Prospective Student-Athlete Information

• What is a prospective student-athlete?
• What is an official visit?
• What is an unofficial visit?
• How many official or unofficial visits can I make?
• What do I need to do before I make an official visit?
• Can I receive gifts before or after I enroll?
• What is the National Letter of Intent (NLI)?
• Do I have to sign an NLI?
• What are contacts and evaluations?
• Where can I find more information on recruiting rules?

What is a prospective student-athlete?
A prospective student-athlete (prospect) is a student who has started classes for the ninth grade. You can become a prospect even if you have not started the ninth grade, if a college gives you or your relatives any financial help or other benefits that it does not give other new students.

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What is an official visit?
An official visit is a visit paid in whole or part by the college and last for 48 hours.

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What is an unofficial visit?
An unofficial visit is a visit made at the prospects own expense. The college may provide (a) free tickets to an on-campus athletics event in which the college's team competes and (b) transportation to view off-campus practice and competition sites within a 30-mile radius.

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How many official and unofficial visits can I make?
You can make five official visits and only one per college. You can make as many unofficial visits as you want.

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What do I need to do before I make an official visit?

You must present the college with:
1. A score from a PSAT, SAT, or an ACT test. The score must be
presented in writing through an official high-school or testing agency, and 2. An academic transcript. The transcript may be an unofficial photocopy of an official document.

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Can I receive gifts before or after I enroll?
Specifically prohibited financial aid, benefits, and arrangements include, but are not limited to, the following:

• An employment arrangement for a prospects relatives;
• Gift of clothing or equipment;
• Cosigning of loans;
• Providing loans to a prospects relatives or friends;
• Cash or like items;
• Any tangible items, including merchandise;
• Free or reduced-cost services, rentals, or purchases of any type;
• Free or reduced-cost housing;
• Use of a college's athletics equipment;
• Sponsorship of or arrangement for an awards banquet for high-school, prep school, or two-year college athletes by a college, athletics representative, or its alumni groups.

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What is the National Letter of Intent?
The official document administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association and used by colleges to establish your commitment to attend a particular college.

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Do I have to sign an NLI?
No. However, signing an NLI guarantees your financial aid award for one year. Signing an NLI also binds you to that school for one full academic year. Remember, the NLI is tied to the school, which means even if the coach leaves, you are obligated to stay for the full year to avoid penalties.

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What are contacts and evaluations?

Contact: Any face-to-face encounter between you or your parents, relatives, or legal guardian and a college staff employee or athletics representative. If the conversation goes beyond an exchange of greetings, a contact has occurred.

Evaluation: Any off-campus activity designed to assess your academic qualifications (for example, reviewing transcripts at your school) or athletics ability (for example, watching your practice).

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Where can I find more information on recruiting rules?

NCAA Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 4043
Iowa City, Iowa 52243-4043
(319) 337-1492
NCAA Hotline -- 1(800) 638-3731
www.ncaa.org

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