activity (e.g., making a half-court basketball shot, being involved in a money scramble) by a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete (or a family member) does not affect athletics eligibility, provided the prize is won through a random drawing in which all members of the general public or the student body are eligible to participate.

12.5.2.4 Other Promotional Activities. A student-athlete may not participate in any promotional activity that is not permitted under Bylaw 12.5.1.

12.5.3 Media Activities. A student-athlete may participate in media activities, including but not limited to, radio, television and internet-based programs (e.g., coaches’ shows), and writing projects when the student-athlete’s appearance or participation is related in any way to status as a student-athlete. The student-athlete shall not receive any remuneration for participation in the activity. The student-athlete shall not make any endorsement, expressed or implied, of any commercial product or service. The student-athlete may, however, receive actual and necessary expenses directly related to the appearance or participation in the activity. A student-athlete participating in such media activities may not miss class, except for class time missed in conjunction with away-from-home competition or to participate in an NCAA or conference-sponsored media activity.

12.5.4 Use of Commercial Trademarks or Logos on Equipment, Uniforms and Apparel. A student-athlete may use athletics equipment or wear athletics apparel that bears the trademark or logo of an athletics equipment or apparel manufacturer or distributor in athletics competition and pre- and postgame activities (e.g., celebrations on the court, pre- or postgame press conferences), provided the following criteria are met. [D]

(a) Athletics equipment (e.g., shoes, helmets, baseball bats and gloves, batting or golf gloves, hockey and lacrosse sticks, goggles and skis) shall bear only the manufacturer’s normal label or trademark, as it is used on all such items for sale to the general public; and

(b) The student-athlete’s institution’s official uniform (including numbered racing bibs and warm-ups) and all other items of apparel (e.g., socks, head bands, T-shirts, wrist bands, visors or hats, swim caps and towels) shall bear only a single manufacturer’s or distributor’s normal label or trademark (regardless of the visibility of the label or trademark), not to exceed 2-1/4 square inches in area (rectangle, square, parallelogram) including any additional material (e.g., patch) surrounding the normal trademark or logo. The student-athlete’s institution’s official uniform

and all other items of apparel shall not bear a design element similar to the manufacturer’s trademark/logo that is in addition to another trademark/logo that is contrary to the size restriction.

12.5.4.1 Laundry Label. If an institution’s uniform or any item of apparel worn by a student-athlete in competition contains washing instructions on the outside of the apparel on a patch that also includes the manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo or trademark, the entire patch must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2-1/4 square inches. [D]

12.5.4.2 Pre- or Postgame Activities. The restriction on the size of a manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo is applicable to all apparel worn by student-athletes during the conduct of the institution’s competition, which includes any pre- or postgame activities (e.g., postgame celebrations on the court, pre- or postgame press conferences) involving student-athletes. [D]

12.5.4.3 Outside Team Uniforms and Apparel. The provisions of Bylaw 12.5.4-(b) do not apply to the official uniforms and apparel worn by outside teams.

12.5.4.4 Title-Sponsor Recognition. Racing bibs and similar competition identification materials (e.g., bowl-game patches) worn by participants may include the name of the corporate sponsor of the competition, provided the involved commercial company is the sole title sponsor of the competition. [D]

12.6 Financial Donations From Outside Organizations.

12.6.1 Professional Sports Organizations.

12.6.1.1 To Intercollegiate Event. A professional sports organization may serve as a financial sponsor of an intercollegiate competition event, provided the organization is not publicly identified as such. A professional sports organization may serve as a financial sponsor of an activity or promotion that is ancillary to the competition event and may be publicly identified as such. [D]

12.6.1.2 Developmental Funds to NCAA. A professional sports organization may provide funds for intercollegiate athletics developmental purposes in a particular sport (e.g., officiating expenses, research and educational projects, the conduct of summer leagues, purchase of equipment). However, such funds shall be provided in an unrestricted manner and administered through the Association’s national office.

12.6.1.3 To Institution, Permissible. A member institution may receive funds from a professional sports organization, provided:

(a) The money is placed in the institution’s general fund and used for purposes other than athletics;

(b) The money is placed in the institution’s general scholarship fund and commingled with funds for the assistance of all students generally;

(c) The money is received by the institution as a result of the professional sports organization’s financial sponsorship of a specific intercollegiate competition event and is placed in the institution’s budget for the specific event, including ancillary activities and promotions; or

(d) The money is received by the institution as a result of a reciprocal contractual marketing relationship and is placed in the athletics department’s budget for the specific purpose of marketing and promoting any institutionally sponsored sport other than football and men’s basketball.

12.6.1.4 To Conference, Permissible. A member conference may receive funds from a professional sports organization, provided the money is received by the conference as a result of the professional sports organization’s financial sponsorship of a specific intercollegiate competition event and is placed in the conference’s budget for the specific event, including ancillary activities and promotions.

12.6.1.5 To Institution, Nonpermissible. A member institution shall not accept funds from a professional sports organization if:

(a) The funds are for the purpose of recognizing the development of a former student-athlete in a particular sport. The receipt of such funds by an institution would make additional money available that could benefit student-athletes and thus result in student-athletes indirectly receiving funds from a professional sports organization;

(b) The money, even though not earmarked by the donor, is received and credited to institutional funds for the financial assistance of student-athletes generally; or

(c) The money is placed in the institution’s general fund and credited to the athletics department for an unspecified purpose.

12.6.1.6 Revenues Derived from Pro-Am Events. The distribution of revenues from an event involving an intercollegiate athletics team and a professional sports team (e.g., a baseball game in which a member institution’s team plays against a professional baseball team) or pro-am event (e.g., golf, tennis) that results in a member institution’s receiving a share of receipts from such a contest is permitted, provided the institution has a formal agreement with the professional sports team regarding the institution’s guarantee or share of receipts and the contractual terms are consistent with agreements made by the professional team or individuals for similar intercollegiate or nonprofessional competition.

12.6.1.7 Promotion of Professional Athletics Contests. A member institution may host and promote an athletics contest between two professional teams from recognized professional sports leagues as a fundraising activity for the institution.

12.6.1.8 Reciprocal Marketing Agreements — Sports Other Than Football and Men’s Basketball. In sports other than football and men’s basketball, an institution’s marketing department may enter into a reciprocal contractual relationship with a professional sports organization for the specific purpose of marketing and promoting an institutionally sponsored sport.

12.6.2 Organizations (Nonprofessional Sports Organizations).

12.6.2.1 Individual Athletics Performance. A member institution shall not accept funds donated from a nonprofessional sports organization based on the place finish of a student-athlete or the number of student-athletes representing the institution in an event. However, the organization may donate an equal amount of funds to every institution with an athlete or team participating in a particular event.

12.6.2.2 Individual and Team Rankings. A member institution may accept funds donated to its athletics program from a nonprofessional sports organization based on an individual’s or a team’s national or regional ranking.

12.6.2.3 Academic Performance. A member institution may accept funds donated to its athletics program from a nonprofessional sports organization based on an individual’s or a team’s academic performance (e.g., the number of Academic All-American award recipients).

12.75 Athletics Eligibility Requirements.

[12.7.1 renumbered as 12.5.1, unchanged.]

12.75.2 Student-Athlete Statement.

12.75.2.1 Content and Purpose. Before participation in intercollegiate competition each academic year, a student-athlete shall sign a statement in a form prescribed by the Legislative Committee in which the student-athlete submits information related to eligibility, recruitment, financial aid, amateur status, previous positive-drug tests administered by any other athletics organization and involvement in organized gambling activities related to intercollegiate or professional athletics competition under the Association’s governing legislation. Failure to complete and sign the statement shall result in the student-athlete’s ineligibility for participation in all intercollegiate competition. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a student-athlete’s eligibility if the violation occurred due to an institutional administrative error or oversight, and the student-athlete subsequently signs the form; however, the violation shall be considered an institutional violation per Bylaw 8.01.3.

[12.7.2.2 through 12.7.2.3 renumbered as 12.5.2.2 through 12.5.2.3, unchanged.]
[12.7.3 through 12.7.4 renumbered as 12.5.3 through 12.5.4, unchanged.]

12.75.5 Eligibility Requirements for Male Students to Practice With Women’s Teams. A male student may engage in practice sessions with women’s teams subject to the following conditions:

(a) A male student who practices with an institution’s women’s team must be verified as eligible for practice in accordance with Bylaw 14.2.1 and must have eligibility remaining under the five-year rule (see Bylaw 12.8.1);

(b) It is not permissible for an institution to provide a male student financial assistance in return for practicing with a women’s team. A male student who is receiving financial aid or any compensation for serving in any position in the athletics department may not practice with a women’s team. A male student-athlete who is a counter in a men’s sport may not engage in practice sessions with an institution’s women’s team in any sport;

(c) It is not permissible for an institution to provide a male student housing and food to remain on campus during a vacation period to participate in practice sessions with a women’s team;

(db) It is not permissible for a recruited male student-athlete who is serving an academic year of residence as a nonqualifier to participate in practice sessions with a women’s team. A nonrecruited male student who is serving an academic year of residence as a nonqualifier may participate in practice sessions with a women’s team; and

(e) It is permissible for an institution to provide practice apparel to a male student for the purpose of practicing with a women’s team; and

(fc) A male student who practices with an institution’s women’s basketball team may participate in required summer athletic activities, provided the student was enrolled full time at the conclusion of the regular academic term (e.g., spring semester or quarter) immediately preceding the institution’s summer term.

12.7.5.1 Travel Expenses In Conjunction With Away-From-Home Competition — Women’s Basketball. A male student who regularly engages in practice sessions with an institution’s women’s basketball team may receive travel expenses to participate in practice sessions in conjunction with the institution’s away-from-home competition.

12.86 Seasons of Competition: Five-Year Rule. A student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport (see Bylaws 12.02.6 and 14.3.3). An institution shall not permit a student-athlete to represent it in intercollegiate competition unless the student-athlete completes all seasons of participation in all sports within the time periods specified below:

[12.8.1 renumbered as 12.6.1, unchanged.]

12.86.2 Additional Applications of the Five-Year Rule.

[12.8.2.1 through 12.8.2.4 renumbered as 12.6.2.1 through 12.6.2.4, unchanged.]

12.86.2.5 Eligibility for Practice. To be eligible to participate in organized practice sessions, a student-athlete shall have eligibility remaining under the five-year rule. (See Bylaws 14.2.1.7 and 14.2.1.8.) A student-athlete receiving institutional financial aid after having engaged in four seasons of intercollegiate competition in a sport may continue to take part in organized, institutional practice sessions in that sport without being a counter (see Bylaw 15.02.3). [D]

12.86.3 Criteria for Determining Season of Competition.

[12.8.3.1 renumbered as 12.6.3.1, unchanged.]

12.86.3.2 Delayed Enrollment — Seasons of Competition.

[12.8.3.2.1 through 12.8.3.2.2 renumbered as 12.6.3.2.1 through 12.6.3.2.2, unchanged.]

12.86.3.2.3 Low-level and Minimally Organized Participation. A student-athlete may be granted relief from delayed enrollment conditions during the amateurism athletics eligibility certification process for participation that meets the definition of organized competition (see Bylaw 12.02.96) but is determined to be low-level or minimally organized participation.

12.8.3.3 Track and Field and Cross Country. Cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field shall be considered separate sports.

12.8.3.4 Intercollegiate Competition. A student-athlete is considered to have engaged in a season of intercollegiate competition when the student-athlete competes in an athletics event involving any one of the conditions characterizing intercollegiate competition (per Bylaw 12.02.6).

[12.8.3.5 through 12.8.3.7 renumbered as 12.6.3.3 through 12.6.3.5, unchanged.]
[12.8.4 through 12.8.5 renumbered as 12.6.4 through 12.6.5, unchanged.]
[12.9 through 12.12 renumbered as 12.7 through 12.10, unchanged.]

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Effective Date:July 1, 2025

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Athletics Eligibility

Rationale: This proposal would implement the necessary changes to Bylaw 12 to effectuate the application of the settlement of the House, Hubbard and Carter cases. It would also implement several editorial changes and reformatting to modernize the remaining legislation.

2025-9 FINANCIAL AID – IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSE V. NCAA SETTLEMENT

Status:Draft

Intent: To implement the provisions of the House v. NCAA settlement related to Bylaw 15, as specified. Note: This proposal also includes editorial revisions and reformatting.

Bylaws: Amend 15, as follows:

15 Financial Aid

15.01 General Principles.

15.01.1 Institutional Financial Aid Permitted. A student-athlete may receive scholarships or educational 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.) A student-athlete who receives financial aid other than that administered by the student-athlete’s institution shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics competition, unless it is:

(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; and

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. An institution may not provide a student-athlete with financial aid to attend a summer session at a branch campus of the institution.

[15.01.1.1.1 unchanged.]
[15.01.2 unchanged.]

