13.2.1 General Regulation. An institution's staff member or any representative of its athletics interests shall not be involved, directly or indirectly, in making arrangements for or giving or offering to give any financial aid or other benefits to a prospective student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends, other than expressly permitted by NCAA regulations. Receipt of a benefit by a prospective student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is determined that the same benefit is generally available to the institution's prospective students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body (e.g., international students, minority students) determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability. [R] (Revised: 10/28/97, 11/1/00, 3/24/05)

13.2.1.1 Specific Prohibitions. Specifically prohibited financial aid, benefits and arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following: [R](Revised: 10/28/97, 11/1/00, 4/23/08)

(a) An employment arrangement for a prospective student-athlete's relatives;
(b) Gift of clothing or equipment;
(c) Co-signing of loans;
(d) Providing loans to a prospective student-athlete's relatives or friends;
(e) Cash or like items;
(f) Any tangible items, including merchandise;
(g) Free or reduced-cost services, rentals or purchases of any type;
(h) Free or reduced-cost housing;
(i) Use of an institution's athletics equipment (e.g., for a high school all-star game);
(j) Sponsorship of or arrangement for an awards banquet for high school, preparatory school or two-year-college athletes by an institution, representatives of its athletics interests or its alumni groups or booster clubs; and
(k) Expenses for academic services (e.g., tutoring, test preparation) to assist in the completion of initial-eligibility or transfer-eligibility requirements or improvement of the prospective student-athlete's academic profile in conjunction with a waiver request.

14.5.5.4 Eligibility for Institutional Athletically Related Financial Aid. A transfer student from a four year institution may receive institutional athletically related financial aid during his or her first academic year at the certifying institution only if he or she would have been academically eligible to compete during the next regular academic term had the student-athlete remained at the previous institution. A student-athlete who transfers from a four-year institution to a two-year institution and then to the certifying institution shall complete at least one regular academic term of enrollment at the two-year institution to be eligible for institutional athletically related financial aid at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/07, Revised: 1/8/07 effective 8/1/07)

14.5.5.4.1 Exceptions. A four-year transfer student-athlete may receive institutional athletically related financial aid during his or her first academic year at the certifying institution, provided: (Adopted: 9/18/07) (a) The student-athlete transferred from a four-year institution that did not sponsor the student-athlete’s sport on the intercollegiate level while he or she was in attendance and the student did not previously transfer from any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in the sport; or (b) The student-athlete has not participated in intercollegiate competition and has not engaged in other countable athletically related activities in the sport beyond a 14-consecutive-day period.

15.01.2 Improper Financial Aid. Any student-athlete who receives financial aid other than that permitted by the Association shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics.

15.01.5 Eligibility of Student-Athletes for Institutional Financial Aid. A student-athlete must meet applicable NCAA (see Bylaw 14), conference and institutional regulations to be eligible for institutional financial aid. If these regulations are met, the student-athlete may be awarded institutional financial aid during any term in which a student-athlete is in regular attendance [was enrolled initially in a minimum full-time program of studies as defined by the certifying institution during that term (see Bylaw 14.2.2.1.3 for final term exception and Bylaw 15.2.8 for summer-term exception)] under the following circumstances: (Revised: 6/8/99, 1/9/06 effective 8/1/07, 10/27/11)
(a) The student-athlete is an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under Bylaw 12.8 (five-year rule); or (b) The student-athlete is a graduate student eligible under Bylaw 14.6.
[Note: See Bylaw 13.1.1.3 for the financial aid implications in the prohibition against contacting studentathletes of another four-year collegiate institution without permission of that institution’s athletics director. See Bylaw 14.5.5.4 for financial aid implications related to the academic eligibility of four-year college transfers.]

