TABLE OF CONTENTS
Awards and Gifts………………………………………………………… 3-5
Eligibility…………………………………………………………………. 6-10
Entertainment………………………………………………………….. 10-11
Lodging and Meals……………………………………………………….. 11
Travel………………………………………………………………………………… 11-12
The following document contains selected NCAA Bylaws, Interpretations and Educational Columns pertaining to common situations that occur during the holiday break.
AWARDS & GIFTS
Please note the NCAA has confirmed that it is permissible for student-athletes to receive gift cards as an award for their participation in championships, tournaments, etc. The student-athletes should NOT be allowed to receive cash if they exchange or return items purchased with the gift card.
NCAA Bylaw 16.1.1.2 Awards Received For Participation While Representing the Institution- The awards limitations of Bylaw 16.1 apply to awards received by a student-athlete for participation in competition while representing his or her institution. Such awards may not include cash or cash equivalents, gift certificates or gift cards that are redeemable for cash (original amount or any balance thereof), or a country club or sports club membership. [R] (Revised: 4/28/10, 1/19/13 effective 8/1/13)
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.2 Uniformity of Awards- Awards presented by a member institution, conference or other approved agency must be uniform for all team members receiving the award.
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.4 Types of Awards, Awarding Agencies, Maximum Value and Numbers of Awards- Athletics awards given to individual student-athletes shall be limited to those approved or administered by the member institution, its conference or an approved agency as specified in the following subsections and shall be limited in value and number as specified in this section. Awards received for intercollegiate athletics participation may not be sold, exchanged or assigned for another item of value, even if the student-athlete’s name or picture does not appear on the award. Each of the following subsections is independent of the others so that it is permissible for an individual student-athlete to receive the awards described in all subsections (See Figure 16-1, Figure 16-2 and Figure 16-3).
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 9/13/13- Recognition of Accomplishments in a Particular Contest or Event (I)– The academic and membership affairs staff determined that an institution may provide a memento of nominal value (e.g., game ball, t-shirt, hat, etc.), which may not include cash or cash equivalents, to a student-athlete in recognition of an accomplishment in a particular contest or event as a benefit incidental to participation. __________________________________________________________________________________________
NCAA Bylaw 16.1.4.1 Participation Awards- Awards for participation in intercollegiate athletics may be presented each year, limited in value and number as specified in Figure 16-1. Awards for participation in special events may be provided only to student-athletes eligible to participate in the competition. [R] (Revised: 4/25/02 effective 8/1/02, 3/8/12, 1/19/13 effective 8/1/13)
NCAA Official Interpretation- 11/8/12– Special Event Participation Awards Based on Level of Achievement (I)- The committee determined that special event participation awards may include awards that are based on a level of achievement (e.g., all-tournament award, finalist award, place-finish award) in the event, provided the awards are uniform within each level and the combined value of all awards received for participation in the particular type of special event (e.g., conference championship; other established meets, tournaments and featured individual competition) does not exceed the legislated maximum value.
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 2/14/11- Participation Awards for Student-Athletes in Special Events (I)- The academic and membership affairs staff confirmed that an institution may provide a participation award for participation in a special event to any student-athlete who is eligible to represent the institution in the special event, even if the student-athlete does not travel to the event or represent the institution in the competition (e.g., injured student-athlete, travel squad or participation limit).
NCAA Educational Column- 11/16/07- — Qualifying Regular-Season Multiple-Team Events — Scouting Limitations and Participation Awards (I)- In basketball, off-campus, in-person scouting of opponents is prohibited, except as provided in NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1.1, which states that an institution may pay the expenses for a member of its basketball coaching staff to attend a regular-season or postseason tournament, or a double-header event in which the institution’s team is a participant. Under such circumstances, the individual may scout future opponents also participating in the same tournament or double-header event at the same site without being subject to the scouting prohibition in Bylaw 11.6.1.