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 competition, unless it is specifically approved under the Association’s rules of amateurism (see Bylaw 12) or the aid is:

(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

15.01.43 Contributions by Donor. An individual may contribute funds to finance an institutional 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 through 15.01.6 renumbered as 15.01.4 through 15.01.5, unchanged.]

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 Academics shall have the authority to determine the circumstances that would require an institution or team that fails to satisfy the academic performance program to

apply additional financial aid limitations. The Committee on Academics shall establish and annually publish to the membership such circumstances (see Bylaw 14.8).

15.02 Definitions and Applications.

[15.02.1 unchanged.]

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, living expenses, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution.

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, living expenses, books, supplies, transportation, child care, cost related to a disability and miscellaneous personal 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.

15.02.2.2 Exclusions from Cost of Attendance. Government grants listed in Bylaw 15.2.5.1 shall not be included when determining the cost of attendance for a student-athlete.

15.02.3 Counter. A “counter” includes any individual who is receiving institutional financial aid that is countable against the aid limitations in a sport. Unless an exception is satisfied, once a student-athlete becomes a counter, the student-athlete remains a counter for the entire academic year. Further, an undergraduate four-year transfer awarded or issued athletically related financial aid in the academic year of initial, full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be a counter for the period of the award (see Bylaw 15.3.3.3) unless a provision of Bylaw 15.5.1.2.1 is met.

15.02.3.1 Replacement of Counter. An institution may apply a legislated exception to replace a counter who is no longer participating with the program and the replaced student-athlete shall not be a counter for the remainder of the academic year.

[15.02.4 renumbered as 15.02.3, unchanged.]

15.02.54 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.)

[15.02.5.1 through 15.02.5.2 renumbered as 15.02.4.1 through 15.02.4.2, unchanged.]

15.02.5.3 Other Permissible Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are also permitted:

(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;

(d) Educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which count against an institution’s sport-by-sport financial aid limitations and against the individual’s maximum limit on financial aid.

15.02.5.4 Exempted Institutional Financial Aid. The following institutional financial aid is exempt and is not counted in determining the institution’s financial aid limitations:

(a) An institutional need-based grant awarded 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 institutional guidelines. However, such aid is not exempted for purposes of determining a football or basketball student-athlete’s counter status pursuant to Bylaw 15.5.1.1;

(b) A nondiscretionary institutional merit-based award with no relationship to athletics ability awarded based on documented criteria that apply to all students. 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;

(c) An honorary award for outstanding academic achievement or an established institutional research grant that meets the criteria set forth in Bylaw 15.02.7 (and must be included in determining if the student-athlete’s cost of attendance has been met);

(d) A postgraduate scholarship awarded by an institution in accordance with Bylaw 16.1.4.1.1;

(e) 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 selecting the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient;

(f) 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 relationship 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;

(g) 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 15.5.3.2.4.1, 15.5.3.2.4.2 or 15.5.3.2.4.3 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 pursuant to Bylaw 15.5.1.1; and

(h) Contributions made by the institution and 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)].

15.02.5.5 Exempted Government Grants. Government grants listed in Bylaw 15.2.5.1 shall not be included when determining the cost of attendance for a student-athlete.

15.02.5.6 Operation Gold Grant. Funds administered by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pursuant to its Operation Gold Grant program shall not be included when determining the cost of attendance for a student-athlete.

[15.02.6 renumbered as 15.02.5, unchanged.]

15.02.7 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:

(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.

15.02.86 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 practice, whichever is earlier, and continues until the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement. The period of award may include the certifying institution’s summer term or summer school. The period of award of a multiyear grant-in-aid awarded to an individual other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who receives or is issued athletically related financial aid in the academic year of initial, full-time enrollment at the certifying institution may include one or more academic years of no athletically related financial aid after the first academic year in which athletically related aid is provided, including the final year of the award (e.g., 50 percent in year one, zero percent in year two, 50 percent in year three; 50 percent in year one, zero percent in year two, zero percent in year three). An athletics grant-in-aid shall not be awarded in excess of the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility.

15.02.9 Recruited Student-Athlete. For purposes of Bylaw 15, a recruited student-athlete is a student-athlete who, as a prospective student-athlete:

(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 (including a coach’s arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete’s family members); or

[15.02.10 renumbered as 15.02.7, unchanged.]

15.1 Maximum Limit on Financial Aid — Individual. A student-athlete shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student-athlete receives financial aid that exceeds the value of the cost of attendance as defined in Bylaw 15.02.2, including in the summer term. A student-athlete may receive institutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaw 15.02.5.2) and educational expenses awarded per Bylaw 15.2.6.5 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.)

[15.1.1 through 15.1.3 unchanged.]

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 enrolled 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 institutional fees and do not include noninstitutional fees or expenses (e.g., the cost of typing reports for student-athletes).

[15.2.2 through 15.2.3 unchanged.]

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.)

[15.2.5 unchanged.]

15.2.6 Financial Aid From Outside Sources.

15.2.6.1 Family Members. 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.

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 Athletically Related Financial Aid From an Established and Continuing Program — Up to $1,000. A student-athlete may receive up to a total of $1,000 of athletically related outside financial aid per academic year, without restrictions, through one or more established and continuing programs to aid students.

15.2.6.4 Athletically Related Financial Aid From an Established and Continuing Program — Aid Exceeding $1,000. Each academic year, after a student-athlete has received $1,000 of athletically related outside financial aid, the student-athlete may receive additional athletically related outside financial aid through an established and continuing program to aid students without the additional aid counting in the institution’s financial aid limitations, provided:

(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.

If any of the conditions are not satisfied and the student-athlete receives the additional athletically related outside financial aid, 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.

15.2.6.5 Educational Expenses — Olympic Committee or National Governing Body Established and Continuing Financial Aid Programs. A student-athlete may receive financial aid from established and continuing scholarship programs, including educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic 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 aid shall be subject to the following limitations:

(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 and Paralympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country); and

(c) The value of the award alone or in combination with other aid per Bylaw 15.1.2 shall not exceed the value of the individual’s maximum limit on financial 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:

(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 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).

15.2.87 Summer Financial Aid. Summer financial aid may be awarded only to attend the awarding institution’s summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program, provided the following conditions are met:

(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.

15.2.87.1 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 15.02.5.1 and 15.02.5.2) and educational expenses awarded (per Bylaw 15.2.6.5) 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.)

[15.2.8.1.1 through 15.2.8.1.4 renumbered as 15.2.7.1.1 through 15.2.7.1.4, unchanged.]

15.2.8.2 Branch School. An institution may not provide a student-athlete with financial aid to attend a summer session at a branch campus of the institution.

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.

[15.3.1.1 through 15.3.1.3 unchanged.]

15.3.1.4 Institutional Financial Aid to Professional Athlete. It is permissible to award institutional financial 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.

15.3.2 Terms of Institutional Financial Aid Award.

[15.3.2.1 through 15.3.2.3 unchanged.]

15.3.2.4 Release of Obligation to Provide Athletically Related Financial Aid. Before becoming a counter for an academic year pursuant to a one-year or multiyear grant-in-aid, if If a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid unrelated to athletics that would count toward the team limit if the individual were a counter and that is equal to or greater than the amount of the individual’s signed award of athletically related financial aid for the specific academic year, the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete may, on the individual’s initiative, release the institution of its obligation to provide the athletically related financial aid for that academic year.

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. (See Bylaw 15.02.8.)

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:

[15.3.3.1.1- a) through 15.3.3.1.1-(e), unchanged.]

(f) Eligibility Exhausted/Medical Noncounter. A student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility and is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.6) in the institution’s financial aid limit, or a student-athlete who is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.3) 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 conditions, 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, the student-athlete must be provided a hearing opportunity per Bylaw 15.3.2.3.

[15.3.3.1.2 unchanged.]
[15.3.3.2 unchanged.]

15.3.3.3 Undergraduate Four-Year College Transfers. If an undergraduate four-year college transfer student’s athletics ability is considered in any degree in awarding financial aid and such aid is received or issued in the academic year of initial, full-time enrollment at the certifying institution, such aid shall be awarded for a period no less than the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility or until all requirements to receive a baccalaureate degree are completed, whichever occurs earlier.

15.3.4 Reduction, Cancellation or Nonrenewal of Institutional Financial Aid.

15.3.4.1 Reduction, Cancellation or Nonrenewal Permitted. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability awarded to an individual other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who receives or is issued athletically related financial aid in the academic year of initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award or reduced or not renewed for the following academic year or years of the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility if the recipient:

[15.3.4.1- a) through 15.3.4.1-(e) unchanged.]

(f) Provides written notification of transfer (see Bylaw 13.1.1.4) to the institution or is provided a release of the contact prohibition associated with signing an athletics aid agreement (see Bylaw 13.1.1.2); however, the student-athlete’s financial aid may not be reduced or canceled until the end of the regular academic term in which written notification of transfer is received. If a student-athlete provides written notification of transfer to the institution between regular academic terms (winter break, summer break) the institution may reduce or cancel the financial aid immediately.

[15.3.4.1.1 unchanged.]

15.3.4.1.2 Undergraduate Four-Year College Transfers. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability awarded to an undergraduate four-year college transfer student in the academic year of initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution may only be reduced or canceled during the period of the award if the recipient:

(a) Transfers to another institution (see Bylaw 14.5.2);

(b) Loses amateur status and is no longer eligible for intercollegiate competition in the applicable sport (see Bylaw 12.1.2);

(c) Does not meet any conditions affecting transfer status at the certifying institution (for nonathletically related reasons) by the first regular term of the student-athlete’s aid agreement; or

(d) Is disqualified or suspended from receiving institutional financial aid by an institutional (as opposed to athletics department) proceeding (e.g., disciplinary process). However, the student shall remain a counter for the period of the award.

(See Bylaw 15.5.1.2.1 for exceptions to counter legislation for undergraduate four-year college transfers.)

[15.3.4.1.3 unchanged.]
[15.3.4.2 and 15.3.4.3 unchanged.]
[15.3.5 through 15.3.6 unchanged.]

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:

(a) Athletics Aid. A student-athlete who receives financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability shall become 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 receives educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic 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 15.2.6.5 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 15.02.9) by the awarding institution and who receives institutional financial aid (as set forth in Bylaw 15.02.5.2) 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, subvarsity, intramural or club competition) in those sports.

15.5.1.1.1 Exception — Receipt of Institutional Academic Aid Only. In football or basketball, a student-athlete who was recruited (see Bylaw 15.02.9) 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 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 the student-athlete 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.

15.5.1.2 Undergraduate Four-Year College Transfers. An undergraduate four-year college transfer student who receives or is issued athletically related financial aid in the academic year of initial, full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be a counter for the period of the award (see Bylaw 15.3.3.3).

15.5.1.2.1 Exceptions. An undergraduate four-year transfer student shall not be considered a counter for the subsequent academic year if:

(a) The individual becomes medically disqualified pursuant to Bylaw 15.5.1.3;

(b) The individual transfers to another institution pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2;

(c) The individual loses amateur status and is no longer eligible for intercollegiate competition in the applicable sport pursuant to Bylaw 12.1.2; or

(d) The individual’s athletics aid is canceled pursuant to Bylaw 15.3.5.1.2-(c); or

(e) The individual voluntarily withdraws from the institution for nonathletically related reasons.

15.5.1.2.1.1 Return to Institution. If an undergraduate four-year transfer student-athlete who voluntarily withdraws for nonathletically related reasons reenrolls within the period of the original award (see Bylaw 15.3.3.3), the institution shall provide athletically related aid for the remainder of the period of the award. Such aid shall not count toward team limits unless the student-athlete practices or competes. If the student-athlete practices or competes, the institution shall be required to count the financial aid under the limitations of this bylaw in the sport in question during each academic year in which the financial aid was received since reenrollment.

15.5.1.3 Counter Who Becomes Injured or Ill. A counter who becomes injured or ill to the point that the individual 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.

15.5.1.3.1 Incapacitating Injury or Illness. If an incapacitating injury or illness occurs prior to a prospective 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. However, 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.

15.5.1.3.2 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.

15.5.1.4 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 the student-athlete 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, the student-athlete will be considered to have been a counter during each year the financial aid was received.

15.5.1.5 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 remainder of the academic year. However, if the individual (other than an undergraduate four-year college transfer) 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 obligation to provide financial aid, the individual no longer would be considered a counter (see Bylaws 15.5.2.2 and 15.5.6.3.2).

15.5.1.6 Eligibility Exhausted. A student-athlete receiving institutional financial aid after having exhausted eligibility in a sport is not a counter in that sport in later academic years following completion of eligibility in the sport. The student-athlete must be 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.) For this provision to be applicable to an undergraduate four-year college transfer, the individual shall not have eligibility remaining in the individual’s five-year period of eligibility.

15.5.1.6.1 Cross Country/Track and Field. A student-athlete who is awarded athletically related financial 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 in which the student-athlete has eligibility remaining during the academic year in which the aid was awarded.