15.01.6 Maximum Institutional Financial Aid to Individual. An institution shall not award financial aid to a student-athlete that exceeds the cost of attendance that normally is incurred by students enrolled in a comparable program at that institution (see Bylaw 15.1). (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04)

15.02.2 Cost of Attendance. The “cost of attendance” is an amount calculated by an institutional financial aid office, using federal regulations, that includes the total cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution. (Adopted: 1/11/94)

15.02.2.1 Calculation of Cost of Attendance. An institution must calculate the cost of attendance for student-athletes in accordance with the cost-of-attendance policies and procedures that are used for students in general. Accordingly, if an institution’s policy allows for students’ direct and indirect costs (e.g., tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, child care, cost related to a disability and miscellaneous 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. (Adopted: 1/11/94)

15.02.4 Financial Aid. “Financial aid” is funds provided to student-athletes from various sources to pay or assist in paying their cost of education at the institution. As used in NCAA legislation, “financial aid” includes all institutional financial aid and other permissible financial aid as set forth below. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4.) (Revised: 5/26/09)

15.02.4.2 Institutional Financial Aid. The following sources of financial aid are considered to be institutional financial aid: (Revised: 1/11/94 effective 8/1/94, 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 4/26/01 effective 8/1/01, 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)
(a) All funds administered by the institution, which include but are not limited to the following:
(1) Scholarships;
(2) Grants;
(3) Tuition waivers;
(4) Employee dependent tuition benefits, unless the parent or the legal guardian of a student-athlete has been employed as a full-time faculty/staff member for a minimum of five years; and (5) Loans.
(b) Aid from government or private sources for which the institution is responsible for selecting the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient.

15.01.2.5 Full Grant-in-Aid. A full grant-in-aid is financial aid that consists of tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses related to attendance at the institution up to the cost of attendance established pursuant to Bylaws 15.02.2 and 15.02.2.1. (Revised: 8/7/14, 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)

15.01.7 Period of Award. The period of award begins when the student-athlete receives any benefits as a part of the student’s grant-in-aid on the first day of classes for a particular academic term, or the first day of practice, whichever is earlier, until the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement. An athletics grant-in-aid shall not be awarded in excess of the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility. (Revised: 10/27/11)

15.02.8 Recruited Student-Athlete. For purposes of Bylaw 15, a recruited student-athlete is a student athlete who, as a prospective student-athlete: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11)
(a) Was provided an official visit to the institution’s campus;
(b) Had an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with a member of the institution’s coaching staff(including a coach’s arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete’s parents, relatives or legal guardians); or
(c) Was issued a National Letter of Intent or a written offer of athletically related financial aid by theinstitution for a regular academic term.

15.1 Maximum Limit on Financial Aid—Individual.
A student-athlete shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics if he or she receives financial aid that exceeds the value of the cost of attendance as defined in Bylaw 15.02.2. A student-athlete may receive institutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaw 15.02.4.2) and any other financial aid up to the value of his or her cost of attendance. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 5/26/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 8/7/14, 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)

15.2.5 Government Grants. Government grants for educational purposes shall be included when determining the permissible amount of the cost of attendance for a student-athlete, except for those listed in Byla15.2.5.1 Exempted Government Grants. The following government grants for educational purposes shall not be included when determining the permissible amount of the cost of attendance of a student-athlete: (Adopted: 1/11/89, 1/9/96 effective 8/1/96, 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 4/26/01, Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 1/10/05, 4/28/05, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 4/26/17 effective 8/1/17)

(a) AmeriCorps Program. Benefits received by student-athletes under the AmeriCorps Program;
(b) Disabled Veterans. State government awards to disabled veterans;
(c) Military Reserve Training Programs. Payments to student-athletes for participation in military reserve training programs;
(d) Montgomery G.I. Bill. Benefits received by student-athletes under the Montgomery Bill -- Active Duty and the Montgomery G.I. Bill -- Selected Reserve;
(e) Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Benefits received under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, including matching payments made by the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program;
(f) Special U.S. Government Entitlement Programs. Payments by the U.S. government under the terms of the Dependents Education Assistance Program (DEAP), Social Security Insurance Program [including the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)] or Non-Service-Connected Veteran's Death Pension Program;
(g) U.S. Military Annuitant Pay. United States Military Annuitant Pay or other family member service-related death benefits received by student-athletes from the United States Military.
(h) U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program. Benefits received by student-athletes under the U.S. Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program (NUPOC);
(i) Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). Benefits received by student-athletes under the VEAP;
(j) Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans Program. Benefits received by student-athletes under the Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans Program; or
(k) Welfare Benefits. Welfare benefits received from a state or federal government 15.2.5.1. (Revised: 1/11/89, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 4/21/05)

15.2.6.2 No Relationship to Athletics Ability. A student-athlete may receive financial aid awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability.