NCAA Division I institutions should note that members of the coaching staff are permitted to scout a future opponent competing in the same qualifying regular-season multiple-team event at the same site as their institution’s team even if the qualifying regular-season multiple-team event is not conducted in a traditional tournament format (e.g., single-elimination format in which a winner is declared at the conclusion of the event). However, a member of the institution’s coaching staff, would not be permitted to travel to a different site that is hosting competition for the same qualifying regular-season multiple-team event in which the coach’s team is participating in order scout future opponents (even if none of the teams participating at the other site are on the institution’s schedule at the time of the event).
Lastly, it is permissible to provide special-event participation awards to student-athletes participating in a qualifying regular-season multiple-team event. Such awards must be provided by either the institution or the management of the qualifying regular-season multiple-team event and must be limited to a $350 value. [Note: value has changed to $400]
|
Type of Award |
Maximum Value of Award |
Number of Times Award May Be Received |
Permissible Awarding Agencies |
Maximum Number of Permissible Awarding Agencies |
|
Participation in other established meets, tournaments and featured individual competition |
$400* |
Once per event |
Institution Management of Event |
2
|
*The combined value of all awards received for participation in this type of event from the institution and the management of the event may not exceed the published value
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.4.2 Awards for Winning Conference and National Championships- Awards for winning an individual or team conference or national championship may be presented each year, limited in value and number as specified in Figure 16-2. Awards for winning a conference or national championship in a team sport may be provided only to student-athletes who were eligible to participate in the championship event. The total value of any single award received for a national championship may not exceed $415. The total value of any single award received for a conference championship may not exceed $325, and each permissible awarding agency is subject to a separate $325 limit per award. Each permissible awarding agency may provide only a single award for each championship to each student-athlete. Separate awards may be presented to both the regular-season conference champion and the postseason conference champion (with a separate $325 limitation), but if the same institution wins the regular-season and postseason conference championship, the combined value of both awards shall not exceed $325.
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.5.1 Assignment of Normal-Retail Value- Normal retail value shall be assigned as the value of an award when determining whether an award meets specified value limits, even when a member institution receives institutional awards from an athletics representative or organization free of charge or at a special reduced rate. Normal retail value is the cost to the institution that is based solely on volume and is available to all purchasers of a similar volume and that does not involve an obligation to make additional purchases to enable the supplier to recover the costs for the original purchase.
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 2/6/09- Administrative Fees Associated with Awards (I)- The academic and membership affairs staff determined that administrative fees (e.g., tooling charges, tax, shipping and handling) for awards (e.g., national championship rings) that are separate from the value of the award do not need to be included when calculating the value of the award. [References: NCAA Division I Bylaw 16.1.5.1 (assignment of normal retail value)]
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.5.2 Supplementary-Purchase Arrangement- An institution may not enter into a supplementary-purchase arrangement with an awards supplier whereby the supplier agrees to sell an award (e.g., a watch or ring) at a price below the maximum amount specified by NCAA legislation with the understanding that the institution will make additional purchases of other unrelated items to enable the supplier to recover the costs for the original purchase. Such an arrangement would exceed the specific-value limitations placed on permissible awards.
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.5.3 Combining Values- An institution may not combine the value limits of awards given during in a sport the same season, or given to athletes who participate in more than one sport, to provide an award more expensive than permissible under separate application to some or all of its participating student-athletes.
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.5.4 Student Contribution to Purchase- The value of an award may not exceed specified value limits, and a student-athlete may not contribute to its purchase in order to meet those limits.
NCAA Educational Column- 8/5/02- 2002 Column No. 16 – NCAA Divisions I, II and III Bylaws 16.1.4 – Types of Awards, Awarding Agencies, Maximum Value and Numbers of Awards and 16.1.5.4 – Student- NCAA institutions should note that pursuant to Bylaws 16.1.4 and 16.1.5.4, the value of an award provided to a student-athlete may not exceed specified value limits and the student-athlete may not contribute to its purchase in order to meet those limits. In accordance with the legislation, an institution may not permit student-athletes to make financial contributions to the purchase of awards.
