Middle Tennessee State University
Athletics Compliance – Rules Education
“NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT (NLI)”
National Letter of Intent
The National Letter of Intent referred to in this bylaw is the official document administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association and used
by subscribing member institutions to establish the commitment of a prospect to attend a MTSU.
Requirements for Offer of Athletically Related Financial Aid
The following requirements must be met before MTSU may provide a written offer of athletically related financial
aid (per Bylaw 15.3.2.3) to a prospect: (Adopted: 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07, Revised: 4/30/09 effective 8/1/10)
(a) A high school or preparatory school prospect must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center;
(b) A high school or preparatory school prospect must be placed on the MTSU institutional request list (IRL) with
the NCAA Eligibility Center; and
(c) A high school, preparatory school or transfer (if applicable) prospect must complete the
amateurism certification questionnaire administered by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Letter of Intent Restriction
MTSU may not participate in an institutional or conference athletics letter-of-intent program or issue an
institutional or conference financial aid agreement that involves a signing date that precedes the initial regular (as
opposed to early) signing date for the National Letter of Intent program in the same sport. However, MTSU may
permit a prospect to sign an MTSU or SUN BELT conference letter of intent during the National Letter of Intent
early signing period in the applicable sport. (Revised: 12/12/06, 4/26/07 effective 8/1/07)
Mailing of Financial Aid Offer
An MTSU or SUN BELT financial aid form may be included in the normal mailing of the National Letter of Intent,
but none of the forms enclosed in the mailing may be signed by the prospect prior to the initial signing date in
that sport in the National Letter of Intent program.
Written Offer of Aid Before Signing Date
Prior to August 1 of a prospect's senior year in high school, MTSU shall not provide a written offer of athletically
related financial aid or indicate in writing to the prospect that an athletically related grant-in-aid will be offered by
MTSU. On or after August 1 of a prospect's senior year in high school, MTSU may indicate in writing to a prospect
that an athletically related grant-in-aid will be offered by MTSU; however, MTSU may not permit the prospect to
sign a form indicating his or her acceptance of such an award before the initial signing date in that sport in the
National Letter of Intent program. (Revised: 4/29/10 effective 8/1/10)
Limitation on Number of National Letter of Intent/Offer of Financial Aid Signings -- Bowl Subdivision
Football
In bowl subdivision football, there shall be an annual limit of 28 on the number of prospects who may sign a
National Letter of Intent or an MTSU offer of financial aid from the initial signing date of the regular signing period
of the National Letter of Intent through May 31. (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10)
Exception -- Unofficial Visit During Dead Period After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other
Written Commitment.
A prospect who has signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) is permitted to make an unofficial visit during a dead
period to MTSU with which he or she has signed the NLI. For an institution not using the NLI in a particular sport,
or for a prospect who is not eligible to sign the NLI (e.g., four-year college transfer), a prospect is permitted to
make an unofficial visit during a dead period, provided he or she has signed the institution's written offer of
admission or financial aid, or the institution has received a financial deposit from the prospect in response to an
offer of admission. (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10)
Recruited Prospect
Actions by MTSU staff members or MTSU boosters that cause a prospect to become a recruited prospect at MTSU are:
(a) Providing the prospect with an official visit;
(b) Having an arranged, in-person, off-campus encounter with the prospect or the prospect's parent(s), relatives or legal guardian(s); or
(c) Initiating or arranging a telephone contact with the prospect, the prospect's relatives or legal guardian(s) on more than one occasion for the
purpose of recruitment.
(d) Issuing a National Letter of Intent(NLI) or the institution's written offer of athletically related financial aid to the prospect. Issuing a written
offer of athletically related financial aid to a prospect to attend a summer session prior to full-time enrollment does not cause the prospect to
become recruited.
Letter-of-Intent Signing-Date Exception
MTSU coaching staff members (see Bylaw 13.1.3.4.1) may make unlimited telephone calls to a prospect on the initial date for the signing of the
National Letter of Intent and during the two days immediately following the initial signing date.
Football Exception
In football, MTSU coaching staff members may make unlimited telephone calls to prospects during the period 48 hours before and 48 hours after
7 a.m. on the initial signing date for the National Letter of Intent.
Telephone Calls After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment
After the calendar day on which a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, there shall be no limit on the number of telephone calls by the
institution with which the prospect has signed. For an institution not using the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport, or for a prospect
who is not eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent (e.g., four-year college transfer), there shall be no limit on the number of telephone calls
to a prospect or the prospect's relatives or legal guardian(s) by that institution after the calendar day on which the prospect signs the institution's
written offer of admission and/or financial aid.