15.2.6.3 Financial Aid From an Established and Continuing Program. A student-athlete may receive financial aid through an established and continuing program to aid students, provided: (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, Revised: 4/23/14)
(a) The recipient’s choice of institutions is not restricted by the donor of the aid;
(b) There is no direct connection between the donor and the student-athlete’s institution; and
(c) The financial aid is not provided by an outside sports team or organization that conducts a competitive sports program to an individual who is or has been a member of that team or organization.

15.2.6.4 Educational Expenses—U.S. Olympic Committee or U.S. National Governing Body. A student-athlete may receive educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S. national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country). The amount of the financial assistance shall be subject to the following limitations: (Adopted: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, Revised: 10/28/97 effective 8/1/98, 4/22/98, 11/1/00)
(a) Disbursement of the aid shall be through the member institution for the recipient’s educational expenses while attending that institution;
(b) The recipient’s choice of institutions shall not be restricted by the U.S. Olympic Committee or a U.S.
national governing body (or, for international student-athletes, expenses awarded by the equivalent organization of a foreign country);
(c) The value of the award alone or in combination with other aid per Bylaw 15.1.2 shall not exceed the value of 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: (Revised: 10/31/02 effective 8/1/03, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04)
(a) The student-athlete’s compensation does not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she has obtained because of athletics ability;
(b) The student-athlete is compensated only for work actually performed; and
(c) The student-athlete is compensated at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services (see Bylaw 12.4).
15.2.8 Summer Financial Aid. Summer financial aid may be awarded only to attend the awarding institution’s summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program, provided the following conditions are met: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/10/92)
(a) The student has been in residence a minimum of one term during the regular academic year;
(b) The student is attending a summer term, summer school or summer-orientation program and financial aid is administered pursuant to Bylaw 15.2.8.1.2, 15.2.8.1.3 or 15.2.8.1.4; or
(c) The student is a two-year or a four-year college transfer student and is receiving aid to attend the awarding institution’s summer-orientation program.

15.2.8.1 General Stipulations. A student-athlete who is eligible for institutional financial aid during the summer is not required to be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies. However, the student-athlete may not receive financial aid that exceeds the cost of attendance in that summer term. A student-athlete may receive institutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaws 15.02.4.1 and 15.02.4.2) and any other financial aid up to the value of his or her cost of attendance. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 5/26/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)

15.2.8.1.1 Exception for Pell Grant. A student-athlete who receives a Pell Grant may receive financial aid equivalent to the limitation set forth in Bylaw 15.2.8.1 or the value of a full grant-in-aid plus the Pell Grant, whichever is greater. (Adopted: 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04)

15.2.8.1.2 Enrolled Student-Athletes. After initial full-time enrollment during a regular academic year, a student-athlete shall not receive athletically related financial aid to attend the certifying institution’s summer term or summer school unless the student-athlete received such athletically related aid from the certifying institution during the student-athlete’s previous academic year at that institution. Further, such aid may be awarded only in proportion to the amount of athletically related financial aid received by the student-athlete during the student-athlete’s previous academic year at the certifying institution. The proportionality restriction shall not apply to a student-athlete who has exhausted his or her eligibility and is enrolled in course work acceptable toward his or her degree requirements. (Adopted: 1/10/90 effective 8/1/90, Revised: 1/10/91, 1/10/92, 11/12/97, 4/26/12)