For example, if an institution would like to provide a student-athlete with an annual participation award that has a value of $175, the student-athlete is not permitted under NCAA legislation to contribute $25 so that the institution meets the $150 maximum value of the annual participation award. Further, if an institution chooses to provide an award with a value less than the maximum value permissible under NCAA legislation, it is not permissible for a student-athlete to make a financial contribution to upgrade the award.
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NCAA Bylaw 16.1.7 Expenses to Receive Non-Institutional Awards- A conference, an institution, the U.S. Olympic Committee, a national governing body (or the international equivalents) or the awarding agency may provide actual and necessary expenses for a student-athlete to receive a noninstitutional award or recognition for athletics or academic accomplishments. Actual and necessary expenses may be provided for the student-athlete’s family members to attend the recognition event or awards presentation. [R] (Adopted: 1/19/13 effective 8/1/13)
ELIGIBILITY
Please keep in mind that this is an abbreviated version of the eligibility rules. Only a few bylaws, interpretations and educational columns have been selected that specifically deal with eligibility in between terms and change in eligibility status at the conclusion of the fall term.
NCAA Bylaw 14.02.3 Business Day- A business day is any weekday that is not recognized as a national holiday, including any weekday during which an institution is closed for other reasons (e.g., holiday break).
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.1.1 Practice Prior to Initial Enrollment- A student-athlete may practice during the official vacation period immediately preceding initial enrollment, provided the student has been accepted by the institution for enrollment in a regular, full-time program of studies at the time of the individual’s initial participation; is no longer enrolled in the previous educational institution; and is eligible under all institutional and NCAA requirements.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.2.1.1 Competition Prior to Initial Enrollment- A student-athlete may compete during the official vacation period immediately preceding initial enrollment, provided the student has been accepted by the institution for enrollment in a regular, full-time program of studies at the time of the individual’s initial participation; is no longer enrolled in the previous educational institution; and is eligible under all institutional and NCAA requirements. [see Bylaw 16.8.2.5]
**Not applicable to incoming (freshman/transfer) football student-athletes for participation in a bowl game.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.7.2.1.2 Eligibility Between Terms- To be eligible for competition that takes place between terms, the student-athlete shall:
(a) Have been registered for the required minimum full-time load (see Bylaw 14.1.7.2) at the conclusion of the term immediately preceding the date of competition, if the student is continuing enrollment; or
(b) Be accepted for enrollment as a regular full-time student for the regular term immediately following if the student is either continuing enrollment or beginning enrollment (see Bylaw 14.1.9).
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.8.3- Postseason Event Following Last Term of Eligibility- A student-athlete who is eligible during the term in which degree work is completed (or is eligible as a graduate, per Bylaw 14.1.8) remains eligible for any postseason event that begins within 60 days after the end of the term in which the student completes the requirements for the degree (or graduate eligibility).
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 3/14/12- Eligibility for Practice and Regular-Season Competition Following Last Term of Eligibility (I)- The academic and membership affairs staff confirmed that a student-athlete who completes his or her degree requirements may participate in practice and regular-season competition that precedes a postseason event that begins within 60 days after the end of the term [including an academic year interim term (e.g., mini-term, J-term)] in which the student completes the requirements for the degree (or graduate eligibility), provided the student has not exhausted his or her five years of eligibility
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9 Change in Eligibility Status- If a student-athlete’s academic eligibility changes at the end of a quarter or semester, the student-athlete shall become eligible or ineligible to compete on the date his or her eligibility officially is certified by the appropriate institutional authority. In a case in which the student becomes eligible at the end of the term, the earliest date on which the student can become eligible to compete is the day after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for the term that is ending. In a case in which the student becomes ineligible, the ineligibility shall become effective not later than the first day of classes of the following semester or quarter. In any case, if the student-athlete is academically eligible to compete at the time of the student-athlete’s or the institution’s first participation in an NCAA championship, he or she shall remain eligible for the remainder of the championship.