Telephone Calls After Receipt of Financial Deposit
On or after May 1 of a prospect's senior year in high school, there shall be no limit on the number of telephone
calls by MTSU to the prospect, provided the MTSU has received a financial deposit in response to an MTSU offer of
admission. (Adopted: 1/16/10
Exceptions -- Prior to National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment
Prior to a prospect signing a National Letter of Intent or the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, the following MTSU
staff members may make telephone calls to or receive telephone calls from a prospect (or the prospect's parents or legal guardians) as specified:
(a) President or Chancellor/Faculty Athletics Representative/Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator. It is permissible for an MTSU
chancellor or president, faculty athletics representative, director of athletics and senior woman administrator to return (as opposed to initiate)
telephone calls from a prospect (or the prospect's parents or legal guardians). Under such circumstances, there are no restrictions on the content
of the conversation that may occur during the call; however, any return call is subject to any applicable limitations on the number of telephone
calls that MTSU may place to prospect.
(b) Academic Advisors. It is permissible for academic advisors (including academic advisors within the athletics department) to make calls to or
receive calls from a prospect (or the prospect's parents or legal guardians) related to admissions or academic issues, subject to any applicable
limitation on the number of telephone calls an institution may place to prospects.
(c) Compliance Coordinators. It is permissible for a compliance coordinator to return telephone calls from a prospect with no limit on the timing or
number of such telephone calls, provided the calls relate only to compliance issues.
(d) Non-coaching Staff Members and Non-countable Coaches -- Telephone Calls in Conjunction with Official Visit. A non-coaching staff member or
a coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.4 may initiate telephone calls to and
receive telephone calls from a prospect or those individuals accompanying the prospect during the prospect's official visit transportation and during
his or her official visit. (Adopted: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10)
Additional Exceptions – Non-coaching Staff Members and Non-countable Coaches -- After National Letter of Intent
Signing or Other Written Commitment
(a) After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment. After the calendar day on which
a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, an MTSU non-coaching staff member or an MTSU coach who does not
count toward the numerical limitations on head and assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.4 may make telephone calls
to or receive telephone calls from the prospect (or the prospect's parents or legal guardians). For an institution
not using the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport, or for a prospect who is not eligible to sign a National
Letter of Intent (e.g., four-year college transfer), a non-coaching institutional staff member or a coach who does
not count toward the numerical limitations in Bylaw 11.7.4 may make telephone calls to or receive telephone calls
from a prospect (or the prospect's parents or legal guardians) after the calendar day on which the prospect signs
the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid. (Adopted: 1/14/08 effective 8/1/08, Revised:
8/8/08, 4/13/10)
(b) After Receipt of Financial Deposit. On or after May 1 of a prospect's senior year in high school, a non-
coaching institutional staff member or a coach who does not count toward the numerical limitations on head and
assistant coaches in Bylaw 11.7.4 may make telephone calls to or receive telephone calls from the prospect,
provided the institution has received a financial deposit in response to the institution's offer of
admission. (Adopted: 4/13/10)
Contacts After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment -- MTSU Sports Other Than Women's Basketball
and Football
In MTSU sports other than women's basketball and football, after the calendar day on which a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent(NLI),
there shall be no limit on the number of contacts by the institution with which the prospect has signed. For an institution not using the National
Letter of Intent in a particular sport, there shall be no limit on the number of contacts with the prospect or the prospect's relatives or legal
guardians by that institution after the calendar day of the prospect's signed acceptance of the institution's written offer of admission and/or
financial aid. However, the following conditions continue to apply:
(a) Any contact at the prospect's educational institution by MTSU men's basketball shall be confined to the permissible contact period and shall not
exceed one visit per week;
(b) No in-person, on- or off-campus contact may be made during a "dead period;"
(c) No on- or off-campus contact (including correspondence and telephone calls) may be made by an MTSU boosters except those involving
permissible pre-enrollment activities (e.g., a discussion of summer employment arrangements); and
(d) Contact at the site of a prospect's competition shall continue to be governed by the provisions of Bylaw 13.1.7.2. Note: contact with the
prospect's relatives or legal guardians at the site of the prospect's competition shall be permitted (see Bylaw 13.1.7.2.2).