15.5.1.7 Student-Athlete Whose Five-Year Period of Eligibility Expires Midyear. In sports in which performance from the nonchampionship and championship segments is considered for NCAA championship qualification or selection, a student-athlete who receives athletically related financial aid is not a counter, provided:

(a) The student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility will expire before the NCAA championship in the applicable sport (e.g., end of fall semester); and

(b) The student-athlete does not compete in the involved sport during that academic year.

For this provision to be applicable to an undergraduate four-year college transfer, the individual must have completed all requirements to receive a baccalaureate degree.

15.5.1.8 Aid After Departure of Head Coach. A student-athlete who receives athletically related institutional financial aid in academic years after the departure of a head coach from the institution is not a counter in a year in which the student-athlete does not participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided:

(a) The student-athlete participated in the applicable sport and received athletically related institutional financial aid during the coach’s tenure at the institution; and

(b) The student-athlete does not participate in the applicable sport beyond the next regular academic year (including completion of the championship season in spring sports) after the departure of the head coach.

15.5.1.8.1 Subsequent Participation. If the student-athlete subsequently participates in the applicable sport at the institution, the student-athlete shall become a counter for all years during which athletically related institutional aid was received.

15.5.1.9 Aid After Student-Athlete Becomes Permanently Ineligible. A student-athlete receiving institutional 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, 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).

15.5.1.10 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.

15.5.1.10.1 Exception — Football. In football, an individual who receives athletically related financial aid during a summer term prior to initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be an overall counter for the ensuing academic year. (See Bylaws 15.02.3 and 15.5.6.)

15.5.1.11 Offers Exceeding Maximum Allowable Awards. An institution may offer more than the maximum 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.

15.5.2 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:

Women’s Gymnastics 12 Women’s Tennis 8

Women’s Volleyball 12

15.5.2.2 Preseason Voluntary Withdrawal. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons or who has not withdrawn from the institution) who voluntarily withdraws from the team in a head-count sport other than football or basketball 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, for students other than an undergraduate four-year transfer, 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 Voluntary Withdrawal From the Institution During the Academic Year. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons) who voluntarily withdraws from the institution during the academic year by providing the financial aid to another student-athlete, including an incoming student-athlete, beginning with the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester,

winter or spring quarter) without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year.

15.5.2.4 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 and the replaced student-athlete shall not be a counter for the remainder of that academic year.

15.5.2.5 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 remaining and who does not return to the institution for the following academic term may be provided to another student-athlete. The replaced student-athlete shall not be a counter for the remainder of the academic year.

15.5.2.6 Academic Study Abroad Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.2.7 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.4 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.2.8 Replacement of an Ineligible Student-Athlete. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year college transfer) whose aid is canceled because the student-athlete was rendered ineligible for intercollegiate competition during a particular academic term (e.g., fall semester, winter quarter) by providing the financial aid to another student in the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, spring quarter).

15.5.3 Equivalency Sports.

15.5.3.1 Maximum Equivalency Limits.

Cross Country/Track and 12.6 Swimming and Diving 9.9 Field

Fencing 4.5 Tennis 4.5

Golf 4.5 Volleyball 4.5

Gymnastics 6.3 Water Polo 4.5

Lacrosse 12.6 Wrestling 9.9

Rifle 3.6

Skiing 6.3

Soccer 9.9

15.5.3.1.1 Men’s Sports. There shall be a limit on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.5.2) that an institution may provide in an academic year to counters in the following men’s sports:

15.5.3.1.1.1 Minimum Equivalency Value — Men’s Wrestling. In men’s wrestling, an institution shall provide each counter athletically related and other countable financial aid that is equal to or greater than 20 percent of an equivalency.

15.5.3.1.1.1.1 Exception — Need-Based Athletics Aid Only. In men’s wrestling, an institution that awards athletically 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 institutional 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 20 percent minimum equivalency value per counter.

15.5.3.1.1.1.2 Exception — Final Two Years of Eligibility and Not Previously Aided. An institution may provide less than 20 percent of an equivalency to a student-athlete, provided the student-athlete is in the final two years of eligibility and has not previously received athletically related financial aid in men’s wrestling at any collegiate institution.

15.5.3.1.2 Women’s Sports. There shall be a limit on the value (equivalency) of financial aid awards (per Bylaw 15.02.5.2) that an institution may provide in any academic year to counters in the following women’s sports:

Acrobatics and Tumbling 14 Rugby 12

Bowling 5 Skiing 7

Cross Country/Track and Field 18 Soccer 14

Equestrian 15 Softball 12

Fencing 5 Stunt 14

Field Hockey 12 Swimming and Diving 14

Golf 6 Triathlon 6.5

Lacrosse 12 Water Polo 8

Rowing 20 Wrestling 10

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 15.02.5.2) 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 15.02.5.2) 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.

15.5.3.1.4 Midyear Replacement — Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field and Men’s Water Polo. In cross country, field hockey, soccer, track and field and men’s water polo, financial aid equal to the countable financial aid provided to a counter who graduates at midyear or who graduates during the previous academic year (including summer) and has exhausted eligibility but remains enrolled at the institution may be provided to another student-athlete, who shall be a counter for the remainder of that academic year. Other financial aid provided to the student-athlete that would otherwise be countable is excluded from the team’s maximum equivalency limits for the remainder of the academic year.

15.5.3.1.5 Voluntary Withdrawal From the Institution During the Academic Year — Undergraduate Four-Year Transfer. Financial aid equal to the countable financial aid provided to an undergraduate four-year transfer who voluntarily withdraws from the institution for nonathletically related reasons during the academic year may be provided to another student-athlete, including an incoming student-athlete, beginning with the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, winter or spring quarter) without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year.

15.5.3.2 Equivalency Computations. In equivalency sports, each institutional financial aid award (per Bylaw 15.02.5.2) to a counter shall be computed as follows:

(a) Once a student becomes a counter, the institution shall count all institutional aid (per Bylaw 15.02.5.2) received up to the value of a full grant-in-aid. Exempted government grants per Bylaw 15.2.5 and exempted institutional aid per Bylaw 15.02.5.4 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.

(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 Application to Autonomy Conferences. A member institution of one of the conferences named in Bylaw 9.2.2.1.1 shall use a full grant-in-aid in its equivalency computations as defined in Bylaw 15.02.6. The elements of a grant-in-aid are tuition and fees, living expenses, books, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution.

15.5.3.2.2 Application to Other Conferences. A member institution of a conference other than those named in Bylaw 9.2.2.1.1 may use a full grant-in-aid in its equivalency computations as defined in Bylaw 15.02.6 or one that consists of tuition and fees, living expenses, and required course-related books, subject to the discretion of its conference pursuant to Bylaw 9.2.2.1.2.2. If the institution uses a full grant-in-aid that consists of tuition and fees, living expenses, and required course-related books, financial aid unrelated to athletics ability received by a student-athlete in excess of a full grant-in-aid shall not be included in the equivalency computation.

15.5.3.2.3 Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements shall apply to equivalency computations:

(a) An institution may use either the actual cost or average cost of any or all the elements (other than books) of the equivalency calculation, provided the same method is used in both the numerator and denominator for each element. Either method (or different combinations 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 denominator 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 proportionate to the number of terms of enrollment ($400 for semester systems, $534 or $267 for quarter systems).

15.5.3.2.4 Exceptions.

15.5.3.2.4.1 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 the institution, are exempt from an institution’s equivalency computations, 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) for SAT tests taken before March 1, 2016; or a minimum SAT score of 1270 (critical reading and math) for tests taken on or after March 1, 2016, based on the concordance determined by the College Board.

15.5.3.2.4.1.1 Additional Requirements. The following additional requirements shall be met:

(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;

(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.

15.5.3.2.4.1.2 Renewals. The renewal of an academic honor award (per Bylaw 15.5.3.2.4.1) may be exempted from an institution’s equivalency computation regardless of whether the recipient qualified for exemption in the initial academic year enrollment, provided:

(a) The recipient achieves a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maximum of 4.000) at the certifying institution; and

(b) The recipient meets all NCAA, conference and institutional progress-toward-degree requirements.

15.5.3.2.4.2 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 recipient’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, provided the recipient achieved a cumulative transferable grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maximum of 4.000).

15.5.3.2.4.2.1 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.

15.5.3.2.4.2.2 Renewals. The renewal of an academic honor award (per Bylaw 15.5.3.2.4.2) may be exempted from an institution’s equivalency computation, provided:

(a) The recipient achieves a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.000 (based on a maximum of 4.000) at the certifying institution; and

(b) The recipient meets all NCAA, conference and institutional progress-toward-degree requirements.

15.5.3.2.4.3 Institutional Academic Scholarships. Institutional academic scholarships that are part of an institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships, based solely on the recipient’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.

15.5.3.2.4.4 Academic Study Abroad Exception. All countable financial aid of a student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study-abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 is exempt from an institution’s equivalency computation. Countable financial aid in an amount equal to the countable financial aid provided to the participating student-athlete may be provided to

a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team for the term or terms of participation in the study-abroad program.

15.5.3.2.4.5 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Exception. All countable financial aid of a student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.4 is exempt from an institution’s equivalency computation. Countable financial aid in an amount equal to the countable financial aid provided to the participating student-athlete may be provided to a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team for the term or terms of participation in the internship or cooperative educational work experience program.

15.5.3.2.5 Cancellation of Athletically Related Aid. If a student-athlete is dismissed from or voluntarily withdraws from a team and the student-athlete’s athletically related financial aid is canceled (see Bylaws 15.3.2.3, 15.3.4.2 and 15.3.4.1) during an academic term, all other countable financial aid the student-athlete receives during 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 the student-athlete’s 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.

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.

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.

15.5.4.1.1 Exception — Need-Based Athletics Aid Only. In baseball, an institution that awards athletically 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 institutional 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 equivalency value per counter.

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 collegiate institution.

15.5.4.2 Academic Study Abroad Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.4.3 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to

Bylaw 12.8.1.4 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.4.4 Voluntary Withdrawal From the Institution During the Academic Year. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons) who voluntarily withdraws from the institution during the academic year by providing the financial aid to another student-athlete, including an incoming student-athlete, beginning with the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, winter or spring quarter) without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year.

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.

15.5.5.1.1 Academic Study Abroad Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.5.1.2 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.4 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.5.2 Women’s Basketball. There shall be an annual limit of 15 on the total number of counters in women’s basketball at each institution.

15.5.5.2.1 Academic Study Abroad Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.5.2.2 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.4 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.5.3 Voluntary Withdrawal From the Institution During the Academic Year. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons) who voluntarily withdraws from the institution during the academic year by providing the financial aid to another student-athlete, including an incoming student-athlete, beginning with the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, winter or spring quarter) without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year.

15.5.5.4 Replacement of an Ineligible Student-Athlete. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year college transfer) whose aid is canceled because the student-athlete was rendered ineligible for intercollegiate competition during a particular academic term (e.g., fall semester, winter quarter) by providing the financial aid to another student in the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, spring quarter).

15.5.6 Football Limitations.

15.5.6.1 Bowl Subdivision Football. There shall be an annual limit of 85 on the total number of counters in football at each institution.

15.5.6.2 Championship Subdivision Football. There shall be an annual limit of 63 on the value of financial aid awards (equivalencies) to counters and an annual limit of 85 on the total number of counters in football at each Football Championship Subdivision institution.

15.5.6.2.1 Exception — Championship Subdivision. Championship subdivision football programs that meet the following criteria are exempt from the championship subdivision football counter requirements of Bylaws 15.5.1 and 15.5.6, regardless of multisport student-athletes who receive athletics aid in a sport other than football:

(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 Exceptions.

15.5.6.3.1 Midyear Replacement. 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 and the replaced student-athlete shall not be a counter for the remainder of that academic year. 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.

15.5.6.3.2 Preseason Voluntary Withdrawal. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year college transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons or who has not withdrawn from the institution) who voluntarily withdraws from the football team by providing the financial aid to another student who already has enrolled 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 the first game of the season, whichever is earlier, and, for students other than an undergraduate four-year transfer, 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 immediately (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 an ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, winter quarter).

15.5.6.3.3 Voluntary Withdrawal From the Institution During the Academic Year. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year college transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons) who voluntarily withdraws from the institution during the academic year by providing the financial aid to another student-athlete, including an incoming student-athlete, beginning with the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, winter or spring quarter) without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year. If the departing student-athlete is not an undergraduate four-year transfer, the replaced student-athlete’s aid may be canceled upon the institution’s receipt of a signed statement from the student-athlete releasing the institution from its obligation to provide institutional financial aid and verifying the voluntary nature of the withdrawal. If such a statement is received, a hearing opportunity (per Bylaw 15.3.2.3) is not required.

15.5.6.3.4 Replacement of an Ineligible Student-Athlete. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year college transfer) whose aid is canceled because the student-athlete was rendered ineligible for intercollegiate competition during a particular academic term (e.g., fall semester, winter quarter) by providing the financial aid to another student in the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, spring quarter).

