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Session 19: Before You Commit, Ask One Question ... |
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| Session 19: Before You Commit, Ask One Question ... |
| The Student-Athlete & College Recruiting |
NLI Signing Dates
During the recruiting process an institution may indicate in writing or by phone to a prospect that an athletic grant-in-aid (athletic scholarship) will be offered by the institution. Depending when they make this offer they either want the prospect to verbally accept or sign a National Letter of Intent to their institution. Each of these types of commitments have an immediate effect on the rest of the recruiting process.
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Verbal Acceptance |
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If an institution makes a scholarship offer prior to the official signing date, the prospect may publicly announce they are verbally committing to that institution. This however, may not stop other institutions from trying to change your mind. A verbal commitment is not a binding agreement. Either party may back out of the commitment, but a college puts their future recruiting success on the line should they back out on their offer. Making a verbal commitment provides the student-athlete with a sort of "insurance" that they have a scholarshi and can concentrate on the rest of their high school experience. |
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Signing a Letter of Intent |
| Signing a Letter of Intent, in effect ends the recruiting process. The prospect is committed to enroll and complete one academic year at the contracting institution. The institution in return is bound to provide financial aid for the term of the contract (one year). This contract may only be terminated if each party is in agreement and subsequent penalties may apply. Most NCAA schools use the Collegiate Commissioners Association to administer the National Letter of Intent. The NAIA and some smaller colleges administer their own Letter of Intent. The National Letter of Intent (NLI) must be signed in accordance to the established signing dates. Their website is www.national-letter.org. |
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