Contacts After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Commitment -- MTSU Women's Basketball
MTSU women's basketball, after the calendar day on which the prospect signs the National Letter of Intent (NLI), there shall be no limit on
the number of contacts by the institution with which the prospect has signed. For an institution not using the NLI in women's basketball or for
those prospects not eligible to sign the NLI (e.g., four-year college transfer), there shall be no limit on the number of contacts with the prospect or
the prospect's relatives or legal guardians by that institution after the calendar day of the prospect's signed acceptance of the institution's written
offer of admission and/or financial aid. However, the following conditions continue to apply:
(a) No in-person, on- or off-campus contact may be made during a "dead period;"
(b) No on- or off-campus contact (including correspondence and telephone calls) may be made by MTSU boosters except those involving
permissible pre-enrollment activities (e.g., discussion of summer employment arrangements); and
(c) Contact at the site of a prospect's competition shall continue to be governed by the provisions of Bylaw 13.1.7.2. Note: contact with the
prospect's relatives or legal guardians at the site of the prospect's competition shall be permitted (see Bylaw 13.1.7.2.2).
Contact After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment -- MTSU Football
MTSU football, after the calendar day on which a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent(NLI), there shall be no limit on the number of
contacts by the institution with which the prospect has signed. For an institution not using the National Letter of Intent in football, there shall be no
limit on the number of contacts with the prospect or the prospect's relatives or legal guardians by that institution after the calendar day of the
prospect's signed acceptance of the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid. However, the following conditions continue to
apply:
(a) Contact at the prospect's educational institution shall be confined to the permissible contact period and the spring evaluation period (see Bylaw
30.10.3). Contact at the educational institution during the contact period shall not exceed one visit per week. A visit to the educational institution
during the spring evaluation period that only includes contact with a signed prospect shall be considered
one of the institution's two permissible days at that institution (see Bylaw 13.1.8.9.2);
(b) No in-person, on- or off-campus contact may be made during a "dead period;"
(c) No on- or off-campus contact (including correspondence and telephone calls) may be made by a representative of the institution's athletics
interests except those involving permissible pre-enrollment activities (e.g., discussion of summer employment arrangements); and
(d) Contact at the site of a prospect's competition shall continue to be governed by the provisions of Bylaw 13.1.7.2. Note: contact with the
prospect's relatives or legal guardians at the site of the prospect's competition shall be permitted.
Additional Restrictions -- MTSU Men's and Women's Basketball
In men's and women's basketball, the following additional restrictions shall apply:
(a) In MTSU men's basketball, contact shall not be made with a prospect at any basketball event during the academic year that is not part of a
prospect's normal high school, preparatory school or two-year college season, or any event that is not approved, sanctioned, sponsored or
conducted by the applicable state high school or two-year college association, National Federation of State High School Associations or the National
Junior College Athletic Association.
(b) In MTSU men's basketball, all communication with a prospect (including a prospect who has signed a National Letter of Intent), the
prospect's relatives or legal guardians, the prospect's coach or any individual associated with the prospect as a result of the prospect's participation
in basketball, directly or indirectly, is prohibited during the time period in which the prospect is participating in a summer certified event. However,
printed materials (e.g., letters, recruiting brochures, questionnaires) may be sent via regular mail (see Bylaw 13.4.1) to a prospect's home while
the prospect is participating in a summer certified event. An institutional coaching staff member may communicate at an event site with a prospect
who has signed a National Letter of Intent only if the prospect is not participating in the event and is not associated with any team participating in
the event (e.g., travels to the event at own expenses, not under the authority of a coach at any time, does not participate in team functions).
(c) In MTSU women's basketball, during the July evaluation periods, all communication with a prospect, the prospect's relatives or legal guardians,
the prospect's coach or any individual associated with the prospect as a result of the prospect's participation in basketball, directly or indirectly, is
prohibited.
Exception -- MTSU Women's Basketball -- Communication After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment
In MTSU women's basketball, may communicate with a prospect (or the prospect's relatives, legal guardians or coach) during the July evaluation
periods, provided the prospect has graduated from high school and signed a National Letter of Intent with the institution. For an institution not
using the National Letter of Intent in women's basketball or for those prospects not eligible to sign the National Letter of Intent,
communication may occur during the July evaluation periods, provided the prospect has graduated from high school and signed
the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid.
