What happens if I change my mind about attending the institution with which I signed, and I want to attend another National Letter of Intent institution instead?
If you do not attend the institution with which you signed, or if you do not fulfill the terms of the National Letter of Intent, the basic penalty is that you lose one year of eligibility in all sports and must serve one year in residence at your next National Letter of Intent institution.
What is a year in residence?
As defined by the NCAA, a year in residence is the two semesters or three quarters a student is required to sit out from competition. The National Letter of Intent program requires students who do not attend the institution with which they signed, or who attend that school for less than one academic year, to serve one year in residence at the next NLI member institution before being able to represent the second school in intercollegiate athletics competition.
Can the National Letter of Intent basic penalty be eliminated or reduced?
Yes. The basic penalty may be eliminated by asking for and receiving a National Letter of Intent complete release. If the institution does not grant a complete release from the NLI, you may appeal for release to the NLI Steering Committee, which may grant a level of relief if extenuating circumstances warrant.
What are extenuating circumstances?
Extenuating circumstances must be presented in any appeal to the National Letter of Intent Steering Committee as grounds for a complete release. In general, the committee determines what constitutes extenuating on a case-by-case basis. However, prior examples include the illness of the student, illness or death of a parent, and financial hardship of the student’s family.
Is an institution required to grant a complete release if I ask for it?
No. Just as the National Letter of Intent is a voluntary agreement, granting a complete release is voluntary in nature. If an institution denies your request for a complete release, you may petition the National Letter of Intent Steering Committee for such a release. In order to appeal to the NLI Steering Committee, you must provide a copy of the NLI Release Request Form, signed by the director of athletics, indicating “No Release.” Once proper documentation has been submitted, the NLI Policy & Review Committee will consider your request.
Appeals to the NLI Policy & Review Committee should be sent to the NLI Program, PO Box 7132, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46207-7132.
If my request for a complete release is denied, is the institution obligated to provide me an opportunity for a hearing?
No. You are not entitled to a hearing under National Letter of Intent policy inasmuch as you are permitted to file an appeal when denied a complete release by the signing institution.
If I sign a National Letter of Intent in the early signing period and later get a complete release, can I sign another NLI in the spring signing period?
NLI policy states a prospective student-athlete is only permitted to sign one valid NLI in an academic year. Therefore, if you sign a NLI during the early period and get a complete release by the institution or one of the NLI committees before the spring signing period ends, you are not permitted to sign a second NLI in the spring. You must wait until the next academic year to sign another valid National Letter of Intent.
Is a complete release from the National Letter of Intent basic penalty the same as the One-Time Transfer Exception as set forth in NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10?
No. The NLI complete release and the NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception are two different policies. The fact that a student is eligible for the NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception does not mean a student-athlete has received a complete release pursuant to the National Letter of Intent program, nor does being granted the NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception eliminate the penalty provisions of the National Letter of Intent.
If you have any questions about NCAA transfer and eligibility policies, please contact NCAA Membership Services at (317) 917-6222.
If I do not satisfy my National Letter of Intent agreement, may I practice or receive athletics aid at another National Letter of Intent institution?
Yes. The National Letter of Intent basic penalty is the loss of one year of eligibility in all sports and a required one year in residence at the next National Letter of Intent institution. It does not include a prohibition against receiving athletics financial aid or practicing with a team.
If I fail to honor my NLI commitment, is it possible for another NLI institution to recruit me?
Yes, but only if you have received a complete release or had the NLI recruiting ban lifted by the institution with which you signed. The lifting of the NLI recruiting ban must be indicated on the NLI Release Request Form. If the NLI recruiting ban is lifted, it is not limited to certain institutions, but to all institutions seeking to recruit you. Note this NLI recruiting ban policy is different from the NCAA permission to contact requirements in NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3.
Is a National Letter of Intent binding if the coach of my sport leaves the institution?
Yes. The National Letter of Intent you signed with an institution is valid if the coach who recruited you leaves the institution with which you signed. When you sign a National Letter of Intent you sign with an institution and not with a coach or a specific team.
Do I sign a National Letter of Intent if I transfer to another four-year institution?
No. NCAA policy prohibits student-athletes transferring from one four-year institution to another four-year institution from signing a National Letter of Intent inasmuch as they are no longer prospective student-athletes.