15.2.8.1.3 Prior to Initial, Full-Time Collegiate Enrollment—Institutional Non-athletics Aid. The following conditions apply to the awarding of institutional non-athletics financial aid to a prospective student-athlete to attend an institution in the summer prior to the prospective student-athlete’s initial, full-time collegiate enrollment: [D] (Adopted: 1/10/90, Revised: 1/10/92, 4/26/01, 3/10/04, 4/29/04, 1/10/05 effective 5/1/05, 3/14/05, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/14/12, 1/18/14 effective 8/1/14)
(a) The recipient shall be admitted to the awarding member institution in accordance with regular, published entrance requirements;
(b) The recipient, if recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8), is subject to NCAA transfer provisions pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2-(h); and
(c) During the summer term or orientation period, the recipient shall not engage in any countable athletically
related activities except for those activities specifically permitted in Bylaws 13 and 17 (see Bylaws 13.11.3.9, 17.1.1 and 17.1.1.1).

15.2.8.1.4 Prior to Initial Full-Time Enrollment at the Certifying Institution -- Athletics Aid. The following conditions apply to the awarding of athletically related financial aid to a prospective student-athlete (including a prospective student-athlete not certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center as a qualifier) to attend an institution in the summer prior to the prospective student's initial, full-time enrollment at the certifying institution (see also Bylaw 13.02.13.1): (Adopted: 4/27/00 effective 8/1/00, Revised: 9/6/00, 4/26/01, 6/21/01, 3/10/04, 4/29/04, 1/10/05 effective 5/1/05, 3/14/05, 5/9/07, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 1/14/12, 4/26/17)
(a) The recipient shall be admitted to the awarding member institution in accordance with regular, published entrance requirements;
(b) The recipient is enrolled in a minimum of three hours of academic course work (other than physical education activity courses) that is acceptable degree credit toward any of the institution's degree programs. Remedial, tutorial and noncredit courses may be used to satisfy the minimum three-hour requirement, provided the course or courses are considered by the institution to be prerequisites for specific courses acceptable for any degree program and are given the same academic weight as other courses offered by the institution;
(c) The recipient, if recruited (per Bylaw 15.02.8), is subject to NCAA transfer provisions pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2-(h), unless admission to the institution as a full-time student is denied;
(d) During the summer term or orientation period, the recipient shall not engage in any countable athletically related activities except for those activities specifically permitted in Bylaws 13 and 17; and
(e) Summer coursework is not used for the purpose of completing initial-eligibility or continuing-eligibility (transfer eligibility, progress-toward-degree) requirements. However, the hours earned during the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution may be used to satisfy the applicable progress-toward-degree requirements in following years (see Bylaw 14.4.3).

15.3.1 Eligibility of Student-Athletes for Financial Aid. Institutional financial aid may be awarded for any term during which a student-athlete is in regular attendance as an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under Bylaw 12.8, or as a graduate eligible under Bylaw 14.6. (Revised: 10/27/11, 8/7/14)

15.3.2 Terms of Institutional Financial Aid Award.

15.3.2.1 Physical Condition of Student-Athlete. Financial aid awarded to a prospective student-athlete may not be conditioned on the recipient reporting in satisfactory physical condition. If a student-athlete has been accepted for admission and awarded financial aid, the institution shall be committed for the term of the original award, even if the student-athlete’s physical condition prevents him or her from participating in intercollegiate athletics. (Revised: 8/7/14)

15.3.2.2 Written Statement Requirement. The institutional agency making a financial aid award for a regular academic year or multiple regular academic years shall give the recipient a written statement of the amount, duration, conditions and terms of the award. The chair of the regular committee or other agency for the awarding of financial aid to students generally, or the chair’s official designee, shall sign or electronically authorize (e.g., electronic signature) the written statement. The signature of the athletics
director, attesting to the committee’s award, does not satisfy this requirement. (Revised: 3/10/04, 7/26/12, 10/9/12, 8/7/14)