15.5.6.3.5 Academic Study Abroad Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.6.3.6 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.4 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.6.3.7 Sprint Football. 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 institution.

15.5.7.1 Academic Study Abroad Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.7.2 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.4 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.7.3 Voluntary Withdrawal From the Institution During the Academic Year. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons) who voluntarily withdraws from the institution during the academic year by providing the financial aid to another student-athlete, including an incoming student-athlete, beginning with the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, winter or spring quarter) without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year.

15.5.8 Women’s Beach Volleyball Limitations.

15.5.8.1 Institutions That Sponsor Women’s Beach Volleyball and Women’s Volleyball. If an institution sponsors women’s beach 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 beach volleyball.

15.5.8.2 Institutions That Sponsor Women’s Beach Volleyball but Do Not Sponsor Women’s Volleyball. 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 beach volleyball.

15.5.8.3 Academic Study Abroad Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time study abroad program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.3 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.8.4 Internship or Cooperative Educational Work Experience Program Replacement. A student-athlete who is participating in a full-time internship or cooperative educational work experience program pursuant to Bylaw 12.8.1.4 may be replaced as a counter for the term or terms of participation by a student who already has enrolled in the institution and is a member of the team.

15.5.8.5 Voluntary Withdrawal From the Institution During the Academic Year. An institution may replace a counter (other than an undergraduate four-year transfer who withdraws for athletically related reasons) who voluntarily withdraws from the institution during the academic year by providing the financial aid to another student-athlete, including an incoming student-athlete, beginning with the ensuing term (e.g., spring semester, winter or spring quarter) without making the second student-athlete a counter for the remainder of that academic year.

15.5.9 Multisport Participants.

15.5.9.1 Football. In football, a counter who was recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.9) 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 15.02.9) and/or offered financial aid to participate in football and who competes in football and one or more sports (including basketball) shall be counted in football.

15.5.9.1.1 Championship Subdivision Football Exception. A counter who practices or competes in football at a Football Championship Subdivision institution that elects to use the football 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 limitations in the other sport.

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 Men’s Ice Hockey. 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.

15.5.9.4 Men’s Swimming and Diving/Men’s Water Polo. A counter who practices or competes in both men’s swimming and diving and men’s water polo shall be counted in men’s swimming and diving, unless the individual counts in football or basketball.

15.5.9.5 Women’s Volleyball. 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 Beach Volleyball in First Year of Enrollment. A student-athlete who was a counter in women’s beach volleyball during the student-athlete’s initial year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution and participates (practices and competes) in women’s volleyball during the student-athlete’s second year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution shall be a counter in women’s volleyball for the student-athlete’s initial year of full-time enrollment at the certifying institution.

15.5.9.6 Two-Year Exception. If an individual has participated in a sport other than basketball or women’s volleyball for two years or more since the individual’s initial collegiate enrollment and would be involved only in basketball 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 the institution’s intercollegiate team, at either the varsity or junior varsity level.

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:

(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;

(d) If a recruited student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.02.9), 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 student-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 academic year against the maximum limitations in the second sport.

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 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 (see Bylaw 12.10.2). [D]

15.5.11.2.1 Procedures. The following procedures shall be used for the squad list: [D]

(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 institution in intercollegiate athletics; and

(d) The athletics director (or 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 consent 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]

15.5.11.3.1 Exception — 14-Day Grace Period. An institution is not required to place a student-athlete 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.

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Effective Date:July 1, 2025

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Financial Aid

Rationale: This proposal would implement the necessary changes to Bylaw 15 to effectuate the application of the settlement of the House, Hubbard and Carter cases. It would also implement editorial changes.

2025-10 AWARDS, BENEFITS AND EXPENSES – IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSE V. NCAA SETTLEMENT – BENEFITS CAP MANAGEMENT

Status:Draft

Intent:To implement the provisions of the House settlement related to Bylaw 16, as specified.

Bylaws: Amend 16, as follows:

16 Awards, Benefits and Expenses for Enrolled Student-Athletes

[16.01 unchanged.]

16.02 Definitions and Applications.

[16.02.1 unchanged.]

16.02.2 Benefits Pool/Benefits Cap. The benefits pool is the value of additional payments and/or benefits (see Bylaw 16.13) an institution may provide to its student-athletes during an academic year pursuant to the House settlement. The pool is calculated based on revenue categories set forth in the House settlement and pursuant to a formula and policies and procedures consistent with the settlement. The benefits cap refers to the limit on the value of additional payments and/or benefits an institution may provide to its student-athletes during an academic year. The value of the benefits pool and the value of the benefits cap are the same for each academic year.

16.02.5 Pay. Pay is the receipt of funds, awards or benefits not permitted by governing legislation of the Association for participation in athletics. (See Bylaw 12.1.2.1 for explanation of forms of pay prohibited under the Association’s amateur-status regulations.)

16.1 Awards.

16.1.1 Application of Awards Legislation.

16.1.1.1 Awards Received for Participation While not Representing the Institution. Awards received by an individual for participation in competition while not representing the institution shall conform to the rules of the amateur sports organization that governs the competition, but may not include cash (or cash equivalents) that exceeds actual and necessary expenses (see Bylaw 12.1.2.4).

[16.1.1.2 renumbered as 16.1.1.1, unchanged.]
[16.1.2 through 16.1.7 unchanged.]
[16.2 through 16.12 unchanged.]

16.13 Settlement Related Benefits and Expenses.

and expenses must be reported to the designated benefits cap management entity. Additional benefits pool compliance regulations shall be developed, maintained and published as policies and procedures. Unless otherwise noted in this section, awards, benefits and expenses provided that were permissible as of October 7, 2024, do not count toward the benefits cap and may continue to be provided.

16.13.1.1 Name, Image and Likeness Payments. The value of payments from an institution for a student-athlete’s name, image and likeness (see Bylaw 22.2.1) must count toward the benefits cap, including payments in which an institutional designee or contractor (e.g., multimedia rights holder) acts as an agent, facilitator, and/or administrator for an institution whereby payments are made to a student-athlete that originate from or are paid by the institution.

16.13.1.2 Miscellaneous Payments and Benefits. The provision of other direct payments or benefits by an institution to a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s family, shall be counted against the benefits cap unless exempted by NCAA legislation or interpretation. This requirement includes payments in which an institutional designee or contractor (e.g., multimedia rights holder) acts as an agent, facilitator, and/or administrator for an institution whereby payments are made to a student-athlete that originate from or are paid by the institution.

16.13.1.3 Academic or Graduation Awards or Incentives. The aggregated value of up to $2.5 million in academic or graduation awards or incentives provided by an institution pursuant to Bylaw 16.1.4.5 must be counted against the benefits cap; however, there is no limit on the number or total value of such awards or incentives that may be provided.

16.13.1.4 Incremental Athletics Scholarships. The full cost of attendance value of up to $2.5 million in incremental athletics scholarships provided by the institution in excess of the 2024-25 academic year team scholarship limit for a particular sport must be counted against the benefits cap; however, there is no limit on the number of new athletics scholarships that can be awarded other than as created by the roster limit for a particular sport.

16.13.1.5 Benefits From Individuals or Organizations Other Than an Institution. Benefits from individuals or entities other than an institution (third parties) are governed by Bylaws 16.02.3 and 16.11.1.1. The value of an additional benefit provided by an individual or entity outside the institution does not count against the benefits cap. Entities or organizations that are owned, controlled, or operated by member institutions and/or Division I conferences are not third parties.

16.13.1.6 Timing of Benefits and Reporting. The value of benefits provided to a student-athlete must count against the benefits cap during the year in which the benefit was promised to be provided or paid and/or was actually provided or paid.

16.13.2 Written Agreements. All benefits provided by an institution to an individual shall be specified in signed agreements between the institution and the individual. Such agreements shall be entered and uploaded into the system of record within a specified time period from final signatures.

16.13.3 Benefits Cap Attestation. An institution shall attest to the designated benefits cap management entity the total amount and types of benefits the institution provided during the preceding July 1 through June 30 period by September 1 of each calendar year. The institution’s president/chancellor, athletics director and each head coach shall complete the attestation. The attestation, in addition to other elements addressed by policies and procedures, shall require confirmation of the following:

(a) The information in the system of record is complete, accurate and compliant with the benefits cap rules and policies. The institution must report benefits countable against the benefits cap provided to any individual who participated in athletically related activities (countable, voluntary, required) during the applicable year, regardless of whether the individual was on a sport’s submitted roster;

(b) All countable benefits provided to student-athletes were included in written agreements and the agreements were uploaded into the system of record; and

(c) Student-athletes were not guaranteed payments or benefits that were not included in a written agreement and entered into the system of record.

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Effective Date:July 1, 2025; Any contracts or payment terms for a third-party’s use of a student-athlete’s NIL executed on or after the day of final settlement approval, and agreements executed before the settlement approval date with payments to be made on or after July 1 are subject to the applicable reporting requirements and name, image and likeness clearinghouse review, as specified.

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Awards, Benefits and Expenses

Rationale:This proposal would implement the necessary changes to Bylaw 16 to effectuate the application of the settlement of the House, Hubbard and Carter cases.

2025-15 AWARDS, BENEFITS AND EXPENSES – BENEFITS CAP COMPLIANCE – ELIGIBILITY FOR INSTITUTIONAL BENEFITS

Status:Draft

Intent:To specify that a conference or institution shall not enter into a licensing, institutional brand promotion or endorsement agreement with a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete for a term that extends beyond the individual’s period of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics; and that a student-athlete must meet full-time enrollment and progress-toward-degree requirements in order to receive pool payments, benefits and expenses. [Note: This proposal is applicable only if the Benefits Pool Compliance proposal is adopted.]

Bylaws: Amend 16.13, as follows:

16.13 Settlement Related Benefits and Expenses.

16.13.1 Benefits Cap Compliance. An institution may provide payments, benefits and expenses to a student-athlete as specified in this section, provided the aggregate value provided by (or on behalf of) the institution does not exceed the value of the applicable period’s benefits cap. The annual period for application of the benefits cap is July 1 through June 30. Applicable payments, benefits and expenses must be reported to the designated benefits cap management entity. Additional benefits pool compliance regulations shall be developed, maintained and published as policies and procedures. Unless otherwise noted in this section, awards, benefits and expenses provided that were permissible as of October 7, 2024, do not count toward the benefits cap and may continue to be provided.

16.13.1.1 Eligibility for Institutional Benefits. A conference or institution shall not enter into a licensing, institutional brand promotion or endorsement agreement with a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete for a term that extends beyond the individual’s period of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics (see Bylaw 12.6). (See Bylaw 22.1.1 regarding use of a student-athlete’s name, image and likeness after the student-athlete’s eligibility has expired.) A student-athlete must meet full-time enrollment (see Bylaw 14.2) and progress-toward-degree (see Bylaw 14.4) requirements in order to receive benefits pool payments, benefits and expenses.

[16.13.1.1 through 16.13.1.6 renumbered as 16.13.1.2 through 16.13.1.7, unchanged.]
[16.13.2 through 16.13.3 unchanged.]

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Awards, Benefits and Expenses

Rationale: This proposal would add eligibility parameters related to the receipt of institutional pool benefits. The House settlement noted that such additional rules may be adopted in conjunction with final approval of the settlement.

2025-11 PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS – IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSE V. NCAA SETTLEMENT – ROSTER LIMITATIONS

Status:Draft

Intent: To implement the provisions of the House v. NCAA settlement related to Bylaw 17, including roster limitations, as specified.

Bylaws: Amend 17, as follows:

17 Playing and Practice Seasons

[17.01 through 17.1 unchanged.]

17.2 Roster Limitations. Each sport of a Division I institution that is a member of a defendant conference or opts in to the House settlement must comply with the roster limits set forth below in accordance with the provisions of Bylaw 17.2:

Sport	Limit
Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling	55
Baseball	34
Men’s Basketball	15
Women’s Basketball	15
Women’s Beach Volleyball	19
Women’s Bowling	11
Men’s Cross Country	17
Women’s Cross Country	17
Women’s Equestrian	50
Men’s Fencing	24
Women’s Fencing	24
Field Hockey	27
Football	105
Men’s Golf	9
Women’s Golf	9
Men’s Gymnastics	20
Women’s Gymnastics	20
Men’s Ice Hockey	26
Women’s Ice Hockey	26
Men’s Lacrosse	48
Women’s Lacrosse	38
Men’s and Women’s Rifle	12
Women’s Rowing	68
Women’s Rugby	36
Men’s Skiing	16
Women’s Skiing	16
Men’s Soccer	28
Women’s Soccer	28
Softball	25
Women’s Stunt	65
Men’s Swimming and Diving	30
Women’s Swimming and Diving	30
Men’s Tennis	10
Women’s Tennis	10
Men’s Indoor Track and Field	45
Men’s Outdoor Track and Field	45
Women’s Indoor Track and Field	45
Women’s Outdoor Track and Field	45
Women’s Triathlon	14
Men’s Volleyball	18
Women’s Volleyball	18
Men’s Water Polo	24
Women’s Water Polo	24
Men’s Wrestling	30
Women’s Wrestling	30

[17.2 renumbered as 17.3, unchanged.]

