What is a National Letter of Intent? Read This to Find Out …

Some players may know about this, some may not; which ever category you may fall into, this article should clarify exactly what the National Letter of Intent is, if you need to sign one, when you must sign by and all other related questions you may have in regards to the NCAA National Letter of Intent.

LITTLE FACT: The signing of a National Letter of Intent began in 1964 with only a few institutions participating. Now, the National Letter of Intent program includes 652 Division 1 and Division 2 participating institutions.

What is the National Letter of Intent (NLI)?

The National Letter of Intent is a binding contract between a player & the school that wants you to play for their team. The player agrees to attend and compete for the school for at least 1 year or two semesters or three quarters (this is the minimum amount of time). The player then signs an athletic aid agreement at this time too. You are not officially required to sign an National Letter of Intent but many players choose to do so if or when they receive one.  You can only sign one valid National Letter of Intent annually for one sport. When you sign an National Letter of Intent, the letter is signed with the institution and not with a specific coach.

By signing your NLI you are agreeing to attend the school for one year in exchange for the school’s promise. This will usually be in writing and should include the following:

At the time I sign this NLI, I must receive a written offer of athletics financial aid for the entire academic year from the institution named in this document. The offer must list the terms, conditions and amount of the athletics aid award. (A midyear football two-year college transfer student-athlete must receive a written offer of athletics financial aid for the remainder of the academic year. If the institution does not renew the athletics aid for the following academic year, the student-athlete must be released of the NLI). In order for this NLI to be valid, my parent/legal guardian and I must sign the NLI and I must also sign the offer of athletics aid (see institutional policy for parent/legal guardian signature) prior to submission to the institution named in this document, and any other stated conditions must also be met. If the conditions stated on the financial aid offer are not met, this NLI shall be declared null and void. Professional Sports Contract.   If I sign a professional sports contract in the sport in which I signed the NLI, I remain bound by the NLI in all other sports, even if NCAA rules prohibit the institution named in this document from providing me with athletics financial aid for the sport in which I signed the NLI.

Quote: nationalletter.org

Under NCAA rules, when a player puts their signature of a National Letter of Intent, they are then admitted into the school becoming eligible for athletic aid . Signing you’re National Letter of Intent means you have officially ended your recruitment process. The deal is done. Players who commit and sign, automatically have whats called a “recruiting ban” put on them which goes into effect immediately. This means the player can no longer be recruited by any other school.

NOTE: You sign your National Letter of Intent ONLY ONCE and you are not required to do it every year.

How will I receive my National Letter of Intent?

You can receive a National Letter of Intent in the mail or via email (schools are allowed to do this). If they send it via email as an attachment they must also include the offer of athletic aid in the email as well. Make sure you follow the institution’s instructions for signing and returning the National Letter of Intent and athletics aid agreement. This is very important.

NOTE: It is important that you keep a copy of the National Letter of Intent and athletics aid agreement for your records and safe keeping.

Do all schools have players sign a National Letter of Intent?

Most NCAA Division 1 & Division 2 schools have players sign a National Letter of Intent. However, if you are a walk-on you will not sign a National Letter of Intent. If you a player who decides to attend a NCAA Division 3 school, those players typically, do not have a National Letter of Intent to sign.

NOTE: NAIA schools and NJCAA schools have their own versions of the national letter of intent.

Who does the National Letter of Intent apply to?

This National Letter of Intent applies prospective student-athletes who will be entering a four-year school for the first time as full-time students. 4-2-4 transfer student athletes are allowed provided a previous valid National Letter of Intent does not apply.

NOTE: The terms of the previous National Letter of Intent are satisfied if a student athlete graduates from a two-year college.

Can I sign a National Letter of Intent before I receive my final certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center?

Yes, you can sign a National Letter of Intent before you receive your final certification determination from the NCAA Eligibility Center. When you sign the National Letter of Intent, you agree to submit the necessary information and documents to the Eligibility Center. These documents do not have to be received by the Eligibility Center before you sign an National Letter of Intent. Later, if you are determined by the Eligibility Center to be a non-qualifier per NCAA rules (this means you are not eligible at the National Letter of Intent member institution for practice, competition and athletics aid) your National Letter of Intent will be declared null and void by the National Letter of Intent signing institution, if, by the opening day of classes, you are not academically eligible.

Is there a signing deadline?

If a player or parent/legal guardian do not sign their National Letter of Intent and accompanying offer of athletics aid within 7 days after the date of issuance which is noted on the signing page, it will be invalid. The 7-day signing deadline does not apply if the National Letter of Intent is received on the last day of a signing period (eg. August 1). In this case, the 7-day signing deadline only applies if there are 7 days remaining for the signing period. Additionally, the institution must file the National Letter of Intent with its conference office within 14 days of the date of final signature; otherwise, the National Letter of Intent is invalid. If you are under the age of 21, regardless of marital status, your parent or legal guardian must sign the National Letter of Intent in order for it to be considered valid. If you are 21 years of age or older, it is not necessary for your parent or legal guardian to sign the document.