15.3.2.3 Hearing Opportunity. The institution’s regular financial aid authority shall notify the student athlete in writing of the opportunity for a hearing when institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability is to be reduced or canceled during the period of the award, or is reduced or not renewed for the following academic year or multiple academic years within the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility. The institution shall have established reasonable procedures for promptly hearing such a request and shall not delegate the responsibility for conducting the hearing to the university’s athletics department or its faculty athletics committee. The written notification of the opportunity for a hearing shall include a copy of the institution’s established policies and procedures for conducting the required hearing, including the deadline by which a student-athlete must request such a hearing. (Revised: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06, 4/3/07, 4/23/08, 8/7/14)

15.3.2.3.1 Reduction of a Multiyear Award. A reduction of a multiyear award shall occur if the renewal period is for fewer years than the original agreement, unless the renewal includes the remaining years of the student-athlete’s eligibility in all sports (e.g., five-year period of eligibility) or if the average amount of aid provided per year in the renewal is less than the average amount of aid provided per year in the original agreement, including any increases during the period of the original award. (Adopted: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12, Revised: 8/7/14)

15.3.3.1 Period of Award. If a student’s athletics ability is considered in any degree in awarding financial aid, such aid shall neither be awarded for a period less than one academic year nor for a period that would exceed the student’s five-year period of eligibility (see Bylaws 12.8 and 15.01.5). One-year grants-in-aid shall be awarded (as set forth in the written statement per Bylaw 15.3.2.2) in equal amounts for each term of the academic year. (Revised: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12, 8/7/14)

15.3.3.1.1 One-Year Period. An institution may award athletically related financial aid to a student- athlete for a period of less than one academic year only under the following circumstances: (Adopted: 4/27/06 effective 8/1/06, Revised: 5/9/06, 4/24/08 effective 8/1/08, 5/19/09, 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, 8/7/14) (a) Midyear Enrollment. A student-athlete whose first full-time attendance at the certifying institution during a particular academic year occurs at midyear (e.g., the beginning of the second semester or second or third quarter of an academic year) may receive a financial aid award for the remainder of that academic year.
(b) Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete may receive athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year, provided the student is in the final semester or final two quarters of his or her degree program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements.
(c) Graduated During Previous Academic Year and Will Exhaust Eligibility During the Following Fall Term. A student-athlete who graduated during the previous academic year (including summer) and will exhaust his or her athletics eligibility during the following fall term may be awarded athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year.
(d) One-Time Exception. One time during a student-athlete’s enrollment at the certifying institution he or she may be awarded athletics aid for less than a full academic year, provided the student-athlete has been enrolled full time at the certifying institution for at least one regular academic term and has not previously received athletically related financial aid from the certifying institution.
(e) Eligibility Exhausted/Medical Non-counter. A student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility and is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.5) in the institution’s financial aid limit, or a student athlete who is exempt from counting (per Bylaw 15.5.1.2) due to an injury or illness may receive athletically related financial aid for less than one academic year. If an institution awards aid under this provision, the institutional financial aid agreement shall include specific non-athletically 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, he or she must be provided a hearing opportunity per Bylaw 15.3.2.3.

15.3.5 Reduction, Cancellation or Nonrenewal of Institutional Financial Aid.

15.3.5.1 Reduction, Cancellation or Nonrenewal Permitted. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability 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:
(Revised: 1/10/92, 1/11/94, 1/10/95, 1/9/96, 12/13/05, 9/11/07, 8/7/14, 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)
(a) Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition;
(b) Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement
(see Bylaw 15.3.5.1.2);
(c) Engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty, as determined by the institution’s regular student disciplinary authority;
(d) Voluntarily (on his or her own initiative) withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons; however, the recipient’s financial aid may not be awarded to another student-athlete in the academic term in which the aid was reduced or canceled. A student-athlete’s request for written permission to contact another four-year collegiate institution regarding a possible transfer does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal; or
(e) Violates a non-athletically related condition outlined in the financial aid agreement or violates a documented institutional rule or policy (e.g., academics policies or standards, athletics department or team rules or policies).