17.34 Baseball. Regulations for computing the baseball playing season are set forth in Bylaw 17.1. (See Figure 17-1 and Figure 17-2.)

[17.3.1 through 17.3.7 renumbered as 17.4.1 through 17.4.7, unchanged.]

17.34.8 Other Restrictions.

[17.3.8.1 through 17.3.8.2 renumbered as 17.4.8.1 through 17.4.8.2 unchanged.]

17.3.8.3 Varsity Squad Size Limitation — Championship Segment. An institution shall declare a varsity squad of a maximum of 35 student-athletes by the day prior to its first scheduled contest in the championship segment of the playing and practice season. Only those student-athletes who are declared as varsity squad members at that time shall be eligible to participate in countable athletically related activities with the varsity squad during the remainder of the championship segment. Declared varsity squad members shall not participate in countable athletically related activities with an institution’s subvarsity team (e.g., freshman, junior varsity). A student-athlete who is a counter (per Bylaw 15.5.1) must be included in the varsity squad limit.

17.3.8.3.1 Exception — Season-Ending Injury. An institution may replace a varsity squad member who sustains a season-ending injury prior to the institution’s first scheduled competition in the championship segment, provided medical documentation verifies the student-athlete suffered an incapacitating injury or illness and is unable to participate in team practice and competition for the remainder of the academic year. The student-athlete selected as a replacement shall not have previously received athletically related financial aid and must have participated with the team during the fall academic term.

17.3.8.3.1.1 Application to Replaced Student-Athlete. A student-athlete who has been replaced as a varsity squad member due to a season-ending injury may participate in the following countable athletically related activities with the varsity team:

(a) Participation in limited on-field activities (e.g., hitting fungoes, shagging balls);

(b) Dress in uniform and be in the dugout during contests; and

(c) Participation in rehabilitation activities (including the use of baseball-specific equipment) under the supervision of a coaching staff member conducted at the same time as team practice.

17.3.8.3.2 Exception — Voluntary Withdrawal. An institution may replace a varsity squad member who voluntarily (on the squad member’s own initiative) withdraws from the team for personal reasons before the institution’s first scheduled competition in the championship segment. A student-athlete providing notification to transfer does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal. The student-athlete selected as a replacement shall not have previously received athletically related financial aid and must have participated with the team during the fall term.

[17.4 through 17.10 renumbered as 17.5 through 17.11, unchanged.]

17.1112 Football. Regulations for computing the football playing season are set forth in Bylaw 17.1. (See Figure 17-1 and Figure 17-2.)

[17.1112.1 through 17.11.2 renumbered as 17.12.1 through 17.12.2, unchanged.]

17.1112.3 Practice.

17.1112.3.1 First Practice Date. An institution shall not commence official preseason football practice sessions, for the varsity, junior varsity or freshman team, before 31 days before its first scheduled

intercollegiate game. Before its first scheduled intercollegiate game, an institution may not engage in more than 25 on-field practices.

[17.11.3.1.1 renumbered as 17.12.3.1.1, unchanged.]

17.11.3.1.2 Limit on Number of Participants. There is limit of 110 student-athletes who may engage in practice activities prior to the institution’s first day of classes or prior to the seventh day before the day of the institution’s first contest, whichever occurs earlier.

17.11.3.1.2.1 Replacement of Student-Athlete Who Voluntarily Withdraws. A student-athlete who has voluntarily withdrawn from an institution’s team, has departed the practice site and no longer will engage in any preseason activities may be replaced with another student-athlete without including that individual in the preseason practice limitation.

17.11.3.1.2.2 Replacement of Student-Athlete Due to Injury of Illness. A student-athlete who sustains an injury or illness that prevents further participation in preseason practice activities may be replaced with another student-athlete without including that individual in the preseason practice limitation. The replaced student-athlete shall cease participation in all athletically related activities (including team meetings and film review) and shall not resume participation in athletically related activities before the institution’s first day of classes or prior to the seventh day before the day of the institution’s first contest, whichever occurs first. The replaced student-athlete may continue to receive preseason practice expenses.

17.11.3.1.2.3 Exception — National Service Academies — Bowl Subdivision. In bowl subdivision football, there is no limit on the number of student-athletes who will be attending a national service academy and who may engage in preseason practice activities.

17.11.3.1.2.4 Junior Varsity Exception — Championship Subdivision. In championship subdivision football, an institution that sponsors a junior varsity team that competes in at least four intercollegiate contests is not subject to the preseason practice limitation.

[17.11.3.2 through 17.11.3.5 renumbered as 17.12.3.2 through 17.12.3.5, unchanged.]
[17.11.4 through 17.11.9 renumbered as 17.12.4 through 17.12.9, unchanged.]
[17.12 through 17.34 renumbered as 17.13 through 17.35, unchanged.]

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Effective Date:July 1, 2025

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Playing and Practice Seasons

Rationale:This proposal would implement the necessary changes to Bylaw 17 to effectuate the application of the settlement of the House, Hubbard and Carter cases.

2025-12 NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS ACTIVITIES – IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSE V. NCAA SETTLEMENT

Status:Draft

Intent:To implement the provisions of the House settlement related to Bylaw 22, as specified.

Bylaws: Amend 22, as follows:

22 Name, Image and Likeness Activities

22.01 General Principles.

22.01.1 Name, Image and Likeness Compensation. An individual may receive compensation for the use of the individual’s name, image and likeness, which may be secured or compensated based, in whole or in part, on athletics skill or reputation. Name, image and likeness activities may not be used to compensate a student-athlete an individual for athletics participation or achievement.

22.01.2 Offers and Inducements. Name, image and likeness activities may not be used as an inducement for an individual to enroll or remain enrolled at a specific institution.

22.02 Definitions and Applications.

22.02.1 Associated Entity. An associated entity is:

(a) An entity that is or was known (or should have been known) to an institution’s athletics department staff to exist, in significant part, for the purpose of promoting or supporting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program or student-athletes; and/or creating or identifying name, image and likeness opportunities solely for the institution’s student-athletes;

(b) An entity that has been directed or requested by an institution’s athletics department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of student-athletes or prospective student-athletes, or otherwise has assisted in the recruitment or retention of student-athletes or prospective student-athletes; or

(c) An entity owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated with an associated individual or an associated entity defined in (a) or (b) above, other than a publicly traded corporation.

22.02.2 Associated Individual. An associated individual is:

(a) An individual who is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of an associated entity;

(b) An individual who directly or indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated entity or family member) has contributed more than $50,000 during the individual’s lifetime to an institution or to an associated entity defined in 22.02.1-(a); or

(c) An individual who has been directed or requested by an institution’s athletics department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of student-athletes or prospective student-athletes, or otherwise has assisted in the recruitment or retention of student-athletes or prospective student-athletes.

22.02.1 Name, Image and Likeness Activity. Name, image and likeness activity is any activity that involves the commercial use of an individual’s name, image, or likeness or appearance to advertise or endorse the sale or use of a commercial product or service. Name, image and likeness activity is also any activity that involves the use of an individual’s name, image, likeness or appearance to support noncommercial (e.g., charitable, educational, nonprofit) entities or endeavors, or in activities considered incidental to the individual’s participation in intercollegiate athletics. Name, image and likeness compensation must:

(a) Include quid pro quo (e.g., compensation for work performed);

(b) Not be contingent upon initial or continued enrollment at a particular institution (see Bylaw 22.01.2); and

22.1 Role of Institutions in Student-Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Activities.

22.1.1 Institutional Involvement in Student-Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Opportunities Activities. An institution may provide assistance and services (e.g., identify specific name, image and likeness opportunities, facilitate deals between student-athletes and third parties) to a student-athlete pursuing name, image and likeness opportunities, provided An institution or an entity owned, controlled, funded or operated by the institution may:

(a) Enter into a written license and/or endorsement agreement for the use of a student-athlete’s name, image or likeness, or other rights, other than a license or agreement that authorizes payment for the right to use a student-athlete’s name, image or likeness for a broadcast of collegiate athletic games or competitive athletic events, for a period not to exceed the student-athlete’s period of eligibility (see Bylaw 12.8). However, if an institution and a student-athlete agree to the institution’s use of the student-athlete’s name, image or likeness to promote its academic or athletics program in content created while the student-athlete is enrolled, the institution may, pursuant to the agreement, continue the use of such content after the student-athlete’s eligibility has expired; and

(b) Act as a marketing agent for a student-athlete with respect to third-party name, image or likeness contracts. A parent, guardian, lawyer, or other competent representative may assist the student-athlete in discussions regarding entering into an exclusive or nonexclusive license or endorsement agreement, unless the student-athlete waives in writing the assistance of a parent, guardian, lawyer, or other competent representative.

(a) The student-athlete does not receive compensation from the institution for use of the student-athlete’s name, image or likeness (e.g., indirect or direct payment from the institution for use of name, image or likeness);

(b) The student-athlete maintains independent authority over the name, image and likeness agreement (e.g., student-athlete determines specific terms, has final decision in accepting or rejecting name, image and likeness agreements); and

(c) The student-athlete is not required to accept institutional assistance or services (e.g., assistance and services are optional, outside representation may be used).

22.1.1.1 Third-Party Service Providers. An institution may contract with third-party service providers (e.g., multimedia rights holder, attorney, tax service, name, image and likeness marketplace) to provide a student-athlete the same support an institution is permitted to provide to a student-athlete.

22.1.2 Noninstitutional Name, Image and Likeness Activities. An individual may permit the use of the individual’s name, image, likeness in noninstitutional name, image and likeness activities and receive compensation for such activities, subject to Bylaw 21.1.3.

22.1.3 Involvement of Associated Entities or Individuals in Student-Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Activities. An associated entity or individual shall not enter into an agreement with or provide payment

to a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete unless the agreement or payment terms, as determined by the name, image and likeness clearinghouse, are for a valid business purpose related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services provided to the general public for profit, with compensation at rates and terms commensurate with compensation paid to similarly situated individuals with comparable name, image and likeness value who are not prospective student-athletes or student-athletes of the institution.

22.2 Disclosure.

22.2.1 Disclosure of Name, Image and Likeness Activities. An institution must provide a student-athlete an opportunity to disclose name, image and likeness activities to the institution consistent with the provisions of Bylaw 22.2.

22.2.1.1 Receipt of Institutional Assistance and Services. An institution may provide assistance and services to a student-athlete who elects to disclose name, image and likeness activities consistent with institutional policies and procedures. A student-athlete who elects not to disclose name, image and likeness activities shall not receive such institutional assistance and services.

22.2.1.2 Name, Image and Likeness Attestation. A student-athlete who elects to disclose name, image and likeness activities must attest that:

(a) All disclosed information is and will be complete and accurate;

(b) The disclosed activities are and will be consistent with institutional and conference policy, NCAA rules and any applicable state or federal law;

(c) Pay or promise of pay related to the disclosed activities are not and will not be a substitute for payment for athletics participation or achievement or an inducement to enroll or remain enrolled at a specific institution; and

(d) Acknowledgement that failure to disclose or fraudulent disclosure may constitute impermissible unethical conduct (see Bylaw 10.1).

22.2.2 Institutional Policies. An institution shall establish policies for student-athlete disclosure of name, image and likeness activities consistent with Bylaw 22.2 and its subsections.

22.2.3 Name, Image and Likeness Disclosure. A student-athlete who elects to disclose name, image and likeness activities must provide such disclosures not later than 30 days after entering into or signing an agreement. Upon initial enrollment at the certifying institution, a student-athlete who elects to disclose name, image and likeness activities must provide the institution all current and expired name, image and likeness activities not later than 30 days after enrollment.

22.2.3.1 Required Elements of Name, Image and Likeness Disclosure. Disclosure of a student-athlete’s name, image and likeness activities shall include the following:

(a) Names and contact information of individuals involved in the activity, including a description of the nature of the relationship between such individuals;

(b) Terms of the arrangement, including a description of services rendered, rights granted, term duration, compensation and payment structure (e.g., cash, barter, deferred);

(c) Names and contact information of professional service providers involved in the arranging, negotiating, or securing the disclosed activity, including a description of the nature of the relationship between the service provider and individuals involved in the activity; and

(d) Terms of compensation between the professional service provider and the student-athlete (e.g., agent contingency fee).

22.2.3.2 Reasonable Time to Cure Failure to Disclose. If an institution discovers that a student-athlete who elected to disclose name, image and likeness activities failed to meet the requirements of Bylaw 22.2.3 and its subsections, the institution may provide the student-athlete a reasonable amount of time to disclose the name, image and likeness activity.

22.2.3.3 Limited Disclosure. Unless otherwise noted, a student-athlete shall not be required to disclose name, image and likeness activities valued at less than $600. A student-athlete must disclose name, image and likeness activities involving the same (or substantially the same) parties if the aggregate value of the activities is equal to or greater than $600.