NCAA Educational Column- 12/15/03- Bylaw 14.1.10 – Change in Eligibility Status- Pursuant to NCAA Division I Bylaw 14.1.10, if a student-athlete’s eligibility changes at the end of a quarter or semester, the student-athlete shall become eligible or ineligible to compete on the date his or her eligibility officially is certified by the appropriate institutional authority. In a case in which the student-athlete becomes eligible at the end of the term, the earliest date on which the student can become eligible to compete is the day after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for the term that is ending. In a case in which the student becomes ineligible, the ineligibility shall become effective not later than the first day of classes of the following semester or quarter. Please note that if a student-athlete’s eligibility changes at the end of a semester or quarter, that student-athlete shall become eligible or ineligible on the date that his or her particular eligibility is officially certified by the appropriate institutional authority. Further, the certification of eligibility does not have to occur on the same day for all student-athletes at the certifying institution, but it may not be earlier than the day after the date of the last scheduled examination for the term that is ending or later than the first day of classes of the following semester or quarter.
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 12/17/97- Student-Athlete Receiving Travel Expenses When Serving Residence Requirement- Student-Athlete Receiving Travel Expenses When Serving Residence Requirement: (I/II/III) The membership services staff confirmed that a transfer student-athlete who is serving a residence requirement may receive travel expenses prior to the conclusion of the term to attend a competition that occurs after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for that term, provided the institution can certify that the student-athlete will fulfill the obligations of the residence requirement during that trip, and the student-athlete does not represent the institution in competition until the day after the date of the last scheduled examination.
NCAA Official Interpretation- 11/19/92- Student-athlete receiving travel expenses when eligibility status changes- Student-athlete receiving travel expenses when eligibility status changes. A student-athlete who will become academically eligible at the end of a term may receive travel expenses prior to the conclusion of the term to attend a competition that occurs after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for that term, provided the institution can certify that the student-athlete will become eligible during that trip, and the student-athlete does not represent the institution in competition until the day after the date of the last scheduled examination.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9.1.1- Institutions with Official Posting Date for Grades- An institution whose official posting date for grades falls within three days of the first day of classes for the following academic term shall have three business days from the official date on which grades must be posted to certify that student-athletes have satisfactorily completed at least six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit the during preceding regular academic term (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1) and to certify that student-athletes have satisfied the grade-point average requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.3. For those institutions that post grades on a rolling basis, the three-business day period shall begin within the first week of classes
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9.1.2- Institutions with no Official Posting Date for Grades- An institution whose official submission date for grades falls on or after the first day of classes for the following academic term shall have five business days from the date on which grades are submitted to certify that student-athletes have satisfactorily completed at least six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1) and to certify that student-athletes have maintained grade-point average requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.3.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9.1.3- Certification of Eligibility- During the three-business day or five-business day period, a student-athlete who is otherwise eligible under NCAA, conference and institutional requirements, shall be permitted to compete. If during the exception period, a student-athlete is certified ineligible, the student-athlete shall be declared immediately ineligible for competition. If the three-business day or five-business day period concludes prior to the certification of eligibility for any student-athlete, the student-athlete shall be ineligible until such time the student-athlete is declared eligible for competition.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9.1.4- Notification to NCAA National Office– As a condition of the exception, an institution shall provide to the NCAA national office, the number of student-athletes who were ultimately declared ineligible for the academic term but competed during the exception period.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9.2 Eligibility for Postseason Competition — Between Terms- To be eligible to compete in a postseason event (e.g., conference tournament, bowl game, National Invitation Tournament, NCAA championship) that occurs between regular terms (including summer) a student-athlete shall have satisfactorily completed six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term of full-time enrollment (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1).