If your parent or legal guardian is not available (due to death, incarceration etc.) it is allowed for another person to sign the National Letter of Intent with you. However, you must be approved in advance by the National Letter of Intent office before you sign the National Letter of Intent. To gain approval you should work with the school recruiting you to put together a statement with the following information: explain why your parent or legal guardian is unable to sign the National Letter of Intent with you; The name of the person (who is not a coach or athletics administrator) who has agreed to sign with you. Your school will submit this information and any supporting documentation to the National Letter of Intent office for review and a decision.

Where is my National Letter of Intent Filed?

The institution you are attending must file your National Letter of Intent with its conference within 14 days after the date of final signature. If this filing deadline is not met, your letter of intent will be declared invalid.

What are the consequences for not meeting the requirements of my National Letter of Intent?

There is a penalty for not fulfilling your National Letter of Intent agreement, so please be aware of this:

The penalty for not fulfilling the NLI agreement: A student-athlete has to serve one year in residence (full-time, two semesters or three quarters) at the next NLI member institution and lose one season of competition in all sports.

I understand that if I do not attend the institution named in this document for one full academic year and I enroll in another institution participating in the NLI program, I may not compete in intercollegiate athletics until I have completed one full academic year in residence at the latter institution. Further, I understand I shall be charged with the loss of one season of intercollegiate athletics competition in all sports. This is in addition to any seasons of competition used at any institution.

Quote: nationalletter.org

What if I sign and change my mind?

In the event a player wishes to be released from their National Letter of Intent obligation, the player must put in a request to the National Letter of Intent release request and appeals process: http://www.nationalletter.org/releaseAndAppeals.

What are the reasons a National Letter of Intent would become Null and Void?

A players signed National Letter of Intent would be declared null and void if any of the following take place according to the nationalletter.org terms of agreement:

a.   Admissions Requirement.  This National Letter of Intent shall be declared null and void if the institution named in this document notifies me in writing that I have been denied admission or, by the opening day of classes in the fall, has failed to provide me with written notice of admission, provided I have submitted a complete admission application. It is my obligation to provide, by request, my academic records and an application for admission to the signing institution. If I fail to submit the necessary academic credentials and/or application to determine an admission decision prior to September 1, the National Letter of Intent office per its review with the institution will determine the status of the National Letter of Intent.

If I am eligible for admission, but the institution named in this document defers my admission to a subsequent term, the National Letter of Intent will be declared null and void; however, this National Letter of Intent remains binding if I defer my admission.

b.   Eligibility Requirements.  This National Letter of Intent shall be declared null and void if, by the opening day of classes in the fall, I have not met NCAA initial eligibility requirements; NCAA, conference or institution’s requirements for athletics financial aid; or two-year college transfer requirements, provided I have submitted all necessary documents for eligibility determination.

(1) This National Letter of Intent shall be rendered null and void if I become a non-qualifier per the NCAA Eligibility Center. This National Letter of Intent remains valid if I am a partial qualifier per NCAA Division II rules unless I do not meet the institution’s policies for receipt of athletics aid.

(2) It is my obligation to register with and provide information to the NCAA Eligibility Center. If I fail to submit the necessary documentation for an initial-eligibility decision and have not attended classes at the signing institution, the National Letter of Intent office per its review with the institution will determine the status of the National Letter of Intent.

c.   One-Year Absence.  This National Letter of Intent shall be declared null and void if I have not attended any institution (two-year or four-year) for at least one academic year, provided my request for athletics financial aid for a subsequent fall term is denied by the signing institution. Service in active duty with the U.S. armed forces or an official church mission for at least 12 months can use the One-Year Absence to null and void the National Letter of Intent. I may still apply this provision if I initially enrolled in an National Letter of Intent member institution but have been absent for at least one academic year. To apply this provision, I must file with the appropriate conference office a statement from the director of athletics that such athletics financial aid will not be available for the requested fall term.

d.   Discontinued Sport  This National Letter of Intent shall be declared null and void if the institution named in the document discontinues my sport.

e.  Recruiting Rules Violation.  If eligibility reinstatement by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff is necessary due to NCAA and/or conference recruiting rules violations, the institution must notify me that I have an option to have the National Letter of Intent declared null and void due to the rules violation. It is my decision to have the National Letter of Intent remain valid or to have the National Letter of Intent declared null and void, permitting me to be recruited and not be subject to National Letter of Intent penalties.