22.2.3.4 Effect of Violation. As it relates to compliance with institutional policies consistent with Bylaw 22.2 or its subsections, an institution shall only be held accountable through the NCAA infractions process for actions that clearly demonstrate a disregard for its stated policies.

22.2.3.5 Reporting of Disclosed Information. Aggregated information related to name, image and likeness activities disclosed to an institution shall be reported to the NCAA national office on a biannual basis. An institution shall make disclosed information available for examination on request by an NCAA staff member or an authorized representative of the NCAA.

22.2.3.5.1 Publication of Aggregate Name, Image and Likeness Data. The NCAA national office shall make available an aggregated database of disclosed name, image and likeness information.

22.2 Reporting and Clearinghouse Review of Name, Image and Likeness Activities.

22.2.1 Reporting of Institutional Student-Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Activities. An institution shall report institutional name, image and likeness payments through the benefits cap management system (see Bylaw 16.13).

22.2.2 Reporting of Noninstitutional Name, Image and Likeness Activities. A student-athlete shall report all noninstitutional name, image and likeness contracts or payment terms, including those involving associated entities or individuals, with a total value of $600 or more to the designated name, image and likeness clearinghouse for review. If an individual enters into multiple agreements or receives multiple payments from the same or substantially the same third party including, any affiliates or parties with common ownership, such activities must be reported if the aggregate value is $600 or more during the student-athlete’s period of eligibility.

22.2.2.1 Documentation. Written documentation of the name, image and likeness contract or payment terms with clear evidence of agreement to the contract or payment terms from the student-athlete and noninstitutional payor must be submitted to the name, image and likeness clearinghouse. Additional documentation or information may be requested if the payor is different from the noninstitutional individual or entity that entered into an NIL contract or agreed to payment terms with the student-athlete.

22.2.2.2 Timing of Reporting. A student-athlete shall submit written documentation to the name, image and likeness clearinghouse within five business days of execution of a noninstitutional name, image or likeness contract or agreement to payment terms.

22.2.2.3 Attestation. Upon registration with the NIL clearinghouse, current and incoming student-athletes shall attest that all noninstitutional name, image and likeness contracts or payment terms subject to Bylaw 22.2.2 will be reported to the NIL clearinghouse. A student-athlete shall attest to the following when disclosing noninstitutional name, image and likeness contracts or payments to the name, image and likeness clearinghouse:

(a) The name, image and likeness contract or payment terms as submitted is accurate and complete;

(b) Student-athlete obligations and noninstitutional payments details are included in the written documentation,

(d) Student-athlete obligations will be or are intended to be performed during the annual reporting period.

22.2.2.4 Student-Athlete Responsibility. A student-athlete shall be responsible for the accurate submission of noninstitutional name, image and likeness contract or payment terms, including any enforcement action resulting from the submission of a noninstitutional contract or payment terms of a name, image and likeness agreement involving an associated entity or individual that does not meet the standard of review specified in Bylaw 22.2.4.

22.2.3 Noninstitutional Payor Attestation. After a student-athlete submits a noninstitutional contract or payment terms to the name, image and likeness clearinghouse, the noninstitutional payor shall attest to the following:

(a) Whether the noninstitutional payor meets the definition of an associated entity or individual;

(b) The accuracy and completeness of the name, image and likeness contract or payment terms as submitted by the student-athlete;

(c) That the noninstitutional payor was not directed by an institution to enter into the contract or payment terms with the student-athlete; and

(d) That the noninstitutional payor has self-funded the payment to the student-athlete.

22.2.3.1 Institutional Responsibility. An institution shall be responsible for disclosing all associated entities or individuals associated with the institution to the NIL clearinghouse. If a noninstitutional payor cannot be verified as associated, then the institution shall be responsible for making such a verification.

including a noninstitutional payor, is involved. If an associated entity or individual is involved, the NIL clearinghouse shall determine whether the contract or payment terms are for a valid business purpose related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services provided to the general public for profit, with compensation at rates and terms commensurate with compensation paid to similarly situated individuals with comparable name, image and likeness value who are not prospective student-athletes or student-athletes of the institution.

22.3 Professional Service Providers.

[22.3.1 unchanged.]

22.3.2 Professional Service Provider Registry. The NCAA national office shall make available a centralized registry of professional service providers who provide or are seeking to provide services to student-athletes in a manner approved by the Board of Directors, or an entity designated by the Board.

22.4 Education.

22.4.1 Name, Image and Likeness Education. The NCAA national office shall make available comprehensive education regarding name, image and likeness activities in a manner approved by the Board of Directors, or an entity designated by the Board. Such education shall include the provision of standardized contract terms for use in name, image and likeness agreements.

22.4 Use of Commercial Trademarks or Logos on Equipment, Uniforms and Apparel. A student-athlete may use athletics equipment or wear athletics apparel that bears the trademark or logo of an athletics equipment or apparel manufacturer or distributor in athletics competition and pre- and postgame activities (e.g., celebrations on the court, pre- or postgame press conferences), provided the following criteria are met. [D]

22.4.1 Laundry Label. If an institution’s uniform or any item of apparel worn by a student-athlete in competition contains washing instructions on the outside of the apparel on a patch that also includes the manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo or trademark, the entire patch must be contained within a four-sided geometrical figure (rectangle, square, parallelogram) that does not exceed 2- 1/4 square inches. [D]

22.4.2 Pre- or Postgame Activities. The restriction on the size of a manufacturer’s or distributor’s logo is applicable to all apparel worn by student-athletes during the conduct of the institution’s

competition, which includes any pre- or postgame activities (e.g., postgame celebrations on the court, pre- or postgame press conferences) involving student-athletes. [D]

22.4.3 Outside Team Uniforms and Apparel. The provisions of Bylaw 12.5.4-(b) do not apply to the official uniforms and apparel worn by outside teams.

22.4.4 Title-Sponsor Recognition. Racing bibs and similar competition identification materials (e.g., bowl-game patches) worn by participants may include the name of the corporate sponsor of the competition, provided the involved commercial company is the sole title sponsor of the competition. [D]

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Name, Image and Likeness Activities

Rationale: This proposal would implement the necessary changes to Bylaw 22 to effectuate the application of the settlement of the House, Hubbard and Carter cases. It would also implement editorial changes.

2025-16 NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS ACTIVITIES – CLEARINGHOUSE REVIEW – AGREEMENTS WITH ASSOCIATED ENTITIES OR INDIVIDUALS – GUIDANCE ON PROPOSED AGREEMENT AND OPTIONS REGARDING IMPERMISSIBLE TERMS

Status:Draft

Intent:To permit a student-athlete to submit a proposed name, image and likeness agreement or offer from an associated entity or individual to the name, image and likeness clearinghouse for review and provide options that a student-athlete may take if the terms of an agreement are determined to be impermissible, as specified. [Note: This proposal is applicable only if the Name, Image and Likeness proposal is adopted.]

Bylaws: Amend 22.2.4, as follows:

22.2.4 Name, Image and Likeness Clearinghouse Review – Agreements With Associated Entities or Individuals. The name, image and likeness clearinghouse shall review all reported noninstitutional name, image and likeness contracts or payment terms submitted by student-athletes once all reporting requirements have been met (see Bylaw 22.2.2) to determine whether an associated entity or individual, including a noninstitutional payor, is involved. If an associated entity or individual is involved, the NIL clearinghouse shall determine whether the contract or payment terms are for a valid business purpose related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services provided to the general public for profit, with compensation at rates and terms commensurate with compensation paid to similarly situated individuals with comparable name, image and likeness value who are not prospective student-athletes or student-athletes of the institution.

22.2.4.1 Guidance on Proposed Agreement or Offer. A student-athlete may submit a proposed name, image and likeness agreement or offer from an associated entity or individual to the name, image and likeness clearinghouse for review. If the proposed agreement or offer does not meet the standards of review, it may be revised and resubmitted or it may be submitted to the neutral arbitration process.

22.2.4.2 Options Regarding Impermissible Terms – After Execution or Payment. If the contract or payment terms of a name, image and likeness agreement do not meet the standard of review and the agreement has been executed or student-athlete has received payment, the following actions may be taken:

(a) The contract or payment terms may be rescinded or revised and resubmitted;

(b) An appeal of the decision may be submitted to the designated enforcement entity and the decision of the designated enforcement authority may be submitted to the neutral arbitration process; and

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Name, Image and Likeness Activities

Rationale:This proposal would add options that may be taken regarding terms of name, image and likeness agreements with associated individuals and entities that are determined to be impermissible. The House settlement noted that such additional rules may be adopted in conjunction with final approval of the settlement.

2025-13 ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AND NEUTRAL ARBITRATION PROCESS – IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSE V. NCAA SETTLEMENT

Status:Draft

Intent: To codify the new enforcement authority for NCAA bylaws related to the House v. NCAA settlement, as specified.

Bylaws: Amend 23, as follows:

23 Designated Enforcement Entity and Neutral Arbitration Process

23.01 General Principle.

23.01.1 Enforcement Authority. An institution that is a member of a defendant conference in the House settlement or an institution that provides additional benefits contemplated by the settlement agrees that the designated enforcement entity has the authority to investigate an alleged violation of an NCAA bylaw developed as a part of the House settlement, pursuant to the standards and procedures set forth in this bylaw and any applicable internal operating procedures.

23.02 Definitions and Applications.

23.02.1 Designated Enforcement Entity. The designated enforcement entity is the entity responsible for enforcement of NCAA bylaws adopted based on the House settlement (roster limits, provision of additional benefits, payments and expenses and noninstitutional name, image and likeness agreements) including investigating alleged violations, prescribing penalties for violation determinations, and serving as the party seeking enforcement of any penalties contested through neutral arbitration.

23.02.2 Neutral Arbitration. Neutral arbitration is the independent process by which an institution or a student-athlete may contest a decision or penalties prescribed by the designated enforcement entity for a violation of the applicable rules.

23.02.3 Neutral Arbitrator. A neutral arbitrator is an individual who is authorized to resolve a dispute regarding decisions or penalties prescribed by the designated enforcement entity. A neutral arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties subject to the neutral arbitration. A neutral arbitrator will be appointed and serve terms according to the terms of the House settlement agreement.

23.1 Negotiated Resolution.

23.1.1 Standard for Negotiated Resolution. If the institution, involved individuals, including student-athletes, and the designated enforcement entity agree, the parties shall submit a negotiated resolution for approval to the chief executive officer of the designated enforcement entity.

23.1.1.1 Timing of Negotiated Resolution. The institution, involved individuals and designated enforcement entity may submit a written agreement any time after the conclusion of the designated enforcement entity’s investigation.

23.1.2 Written Agreement. A negotiated resolution must contain the following:

(a) A description of the case, including the involvement of the parties included in the negotiated resolution;

(b) The agreed-upon violations;

(d) Waiver of opportunity to contest the penalties through the neutral arbitration process or otherwise; and

(e) Other material terms of the agreement.

23.2 Penalties.

23.2.1 Authority to Impose Penalties. If the designated enforcement entity concludes that a violation of settlement related rules occurred, the chief executive officer of the designated enforcement entity has sole authority to prescribe one or more of the following penalties:

(a) Penalties for violations of roster limits;

(b) Penalties for violations of student-athlete benefits cap;

(d) Penalties for other bylaws established pursuant to the settlement agreement.

23.3 Neutral Arbitration Process. An institution or student-athlete may use the neutral arbitration process to contest a decision of the designated enforcement entity.

23.3.1 Duration of Process. A neutral arbitrator shall reach a final written decision within 45 days from commencement of the proceedings. The neutral arbitrator may exceed 45 days based on good cause. The written decision shall be considered final and binding to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

23.3.1.1 Stay of Penalties. During the pendency of arbitration, any prescribed penalties are stayed. The presiding arbitrator, if good cause is shown, may lift a stay.

23.3.1.2 Student-Athlete Right to Counsel. A student-athlete who elects to use the neutral arbitration process has the right to be represented by counsel of the student-athlete’s choice.

23.3.1.2.1 Institutional Support for Student-Athlete. An institution may pay for the attorney’s fees and costs of a student-athlete who elects to use the neutral arbitration process.

23.3.1.3 Authority of Neutral Arbitrator — Document Production. In addition to the evidence made available by the designated enforcement entity, the presiding arbitrator may, as appropriate, order the production of additional documentation that is deemed to be necessary for the fair adjudication of the dispute.

23.3.1.4 Authority to Call Witnesses. In addition to the evidence made available by the designated enforcement entity, the presiding arbitrator may allow the parties to call witnesses during the arbitration process. Witnesses may be represented by counsel of their choice at their own expense.

23.3.2 Institutional Responsibility for Expenses. An institution that elects to use the neutral arbitration process is responsible for paying the arbitrator’s reasonable fees and expenses for the proceedings. If a student-athlete elects to use the neutral arbitration process, the student-athlete’s institution will be responsible for paying the fees and expenses related to the student-athlete’s proceedings.