Evaluations After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment
After the calendar day on which a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, there shall be no limit on the number of evaluations by MTSU
with which the prospect has signed. For an institution that does not use the National Letter of Intent, there shall be no limit on the number of
evaluations with the prospect after the calendar day of the prospect's signed acceptance of the institution's written offer of admission and/or
financial aid.
Exception -- Electronic Transmissions After National Letter of Intent Signing or Other Written Commitment
After the calendar day on which a prospect signs a National Letter of Intent, there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted
correspondence sent to the prospect or his or her parents or legal guardians by the institution with which the prospect has signed. For an
institution not using the National Letter of Intent in a particular sport, or for a prospect who is not eligible to sign a National Letter of Intent (e.g.,
four-year college transfer), there shall be no limit on the forms of electronically transmitted correspondence sent to a prospect or his or her parents
or legal guardians by that institution after the calendar day on which the prospect signs the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial
aid.
Letter of Intent Restriction
MTSU may not participate in an institutional or conference athletics letter-of-intent program or issue an institutional or conference financial aid
agreement that involves a signing date that precedes the initial regular (as opposed to early) signing date for the National Letter of Intent
program in the same sport. However, an institution may permit a prospect to sign an institutional or conference letter of intent during the
National Letter of Intent early signing period in the applicable sport.
Mailing of Financial Aid Offer
An MTSU or Sun Belt Conference financial aid form may be included in the normal mailing of the National Letter of Intent, but none of the
forms enclosed in the mailing may be signed by the prospect prior to the initial signing date in that sport in the National Letter of Intent program.
Offer of Aid before Signing Date
MTSU may indicate in writing to a prospect that an athletically related grant-in-aid will be offered by the institution; however, MTSU may not
permit the prospect to sign a form indicating his or her acceptance of such an award before the initial signing date in that sport in the National
Letter of Intent program.
Comments before Signing
Before the signing of a prospect to a National Letter of Intent or an institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid, MTSU may
comment publicly only to the extent of confirming its recruitment of the prospect. MTSU may not comment generally about the prospect's ability
or the contribution that the prospect might make to the institution's team; further, MTSU is precluded from commenting in any manner as to the
likelihood of the prospect's signing with that institution. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a prospect's eligibility and are considered institutional
violations per Constitution 2.8.1.
Media Releases Regarding Signing
Publicity released by MTSU concerning a prospect's commitment to attend MTSU shall occur only after the prospect has signed a National
Letter of Intent or after the prospects signed acceptance of the institution's written offer of admission and/or financial aid. Such communications
(with no limit on number or content) may be released to media outlets at the discretion of MTSU except as limited by Bylaw 13.10.9.2. However,
MTSU is prohibited from purchasing or receiving commercial advertising (e.g., print, media or billboard) to be used to identify a prospect by name
or picture. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a prospect's eligibility and are considered institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1.
Announcement of All Signings
MTSU may conduct one formal press conference on the MTSU campus for the purpose of presenting the names of all prospects in a sport who
have signed a National Letter of Intent or accepted written offers of admission and/or financial aid from the institution, with the understanding
that no prospects (or their friends or relatives) may be in attendance at such an announcement.
After Signing or Acceptance for Enrollment
It shall be permissible to administer medical examinations at any time to prospects who either have signed the National Letter of Intent with
MTSU or have been accepted for enrollment in a regular full-time program of studies at MTSU, provided the examinations occur during an official
paid visit, attendance at summer school per Bylaw 15.2.8 or a visit to MTSU n at the prospect's own expense for any purpose. Such an
examination may take place before or after, but not during, a prospect's visit to the campus to attend a general orientation session pursuant to
Bylaw 13.15.2.4.
After National Letter-of-Intent Signing Date
There shall be no limit on the number of recruiting contacts with the prospect, the prospect's relatives or legal guardians (consistent with the
provisions of Bylaws 13.1.6.8 and 13.1.6.8.1) made by a national service academy to which the prospect has applied for admission after the
National Letter of Intent signing date in the sport.
Notification of Initial-Eligibility Standards
MTSU shall provide to high school prospects and their parents or legal guardians’ information regarding the initial-eligibility standards contained in
Bylaw 14.3. The information shall be provided at the earliest opportunity after MTSU begins recruiting the prospect, but not later than
the day prior to the prospect's signed acceptance of the National Letter of Intent or institution's written offer of admission and/or
financial aid. MTSU may provide the information in hard copy or electronic form (e.g., electronic mail, link to Web site). Violations of this bylaw
shall be considered institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1; however, such violations shall not affect the prospect's eligibility.