NCAA Official Interpretation- 7/29/13- Certification of Eligibility for Postseason Competition between Terms (I)- The committee confirmed that a student-athlete who is certified eligible for a multiday postseason event (e.g., conference track and field championship) that occurs between regular academic terms remains eligible for the entire event, provided the event concludes prior to the start of the next regular academic term. If an insufficient number of grades were posted for a student-athlete to certified eligible based on the immediately preceding term and he or she will participate in another postseason event (e.g., NCAA championship) that occurs during the same break between terms, the institution must recertify the student-athlete with grades available at 5 p.m. local time (where the institution is located) on the day prior to the start of the additional postseason event
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9.2.1 Less than Full-Time Enrollment- A student-athlete who was enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies pursuant to an exception or waiver during the term immediately prior to the postseason event is subject to the following requirements:
(a) If the student-athlete was enrolled in at least six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit; or
(b) If the student-athlete was enrolled in less than six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed the number of semester or quarter hours of academic credit in which he or she was enrolled.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.1.9.2.2 Timing of Certification- A student-athlete’s eligibility under this provision shall be determined within 14-business days (see Bylaw 14.02.2) (regardless of the date in which grades are posted or submitted) after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for the term that is ending. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14-business days, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the immediately preceding regular academic term (e.g., fall term if certifying for a bowl game), provided a sufficient number of grades from the term have been posted. All grades posted in accordance with institutional procedures by 5 p.m. local time (where the institution is located) on the day prior to the postseason event must be considered. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14-business days and an insufficient number of grades from the immediately preceding term have been posted, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the most recent regular academic term for which a sufficient number of grades have been posted.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.1(c) Fulfillment of Credit-Hour Requirements- Satisfactory completion of six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit the preceding regular academic term (e.g., fall semester, winter quarter) in which the student-athlete has been enrolled full-time at any collegiate institution (see Bylaw 14.1.9 for postseason certification)
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 8/24/12- Graduation and Credit-Hour Requirements (I)- The academic and membership affairs staff confirmed that a student-athlete who receives a baccalaureate degree is not required to have met the credit-hour requirements in the preceding regular academic term or terms in order to be eligible for competition in the regular academic term immediately following the receipt of the degree.
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 2/9/12- Use of Credits Earned During an Interim Term for Midyear Certification (I)- The academic and membership affairs staff determined that credits earned during an academic year interim term (e.g., J-term, mini-term) may be used for purposes of a midyear certification to satisfy the 24/36-hour, 18/27-hour and percentage of degree requirements, regardless of how the credits appear on the student-athlete’s transcript (e.g., as part of the interim term or either the preceding or immediately following regular academic term). Further, such credits must be used for purposes of midyear certification of the grade-point-average requirement. Finally, the institution must document that the interim term credits were satisfactorily completed prior to the start of the regular academic term immediately following the interim term. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.1.3 Regaining Eligibility (24-hour rule EXCEPT BASEBALL)- For purposes of Bylaw 14.4.3.1-(a), a student-athlete who does not meet the 24-semester or 36-quarter credit-hour requirement prior to the start of his or her second year of collegiate enrollment (third semester, fourth quarter), may become eligible at the beginning of the next academic term by successfully completing 24-semester or 36-quarter hours during the previous two semesters or three quarters
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NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.2.3 Timing of Certification (Percentage of Degree EXCEPT BASEBALL)- A student-athlete’s eligibility under this provision shall be determined on the basis of the student’s academic record in existence at the beginning of that student’s third or later academic year (fifth semester or seventh quarter) of full-time enrollment. If the student-athlete is ineligible under the provisions of the progress-toward-degree legislation at the beginning of that term, eligibility may be reinstated at the beginning of any other regular term of that student’s specific academic year, based on the student’s later fulfillment of the necessary degree requirements.
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NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.3.2 Timing of Certification (GPA EXCEPT BASEBALL)- A student-athlete’s eligibility under this provision shall be certified by the first date of competition or contest of each regular term of an academic year beginning with that student’s second or later academic year (third semester or fourth quarter) of full-time enrollment. The certification shall be based on the student-athlete’s academic record in existence at the beginning of the applicable term.
NCAA Educational Column- 3/22/10- Designation of Degree Program and Timing of Degree Change (I)- NCAA Division I member institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.1.6, a student-athlete must designate his or her degree program prior to participating in competition that occurs during or immediately before the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter). This requirement applies to all student-athletes, including two- and four-year college transfers.