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Enforcement

Rationale:This proposal would create Bylaw 23 to codify the new enforcement mechanism for NCAA bylaws related to the settlement of the House, Hubbard and Carter cases.

2025-14 VARIOUS BYLAWS – IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSE V. NCAA SETTLEMENT

Status:Draft

Intent: To implement the provisions of the House v. NCAA settlement related to various bylaws, as specified.

A. Bylaws: Amend 8, as follows:

8 Institutional Control

[8.01 through 8.2 unchanged.]

8.3 Financial Donations From Outside Organizations.

8.3.1 Professional Sports Organizations.

8.3.1.1 To Intercollegiate Event. A professional sports organization may serve as a financial sponsor of an intercollegiate competition event, provided the organization is not publicly identified as such. A professional sports organization may serve as a financial sponsor of an activity or promotion that is ancillary to the competition event and may be publicly identified as such. [D]

8.3.1.2 Developmental Funds to NCAA. A professional sports organization may provide funds for intercollegiate athletics developmental purposes in a particular sport (e.g., officiating expenses, research and educational projects, the conduct of summer leagues, purchase of equipment). However, such funds shall be provided in an unrestricted manner and administered through the Association’s national office.

8.3.1.3 To Institution, Permissible. A member institution may receive funds from a professional sports organization, provided:

(a) The money is placed in the institution’s general fund and used for purposes other than athletics;

(b) The money is placed in the institution’s general scholarship fund and commingled with funds for the assistance of all students generally;

8.3.1.4 To Conference, Permissible. A member conference may receive funds from a professional sports organization, provided the money is received by the conference as a result of the professional sports organization’s financial sponsorship of a specific intercollegiate competition event and is placed in the conference’s budget for the specific event, including ancillary activities and promotions.

8.3.1.5 To Institution, Nonpermissible. A member institution shall not accept funds from a professional sports organization if:

(b) The money, even though not earmarked by the donor, is received and credited to institutional funds for the financial assistance of student-athletes generally; or

(c) The money is placed in the institution’s general fund and credited to the athletics department for an unspecified purpose.

8.3.1.6 Revenues Derived from Pro-Am Events. The distribution of revenues from an event involving an intercollegiate athletics team and a professional sports team (e.g., a baseball game in which a member institution’s team plays against a professional baseball team) or pro-am event (e.g., golf, tennis) that results in a member institution’s receiving a share of receipts from such a contest is permitted, provided the institution has a formal agreement with the professional sports team regarding the institution’s guarantee or share of receipts and the contractual terms are consistent with agreements made by the professional team or individuals for similar intercollegiate or nonprofessional competition.

8.3.1.7 Promotion of Professional Athletics Contests. A member institution may host and promote an athletics contest between two professional teams from recognized professional sports leagues as a fundraising activity for the institution.

8.3.1.8 Reciprocal Marketing Agreements — Sports Other Than Football and Men’s Basketball. In sports other than football and men’s basketball, an institution’s marketing department may enter into a reciprocal contractual relationship with a professional sports organization for the specific purpose of marketing and promoting an institutionally sponsored sport.

8.3.2 Other Organizations (Nonprofessional Sports Organizations).

8.3.2.1 Individual Athletics Performance. A member institution shall not accept funds donated from a nonprofessional sports organization based on the place finish of a student-athlete or the number of student-athletes representing the institution in an event. However, the organization may donate an equal amount of funds to every institution with an athlete or team participating in a particular event.

8.3.2.2 Individual and Team Rankings. A member institution may accept funds donated to its athletics program from a nonprofessional sports organization based on an individual’s or a team’s national or regional ranking.

8.3.2.3 Academic Performance. A member institution may accept funds donated to its athletics program from a nonprofessional sports organization based on an individual’s or a team’s academic performance (e.g., the number of Academic All-American award recipients).

[8.3 through 8.4 renumbered as 8.4 through 8.5, unchanged.]

B. Bylaws: Amend 11.1.3, as follows:

11.1.3 Representing Individuals in Marketing Athletics Ability/Reputation. Staff members of the athletics department of a member institution shall not represent, directly or indirectly, any individual in the marketing of athletics ability or reputation to an agent, a professional sports team or a professional sports organization to secure an opportunity as a professional athlete, including receiving compensation for arranging commercial

endorsements or personal appearances for former student-athletes, except as specified in Bylaw 11.1.3.1, and shall not receive compensation or gratuities of any kind, directly or indirectly, for such services.

[11.1.3.1 unchanged.]

C. Bylaws: Amend 10.1, as follows:

10.1 Unethical Conduct. Unethical conduct by a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member, which includes any individual who performs work for the institution or the athletics department even if the individual does not receive compensation for such work, may include, but is not limited to, the following:

[10.1-(a) through 10.1-(d) unchanged.]

(e) Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA, the NCAA Eligibility Center or the institution’s athletics department regarding an individual’s amateur athletics eligibility status.

D. Bylaws: Amend 13, as follows:

13 Recruiting

[13.01 through 13.02 unchanged.]

13.1 Contacts and Evaluations. Recruiting contacts (per Bylaw 13.02.4) and telephone calls by institutional staff members or representatives of the institution’s athletics interests are subject to the provisions set forth in this bylaw. [D]
[13.1.1 unchanged.]

13.1.2 Permissible Recruiters.

13.1.2.1 General Rule. All in-person, on- and off-campus recruiting contacts with a prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete’s family members shall be made only by authorized institutional staff members. Such contact, as well as correspondence and telephone calls, by representatives of an institution’s athletics interests is prohibited except as otherwise permitted in this section. [D]

13.1.2.2 General Exceptions. This regulation is not applicable to:

(a) Name, Image and Likeness Activities. Contact, telephone calls and correspondence related to name, image and likeness activities (e.g. offers, agreements).

[13.1.2.2-(a) through 13.1.2.2-(i) relettered as 13.1.2.2-(b) through 13.1.2.2-(j), unchanged.]
[13.1.2.3 unchanged.]

13.1.2.4 Other Restrictions, Athletics Representatives. The following are additional restrictions that apply to athletics representatives: [D]

(a) Telephone Conversation. An athletics representative of a member institution may speak to a prospective student-athlete via the telephone only if the prospective student-athlete initiates the telephone conversation

and the call is not for recruiting purposes. Under such circumstances, the representative must refer questions about the institution’s athletics program to the athletics department staff;

[13.1.2.4-(b) through 13.1.2.4-(d) relettered as 13.1.2.4-(a) through 13.1.2.4-(c), unchanged.]
[13.1.2.5 through 13.1.2.8 unchanged.]

13.1.3 Telephone Calls.

[13.1.3.1 unchanged.]

13.1.3.3 Nonpermissible Callers.

13.1.3.3.1 Representatives of Athletics Interests. Representatives of an institution’s athletics interests (as defined in Bylaw 13.02.15) are prohibited from making telephonic communications with a prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete’s family members. [D]

13.1.3.3.1.1 Prospective Student-Athlete Initiates Call. An athletics representative of a member institution may speak to a prospective student-athlete via the telephone only if the prospective student-athlete initiates the telephone conversation and the call is not for recruiting purposes. Under such circumstances, the representative must refer questions about the institution’s athletics program to the athletics department staff. [D]
[13.1.4 through 13.1.10 unchanged.]
[13.2 through 13.5 unchanged.]

13.6 Official (Paid) Visit.

[13.6.1 through 13.6.6 unchanged.]

13.6.7 Entertainment/Tickets on Official Visit.

13.6.7.1 General Restrictions. An institution may provide entertainment, pursuant to Bylaw 13.6.7.4, on the official visit for a prospective student-athlete and up to four family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete within a 30-mile radius of the institution’s main campus. Entertainment and contact by representatives of the institution’s athletics interests during the official visit are is prohibited. It is not permissible to entertain friends (including dates) of a prospective student-athlete at any time at any site. [R]
[13.6.7.2 through 13.6.7.10 unchanged.]
[13.6.8 through 13.6.9 unchanged.]

13.9 Letter-of-Intent Programs, Financial Aid Agreements and Offers.

[13.9.1 unchanged.]

13.9.2 Requirements for Written Offer of Athletically Related Financial Aid. The following requirements must be met before an institution may provide a written offer of athletically related financial aid (per Bylaw 15.3.2.2) to a prospective student-athlete: [D]
[13.9.2-(a) through 13.9.2-(b) unchanged.]

(c) A high school, preparatory school or transfer (if applicable) prospective student-athlete must complete the amateurism athletics eligibility certification questionnaire administered by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

[13.9.3 unchanged.]
[13.10 through 13.11 unchanged.]

13.12 Sports Camps and Clinics.

13.12.1 Institution’s Sports Camps and Clinics.

[13.12.1.1 through 13.12.1.6 unchanged.]

13.12.1.7 Employment of Prospective Student-Athletes/No Free or Reduced Admission Privileges.

[13.12.1.7.1 through 13.12.1.7.2 unchanged.]

13.12.1.7.3 Concession Arrangement.

[13.12.1.7.3.1 unchanged.]

13.12.1.7.3.2 Enrolled Student-Athlete. A student-athlete, at the student-athlete’s own expense, may not operate a concession to sell items related to or associated with an institution’s camp to campers or others in attendance because such an arrangement would be considered an extra benefit. However, the institution may employ the student-athlete at a reasonable rate to perform such services for the camp. [R]
[13.12.1.7.4 unchanged.]

13.12.2 Employment at Camp or Clinic.

13.12.2.1 Student-Athletes. A student-athlete may be employed in any sports camp or clinic, provided compensation is provided pursuant to the criteria of Bylaw 12.4.1. A student-athlete who only lectures or demonstrates at a camp/clinic may not receive compensation for an appearance at the camp/clinic.

13.12.2.1.1 Self-Employment. A student-athlete with remaining eligibility is not permitted to conduct a camp or clinic. [R]
[13.12.2.2 through 13.12.2.3 renumbered as 13.12.2.1 through 13.12.2.2, unchanged.]
[13.12.3 through 13.12.4 unchanged.]

13.15 Precollege Expenses.

13.15.1 Prohibited Expenses. An institution or a representative of its athletics interests shall not offer, provide or arrange financial assistance, directly or indirectly, to pay (in whole or in part) the costs of the prospective student-athlete’s educational or other expenses for any period prior to the prospective student-athlete’s enrollment or so the prospective student-athlete can obtain a postgraduate education other than expressly permitted by NCAA regulations. [R]
[13.15.1.1 through 13.15.1.11 unchanged.]
[13.15.2 unchanged.]
[13.16 through 13.18 unchanged.]

E. Bylaws: Amend 18.7.2, as follows:

18.7.2 Postseason Bowl Games. The conditions and requirements that must be met in order for an institution to participate in a postseason bowl game are set forth in the NCAA postseason football handbook.

18.7.2.1 Contest Status. A contest shall serve the purpose of providing a national contest between deserving teams. A “deserving team” shall be defined as one that has won a number of games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents that is equal to or greater than the number of its overall losses. Tie games do not count in determining a team’s won-lost record. Further, if forfeiture of a regular-season football victory is required by the Committee on Infractions or a conference, or is self-imposed by an institution as a result of a violation of NCAA rules, neither of the competing institutions may count that contest in satisfying the definition of a “deserving team.”

18.7.2.1.1 Exception — Football Championship Subdivision Opponent. Each year, a Football Bowl Subdivision institution may count one victory against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent toward meeting the definition of a “deserving team,” provided the opponent has averaged 90 percent of the permissible maximum number of at least 56.7 grants-in-aid per year in football during a rolling two-year period.

[18.7.2.1.2 through 18.7.2.1.3 unchanged.]
[18.7.2.2 through 18.7.2.3 unchanged.]

F. Bylaws: Amend 20, as follows:

20 Division Membership

[20.01 through 20.02 unchanged.]

20.1 Eligibility for Membership.

[20.1.1 unchanged.]

20.1.2 Athletics Consortiums. The Strategic Vision and Planning Committee, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, may approve an athletics consortium involving a member institution and neighboring member or nonmember institutions (but not more than one nonmember institution) to permit the

student-athletes of the combined institutions to compete on the member institution’s intercollegiate athletics teams, provided the student-athletes satisfy the eligibility requirements of the member institution and the NCAA.

[20.1.2.1 through 20.1.2.4 unchanged.]

20.1.2.5 Financial Assistance to Student-Athletes. Within a consortium:

(a) Each institution shall be responsible for the financial assistance awarded to its student-athletes. The financial arrangement between or among the institutions for the exchange of funds to cover the academic costs of student-athletes who take part in the exchange program shall apply to student-athletes in the same manner as it applies to those students not participating in the intercollegiate athletics program; and

(b) One institution may not provide a scholarship or any other form of financial aid to a student-athlete enrolled in another institution or transmit a scholarship or grant-in-aid to another institution to be used by one or more of its student-athletes.; and

(c) Financial aid limitations as set forth in Bylaw 15 shall be applicable to the consortium as one entity and shall include all countable student-athletes, regardless of the institution in which they are enrolled.

