NLI

Question
Hi Tom
Just wandering if a National Letter Of Intent is the same as an Offer of athletic grant in aid or are they two different documents?? I have been on the NLI website and i am still confused
thanks

Answer
Hi Julie -

I can understand why you are confused. As an NCAA Division I diving coach, I also get mixed about the different rules and regulations we have to follow and explain to athletes. I think the best way I can answer your question is to define these terms as found in the NCAA Compliance Manual that all coaches refer to for recruiting purposes.

A National Letter of Intent is defined as: " The official document administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association and used by subscribing member institutions to establish the commitment of prospective student athletes to attend a particular university or college"

An Offer of a Full-Grant-In Aid is defined as:" A financial aid that consists of tuition, fees, room and board (meals) and required course related books".

You also need to be familiar with the term "Verbal Commitment". This is when a diving coach calls you on the phone and asks you to commit verbally to his or her school. You can say yes to this but later change your mind.

If you sign a national letter of intent after being offered a full grant-in-aid (also known as a "full ride" in the states)then you must commit to attend that school. If you change your mind after signing and want to go to a different school, the school you first signed with can prevent you from competing for that school for one year. You can practice with the team, just not be in meets. You can dive in an unattached status in non collegiate meets (such as USA Diving club meets) and also represent Australia in meets.

I would stay away from NIL websites as they can be misleading and confuse you on purpose to get you to pay for their services. Only use the NCAA website (www.ncaa.org)for accurate student athlete information.

If you are interested in finding out more about the college I coach at, the University of Idaho, please contact me at [email protected].
We are a Division I team in the Western Athletic Conference.We are a springboard only program with no platforms on campus. We have our own dry land training room with trampoline and dry boards.I am looking for high school students who are graduating in 2011.

Hope all this helps. Good luck