National Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete ("prospect") and a school subscribing to NLI services. The NLI is an agreement in which the prospect agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters), and the institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for the same duration. If a prospect does not fulfill his/her end of the NLI agreement, that prospect must serve one year in residence (full-time enrollment for two semesters) at the next NLI-member institution, and he/she loses one season of competition in all sports. More information can be found here.
Prospects Who May Sign a NLI:
· Prospects who will be attending a four-year institution for the first time as a full-time student;
· Junior college transfers who are graduating from a two-year college or have never previously signed a NLI;
· 4-2-4 transfer students who are graduating from a two-year college;
· (*in Football only) Midyear junior college transfers who graduate at midyear.
In order to sign an NLI, a high school or preparatory school prospect must first register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and complete the amateurism certification questionnaire.
In order to be valid, an NLI must be accompanied by a financial aid agreement from the issuing institution. This must be signed and returned with the NLI during the signing period.
The NLI binds the prospect to the institution, not to a particular coach. Thus, coaching changes do not release prospects from the obligations under the NLI.
After a prospect has signed an NLI, other institutions may not call, write, or have any further recruiting contact with that prospect and/or his/her parents.
Quick Reference Guide to the NLI
Prospects Who May Sign a NLI:
· Prospects who will be attending a four-year institution for the first time as a full-time student;
· Junior college transfers who are graduating from a two-year college or have never previously signed a NLI;
· 4-2-4 transfer students who are graduating from a two-year college;
· (*in Football only) Midyear junior college transfers who graduate at midyear.
In order to sign an NLI, a high school or preparatory school prospect must first register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and complete the amateurism certification questionnaire.
In order to be valid, an NLI must be accompanied by a financial aid agreement from the issuing institution. This must be signed and returned with the NLI during the signing period.
The NLI binds the prospect to the institution, not to a particular coach. Thus, coaching changes do not release prospects from the obligations under the NLI.
After a prospect has signed an NLI, other institutions may not call, write, or have any further recruiting contact with that prospect and/or his/her parents.
Quick Reference Guide to the NLI