[20.1.2.6 through 20.1.2.11 unchanged.]

20.2 Active Membership.

[20.2.1 through 20.2.3 unchanged.]

20.2.4 Conditions and Obligations of Membership.

[20.2.4.1 through 20.2.4.29 unchanged.]

20.2.4.30 Use of a Student-Athlete’s Name or Likeness.

20.2.4.30.1 Contracts and Commercial Agreements. For agreements that may involve the use of a student-athlete’s name or likeness, an institution shall include language in all licensing, marketing, sponsorship, advertising, broadcast and other commercial agreements that outlines the commercial entity’s obligation to comply with relevant NCAA legislation, interpretations and policies on the use of a student-athlete’s name or likeness.

20.2.4.30.2 Written Policies. An institution shall maintain written policies for its licensing, marketing, sponsorship, advertising, broadcast and other commercial agreements that may involve the use of a student-athlete’s name or likeness. Such policies shall be made available for examination on request by an NCAA staff member or an authorized representative of the NCAA.

[20.2.4.31 through 20.2.4.32 renumbered as 20.2.4.30 through 20.2.4.31, unchanged.]
[20.2.5 through 20.2.6 unchanged.]

20.3 Member Conference.

[20.3.1 through 20.3.3 unchanged.]

20.3.4 Conditions and Obligations of Membership.

[20.3.4.1 through 20.3.4.8 unchanged.]

20.3.4.9 Use of a Student-Athlete’s Name or Likeness.

20.3.4.9.1 Contracts and Commercial Agreements. For agreements that may involve the use of a student-athlete’s name or likeness, a conference shall include language in all licensing, marketing, sponsorship, advertising, broadcast and other commercial agreements that outlines the commercial entity’s obligation to comply with relevant NCAA legislation, interpretations and policies on the use of a student-athlete’s name or likeness.

20.3.4.9.2 Written Policies. A conference shall maintain written policies for its licensing, marketing, sponsorship, advertising, broadcast and other commercial agreements that may involve the use of a student-athlete’s name or likeness. Such policies shall be made available for examination on request by an NCAA staff member or an authorized representative of the NCAA.

[20.3.4.10 through 20.3.4.11 renumbered as 20.3.4.9 through 20.3.4.10, unchanged.]
[20.3.5 through 20.3.6 unchanged.]
[20.4 through 20.8 unchanged.]

20.9 Division I Membership.

20.9.1 Commitments to the Division I Collegiate Model. In addition to the purposes and fundamental policy of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, as set forth in the NCAA constitution, members of Division I support the following commitments in the belief that these commitments assist in defining the nature and purposes of the division. These commitments are not binding on member institutions, but serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions and conferences.

20.9.1.1 The Commitment to Value-Based Legislation. Bylaws proposed and enacted by member institutions governing the conduct of intercollegiate athletics shall be designed to foster competition in amateur intercollegiate athletics, promote the Association’s enduring values and advance the Collegiate Model as set forth in the NCAA constitution. In some instances, a careful balancing of these values may be necessary to help achieve the purposes of the Association.

20.9.1.2 The Commitment to Amateurism the Collegiate Model. Member institutions shall conduct their athletics programs for students who choose to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a part of their educational experience and in accordance with NCAA bylaws, thus maintaining a line of demarcation between student-athletes who participate in the Collegiate Model and athletes competing in the professional model.

20.9.1.3 The Commitment to Fair Competition. Bylaws shall be designed to promote the opportunity for institutions and eligible student-athletes to engage in fair competition. This commitment requires that all member institutions compete within the framework of the Collegiate Model of athletics in which athletics competition is an integral part of the student-athlete’s effort to acquire a degree in higher education. The

commitment to fair competition acknowledges that variability will exist among members, including facilities, geographic locations and resources, and that such variability should not be justification for future legislation. Areas affecting fair competition include, but are not limited to, personnel, eligibility and amateurism, recruiting, financial aid, the length of playing and practice seasons, and the number of institutional competitions per sport.

[20.9.1.3 through 20.9.1.9 unchanged.]
[20.9.2 unchanged.]

20.9.3 Financial Aid Requirements.

20.9.3.1 Maximum Limitations. A member of Division I shall not make an award of financial aid (for which the recipient’s athletics ability is considered in any degree) in excess of the number permitted by the provisions of the bylaws governing Division I financial aid awards limitations (see Bylaw 15.5).

20.9.3.21 Minimum Awards. A member of Division I that is not a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (for FBS financial aid requirements, see Bylaw 20.9.9.4) shall provide institutional financial assistance that equals one of the following:

(a) A minimum of 50 percent of the maximum allowable grants (based on the applicable limits in 2024- 25) in 14 sports, at least seven of which must be women’s sports. If an institution uses indoor track and field, outdoor track and field and cross country to meet the financial aid criterion, it must award the equivalent of at least 80 percent of the full grants for men and 80 percent of the full grants for women in those sports. If the institution counts two of those three sports to meet the financial aid criterion, it must award the equivalent of at least 70 percent of the full grants for men and 70 percent of the full grants for women. If the institution counts indoor and outdoor track and field as one sport, it must award the equivalent of at least 50 percent of the full grants for men and 50 percent of the full grants for women;

[20.9.3.2-(b) through 20.9.3.2-(c) renumbered as 20.9.3.1-(a) through 20.9.3.1-(b), unchanged.]

(d) A minimum of one-half of the required grants or aggregate expenditures cited in (a), (b) or (c) above, for institutions that depend on exceptional amounts of federal assistance to meet students’ financial needs. This provision shall be applicable to an institution in a given year if the average per-student allotment of Pell Grant dollars for undergraduates reported to the U.S. Department of Education the previous September is more than one standard deviation above the mean for all reporting Division I member institutions that year. If an institution does not qualify under this provision after having been able to do so the previous year, the institution may continue to use this alternative for one year and shall not be required to meet the provisions of (a), (b) or (c) above until the following year. This provision shall be applicable only to institutions that were members of Division I on September 1, 1990.

20.9.3.21.1 Aid Counted Toward Minimum Requirements. All institutional financial aid (including any exempted aid) awarded by the member institution to a counter student-athlete (per Bylaw 15.5.1) shall be used to meet the appropriate minimum.

20.9.3. 21.2 Student-Athlete Who Has Exhausted Eligibility or Used Medical Exemption. Countable financial Financial aid awarded to a student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility in a sport during a previous academic year and countable aid provided to a medically exempt student-athlete per Bylaw 15.5.1.3 may be used to meet the appropriate minimum.

[20.9.3.2.3 renumbered as 20.9.3.1.3, unchanged.]

20.9.3.2.4 Multisport Student-Athlete. Financial aid awarded to multisport student-athletes shall be counted against the minimum requirements pursuant to Bylaw 15.5.9.

[20.9.3.2.5 through 20.9.3.2.7 renumbered as 20.9.3.1.4 through 20.9.3.1.6, unchanged.]

20.9.3. 21.87 On-Campus Employment. On-campus employment earnings during the academic year outside the athletics department for which athletics interests of the institution do not intercede on behalf of the student-athlete are not countable for team equivalency purposes per Bylaw 15.02.5.2-(a) but may be counted in reaching the appropriate minimum.

[20.9.3.2.9 through 20.9.3.2.10 renumbered as 20.9.3.1.8 through 20.9.3.1.9, unchanged.]
[20.9.4 through 20.9.8 unchanged.]

20.9.9 Football Bowl Subdivision Requirements. An institution classified in the Football Bowl Subdivision shall meet the additional requirements listed below.

[20.9.9.1 unchanged.]

20.9.9.2 Football Scheduling Requirements. The institution shall schedule and play at least 60 percent of its football games against members of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The institution shall schedule and play at least five regular-season home games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. For purposes of satisfying the home-games requirement, a contest shall be considered a home contest if it is played in the stadium in which an institution conducts at least 50 percent of its home contests. In addition, an institution may use one home contest against a Football Bowl Subdivision member conducted at a neutral site to satisfy the home-games requirement.

20.9.9.2.1 Exception — Football Championship Subdivision Opponent. Each year, a Football Bowl Subdivision institution may count one contest against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent to satisfy the football-scheduling requirement specified in Bylaw 20.9.9.2, provided the Football Championship Subdivision opponent has averaged 90 percent of the permissible maximum number of at least 56.7 grants-in-aid per year in football over a rolling two-year period.

[20.9.9.2.2 through 20.9.9.2.4 unchanged.]

20.9.9.3 Financial Aid Requirements. The institution shall satisfy the following financial aid requirements:

(a) Award an average of at least 90 percent of the permissible maximum number of overall grants-in-aid (see Bylaw 15.5 based on the applicable limits in 2024-25) per year during a rolling two-year period in all sports used to meet the sports sponsorship requirement (Bylaw 20.9.9.1); and

(b) Annually award a minimum of 210 athletics grants-in-aids and expend at least $6 million on grants-in-aid to student-athletes in athletics programs.

20.9.9.3.1 Type of Financial Aid Counted. The institution shall count only athletically related financial aid (as defined in Bylaw 15.02.5.1) awarded to counters (as defined in Bylaw 15.02.3) student-athletes.

[20.9.9.3.2 unchanged.]
[20.9.9.4 through 20.9.9.5 unchanged.]
[20.9.10 unchanged.]

G. Bylaws: Amend 21, as follows:

21 Governance Structure and Committees

[21.02 through 21.1 unchanged.]

21.2 Division I Council.

[21.2.1 through 21.2.4 unchanged.]

21.2.4 Weighted Voting. Voting on matters other than football-specific issues or football-specific legislation shall be weighted as follows:

[21.2.4-(a) through 21.2.4-(e) unchanged.]

21.2.4.1 Voting on Football Bowl Subdivision Issues and Legislation. Voting on Football Bowl Subdivision-specific issues and Football Bowl Subdivision-specific legislation other than legislation related to scholarship limitations shall be weighted as follows:

[21.2.4.1-(a) through 21.2.4.1-(b) unchanged.]

21.2.4.1.1 Voting on Scholarship Limitations. Voting on legislation related to football scholarship limitations shall not be weighted.

[21.2.5 through 21.2.7 unchanged.]

21.10 Division I Committees.

21.10.6 Committees Reporting to the Council. The total composition of the standing committees of the Council (Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee, Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee, Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee, Legislative Committee, Sports Oversight Committee and Strategic Vision and Planning Committee) shall consist of approximately 125 members, as set forth in the Council’s policies and procedures. The composition of other committees that report to the Council is set forth below.

[21.10.6.1 through 21.10.6.5 unchanged.]

21.10.6.6 Legislative Committee. The composition, duties and substructure of the Legislative Committee are set forth in the policies and procedures of the Council and the committee’s policies and procedures.

[21.10.6.6.1 through 21.10.6.6.3 unchanged.]

21.10.6.6.4 Preenrollment Amateurism Athletics Eligibility Certification Committee. The Preenrollment Amateurism Athletics Eligibility Certification Committee shall report to the Legislative Committee.

21.10.6.6.4.1 Composition. The committee shall consist of seven members, including four members from the conferences named in Bylaw 9.2.2.1.1 and one member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

21.10.6.6.4.2 Duties. The committee shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining preenrollment amateurism athletics eligibility certification policies and procedures, subject to the review of the Legislative Committee. Additionally, the committee shall be responsible for making a determination of facts related to the certification of a prospective student-athlete’s amateur athletics eligibility status on appeal of an institution related to a final determination of facts by the staff of the NCAA Eligibility Center. The student-athlete member of the committee shall not participate in such an appeal. Additional policies and procedures governing such an appeal shall be approved by the Legislative Committee.

21.10.6.6.4.3 Authority. A decision made by the Preenrollment Amateurism Athletics Eligibility Certification Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive and shall not be subject to further review by any other authority.

[Remainder of 21 unchanged.]

H. Bylaws: Amend 31, as follows:

31 Executive Regulations

[31.01 through 31.1 unchanged.]

31.2 Eligibility for Championships.

[31.2.1 unchanged.]

31.2.2 Individual Eligibility. All student-athletes, regardless of division, must meet the eligibility standards established for NCAA championships competition. The general and academic eligibility requirements are set forth in detail in Bylaws 12 and 14, in which there also is reference to other legislation regarding eligibility of the individual student-athlete. Other specific requirements for eligibility for NCAA championships (e.g., authority of the Committee on Academics, Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, amateur athletics eligibility status certification and ineligibility for use of banned drugs) are set forth in Bylaws 10.3, 10.4 and 18.4.1.

[31.2.2.1 through 31.2.2.4 unchanged.]
[Remainder of 31 unchanged.]

Source:NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Effective Date:July 1, 2025

Proposal Category:Amendment

Topical Area:Various Bylaws

Rationale:This proposal would implement the necessary changes to various bylaws to effectuate the application of the settlement of the House, Hubbard and Carter cases.