National Letter of Intent Signing Date
Monday through Thursday of the week that includes the fall or spring signing of the National Letter of Intent in the applicable sport.
FORMS
National Letter of Intent Form - MTSU Financial Aid Form - MTSU Scholarship Authorization Form
MTSU Request NLI and/or Grant-in-Aid Form - PISA Historical-Transfer Form - PISA Flowchart for Scholarship Request
PISA International Team Athletic Questionnaire
PISA Statement of Inactivity Form
PISA Coaches Certification of Status Form
2010-11 NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT SIGNING DATES
Sport Initial Signing Date Final Signing Date
Basketball and All Other Sports Not Listed (Early Period) November 10, 2010 November 17, 2010
Football (Midyear JC Transfer) December 15, 2010 January 15, 2011
Football (Regular Period) February 2, 2011 April 1, 2011
Field Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country, Men's Water Polo February 2, 2011 August 1, 2011
Basketball (Regular Period) April 13, 2011 May 18, 2011
All Other Sports Not Listed (Regular Period) April 13, 2011 August 1, 2011
About the National Letter of Intent (NLI)
The NCAA Eligibility Center manages the daily operations of the NLI program while the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA) provides
governance oversight of the program. Started in 1964 with seven conferences and eight independent institutions, the program now includes 610
Division I and II participating institutions. The NLI is a voluntary program with regard to both institutions and student-athletes. No prospect or
parent is required to sign the National Letter of Intent, and no institution is required to join the program.
Q. What is the National Letter of Intent (NLI)?
A. The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospect (high school, prep school, junior college) and a member institution.
Prospect agrees to attend institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
Institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
Basic Penalty for not fulfilling the NLI agreement: Serve one year in residence at next NLI member institution and lose one season of
competition in all sports.
Recruiting Prohibition
By signing a National Letter of Intent, prospects agree to attend MTSU for one academic year. Pursuant to the terms of the National Letter of
Intent program and as a participating institution, MTSU agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year to the student-athlete,
provided he/she is admitted to MTSU and is eligible for financial aid under NCAA rules (e.g., initial eligibility or transfer eligibility). An important
provision of the National Letter of Intent program is a recruiting prohibition applied after a prospects signs a Letter of Intent. This
prohibition requires all other participating institutions to cease recruitment of prospects once a National Letter of Intent is signed with
MTSU.
Q. What is the Recruiting Ban?
A. Institutions must respect the NLI signing by ceasing recruitment. The recruiting ban remains in effect until the prospect enrolls at the signing
institution or if the prospect does not enroll at the signing institution, the recruiting ban will be lifted after the signing institution’s next academic
year has elapsed. Once enrolled the student-athlete is governed by NCAA recruiting regulations.
The National Letter of Intent has many advantages to both prospects and MTSU:
Once a National Letter of Intent is signed, prospects are no longer subject to further recruiting contacts and calls.
Prospects are assured of an athletics scholarship for one full academic year.
By emphasizing a commitment to MTSU, not particular coaches or teams, the program focuses on a prospect’s educational objectives.
Q. How is the NLI handled by MTSU?
A. MTSU issues an NLI and offer of athletics aid to the prospect. Prospect signs two copies; returns one to MTSU and keeps one. The NLI must
be signed within 14 days of issue date (unless early signing period, deadline on final signing date). If prospect is under 21, a parent/
legal guardian must also sign the NLI. Institution verifies required information and sends to conference office. The NLI must be filed with
conference within 21 days of final signature.
Q. How is the NLI handled if there is a coaching change?
A. A prospect signs an NLI with MTSU, not with a coach. If the coach leaves MTSU, the prospect is still bound by the provision of the NLI signed
with MTSU.
Q. How is the NLI handled by the Sun Belt Conference Office?
A. Conference office determines validity of NLI. If NLI is valid, conference administrator enters prospect information into the NLI database. Only
conference administrators have access to database.
Q. What is a Valid NLI?
A. An NLI MUST be accompanied by an MTSU athletics financial aid agreement (aid from an athletics source). A valid NLI must include
the NCAA ID# which is provided once the prospect registers with the NCAA Eligibility Center( NCAA EC). MTSU shall not provide a
high school or preparatory school prospects a written offer of athletically related financial aid until he or she has registered with the NCAA
Eligibility Center and MTSU has placed the prospect on its institutional request list (IRL) with the NCAA Eligibility Center. An NLI MAY
NOT be signed prior to the signing dates. An NLI HAS TO include a parent or legal guardian signature if signee is under the age of 21,
regardless of prospect’s marital status. The SUN BELT conference validates the NLI to ensure the NLI and athletics aid agreement
are complete and meet all NLI and NCAA requirements.