15.3.5.1.1 Timing of Reduction or Cancellation. Any reduction or cancellation of aid during the period of the award may occur only after the student-athlete has been provided an opportunity for a hearing per Bylaw 15.3.2.3. (Adopted: 5/15/07, Revised: 4/23/08, 8/7/14)

15.3.5.1.2 Fraudulent Misrepresentation. If a student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid on the basis of declaring intention to participate in a particular sport by signing a letter of intent, application or tender, action on the part of the grantee not to participate (either by not reporting for practice or after making only token appearances as determined by the institution) would constitute fraudulent misrepresentation of information on the grantee’s application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement. (Revised: 1/11/94, 8/7/14, 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)

15.3.5.1.3 Release of Obligation to Provide Athletically Related Financial Aid—One-Year Award. Before becoming a counter for an academic year pursuant to a one-year grant-in-aid, if a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid unrelated to athletics that is of equal or greater value than his or her signed award of athletically related financial aid, the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete may, on his or her initiative, release the institution of its obligation to provide the athletically related financial aid. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, Revised: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12, 8/7/14)

15.3.5.2 Reduction or Cancellation Not Permitted—During the Period of the Award. Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may not be reduced or canceled during the period of its award: (Adopted: 1/16/93, Revised: 1/11/94, 12/11/07, 1/14/08, 8/7/14, 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15) (a) On the basis of a student-athlete’s athletics ability, performance or contribution to a team’s success;
(b) Because of an injury, illness, or physical or mental medical condition (except as permitted pursuant to Bylaw 15.3.5.1); or
(c) For any other athletics reason.

15.3.5.2.1 Athletically Related Condition Prohibition. An institution may not set forth an athletically related condition (e.g., financial aid contingent upon specified performance or playing a specific position) that would permit the institution to reduce or cancel the student-athlete’s financial aid during the period of the award if the conditions are not satisfied. (Adopted: 1/16/93, Revised: 1/11/94, 8/7/14)

15.3.5.2.2 Decrease Not Permitted. An institution may not decrease a prospective student-athlete’s or a student-athlete’s financial aid from the time the prospective student-athlete or student-athlete signs the financial aid award letter until the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement, except under the conditions set forth in Bylaw 15.3.5.1. (Adopted: 1/11/94, Revised: 4/2/03 effective 8/1/03, 8/7/14)

15.3.5.3 Reduction or Nonrenewal Not Permitted—After the Period of the Award. If a student athlete receives athletically related financial aid in the academic year of his or her initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution, the following factors shall not be considered in the reduction or nonrenewal of such aid for the following academic year or years of the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility: (Adopted: 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)

(a) A student-athlete’s athletics ability, performance or contribution to a team’s success (e.g., financial aid contingent upon specified performance or playing a specific position); (b) An injury, illness, or physical or mental medical condition; or (c) Any other athletics reason.

15.3.6 Increase Permitted. Institutional financial aid may be increased for any reason at any time. (Adopted:1/11/94, Revised: 2/26/03, 4/23/08, 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12, 8/7/14,1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)

15.3.7 Renewals and Nonrenewals

15.3.7.1 Institutional Obligation. The renewal of institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability shall be made on or before July 1 prior to the academic year in which it is to be effective. The institution shall promptly notify in writing each student-athlete who received an award the previous academic year and who has eligibility remaining in the sport in which financial aid was awarded the previous academic year (under Bylaw 12.8) whether the grant has been renewed or not renewed for the ensuing academic year or multiple academic years within the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility. Notification of financial aid renewals and non-renewals must come from the institution’s regular financial aid authority and not from the institution’s athletics department. (Revised: 1/10/95, 8/7/14, 1/17/15 effective 8/1/15)

15.3.7.2 Reconsideration of Nonrenewal. It is permissible for an institution that has notified a student- athlete that he or she will not be provided institutional financial aid for the next academic year subsequently to award financial aid to that student-athlete. (Revised: 8/7/14)