How is an NLI declared null and void?
A. An NLI may become null and void in the following ways: 1) A prospect is denied admission to MTSU; 2) A prospect does not meet NCAA,
MTSU or Sun Belt Conference eligibility requirements; 3) The prospect does not ENROLL at MTSU for at least one academic year with a
scholarship of the same amount no longer available; 4) the prospect serves in the U.S. Armed Forces or on a Church Mission for one year;
5) the prospects sport is discontinued, including for student-athletes who are already enrolled at MTSU; and 6) if the prospect is found to have
been involved in recruiting rules violations; however the NLI shall only be deemed void if the violation is substantiated and prompts the need for
reinstatement by the NCAA staff.
NLI Document Library
Athletic Scholarships
Reference Guide to the NLI
NLI Administrator Guidelines (For Institutions and Conferences)
Penalty Provisions and Appeals Process
Release Request Form (NLI Release Request Form must be completed in the event a signee requests to be released from the NLI obligation)
Appeals Form (If a signee’s request for a complete release is denied, an appeal may be sent to the NLI Office when extenuating
circumstances are determined to exist)
Institutional Commitment Form (MTSU must file form with SUN BELT Conference Office)
How can a signee be released from the NLI?
Release Request
MTSU may release a student from his or her NLI obligation by selecting the “Complete Release” option on the NLI Release Request Form.
The NLI release is not the same as NCAA permission to contact (i.e., releases are not specific to schools).
Appeal Process
The signee must present compelling extenuating circumstances to be granted.
Enrollment in a Junior College After Signing an NLI
A prospect who signed an NLI while in high school or during his or her first year of full-time enrollment in a junior college must graduate from the
junior college to satisfy the terms of the NLI.
If a prospect signed an NLI while in high school or during his or her first year of full-time enrollment in a junior college, he or she may sign another
NLI in the signing year in which he or she is scheduled to graduate from the junior college. If he or she graduates, the second NLI would be the
binding one; otherwise, the original NLI, if not already satisfied would remain valid.
Enrollment in a Junior College – No Previously Signed NLI
Division I
4-2-4 transfer may sign an NLI if he or she graduates from the junior college and never previously signed an NLI as required by 14.5.6 unless an
exception is met.
2-4 transfer may sign an NLI in the first year of junior college enrollment if he or she was a qualifier and never previously signed an NLI.
NLI Membership…
Currently 616 NCAA Division I and II institutions are members.
Not NLI members:
All members of the NLI program are required to offer athletics scholarships; however, the Ivy League, Service Academies, Division III institutions,
NAIA institutions, preparatory schools and junior colleges.
All members of NLI program are required to offer athletic scholarships.
Coaching Contact Prohibited at Time of Signing
In accordance with NCAA Bylaws 13.1.6.7 and 13.1.6.7.1, an MTSU coach or MTSU staff member or booster may not hand deliver the NLI off
campus or be present off campus at the time the prospect signs. The NLI may be delivered by express mail, courier service, regular mail, e-mail or
facsimile machine. An NLI transmitted to an institution by facsimile machine or electronically shall be considered valid.
Early Signing Period Penalties
Prospects who will participate in football are prohibited from signing an NLI during the early signing period. A student who signs an NLI during the
early period in a sport other than football will be ineligible for practice and competition in the sport of football during the student’s first year of
enrollment at an NLI member institution, and shall forfeit one season of eligibility in the sport of football.
In circumstances where a student’s primary sport is not football, but the student anticipates participating in football, the student should delay
signing an NLI until either the football signing period or during the regular signing period for all other sports.
Other NLI Quick Reference Notes
Completing a playing season alone does not fulfill the NLI obligation. The entire academic year at the signing institution must be completed.
4-4 Transfers are no longer prospects. A four-year transfer shall not sign an NLI.
The NLI penalty does not preclude a student-athlete from receiving athletics aid or practicing while serving the one year of residence.
Prospects enrolling mid-year shall not sign an NLI except for a junior college transfer in the sport of football.
If NLI is declared null and void, prospect is not permitted to sign another NLI until the next signing year.
If NLI is declared invalid, prospect is permitted to sign another NLI during the same signing period.