Further, the designated degree program as of the beginning of the third year (fifth semester or seventh quarter) or later academic year of full-time enrollment must be used to certify the student-athlete’s percentage-toward-degree requirements for that term.
For example, if a student-athlete has not designated a degree program on the first day of classes of his or her fifth full-time semester, it is permissible for the student-athlete to declare engineering as his or her degree program before the first competition and be certified as eligible for the term, provided the student-athlete is meeting percentage of degree requirements for the engineering degree program.
Alternatively, a student-athlete who has designated marketing as his or her degree program as of the beginning of the fifth full-time semester and is certified as not eligible due to deficiencies in progress-toward-degree requirements may not be subsequently recertified during that term as eligible after changing to a different degree program, even if the change occurs before the student-athlete’s first competition in that term and the student-athlete is meeting all progress-toward-degree requirements in the new degree program. The member institution would need to file a progress toward degree waiver for the student-athlete to be eligible for competition during that term.
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NCAA Bylaws 14.5.4.1.1, 14.5.4.2.5, 14.5.5.5, 14.5.6.4 Baseball and Basketball — Midyear Enrollee- A student-athlete that transfers to the certifying institution as a full-time student after the conclusion of the institution’s first term of the academic year, shall not be eligible for competition until the ensuing academic year.
ENTERTAINMENT
NCAA Bylaw 16.7.1 Entertainment in Conjunction with Practice or Competition- An institution, conference or the NCAA may provide reasonable entertainment (but may not provide cash for such entertainment) to student-athletes in conjunction with practice or competition. [R] (Revised: 1/19/13 effective 8/1/13)
NCAA Staff Interpretation- 8/30/13- Student-Athlete Entertainment in Conjunction with Representing the Institution (I)- The academic and membership affairs staff determined that a student-athlete may receive reasonable entertainment expenses in conjunction with representing a member institution in a noncompetitive event from the member institution, conference, the NCAA or the outside sponsor of the event.
LODGING and MEALS
NCAA Bylaw 16.5.2 Permissible- Identified housing and meal benefits incidental to a student’s participation in intercollegiate athletics that may be financed by the institution are:
(e) Vacation-Period Expenses. The institution may provide the cost of room and board to student-athletes (during official institutional vacation periods) in the following circumstances. If an institution does not provide a meal to its student-athletes under such circumstances, a cash allowance may be provided (except for the permissible additional meal as described below), not to exceed the amount provided by the institution to institutional staff members on away-from-campus trips:
(1) Student-athletes who are required to remain on the institution’s campus for organized practice sessions or competition during the institution’s official vacation period. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of room and board may not be provided by the institution, other than to permit the student-athlete to participate in team meals incidental to practice sessions;
(2) Student-athletes who return to campus during the institution’s official vacation period occurring during a regular academic term (not including vacation periods between terms) from institutional competition. Under such circumstances, room and board expenses may be provided beginning with the student-athlete’s arrival on campus until the institution’s regular dormitories and dining facilities reopen. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of room and board may not be provided by the institution; or
(3) Student-athletes who return to campus during the institution’s official vacation period between regular academic terms (e.g., summer-vacation period) from institutional competition that occurs at the end of the institution’s playing and practice season or a segment thereof. Under such circumstances, room and board expenses may be provided for not more than a 48-hour period, beginning with the student-athlete’s return to campus. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of room and board may not be provided by the institution.
(4) An institution, may provide an additional meal (as opposed to the cash equivalent) to student-athletes to meet nutritional needs as a benefit incidental to participation during each day of any vacation period, provided the student-athlete is required to remain on campus to be involved in practice or competition.
TRAVEL
This is an area where an institution will use its discretion to determine what reasonable financial assistance may be provided to student-athletes to cover actual and necessary expenses.
NCAA Bylaw 16.8.1 Permissible- An institution, conference or the NCAA may provide actual and necessary expenses to a student-athlete to represent the institution in practice and competition (including expenses for activities/travel that are incidental to practice or competition). In order to receive competition-related expenses, the student-athlete must be eligible for competition. [D] (Revised: 1/19/13 effective 8/1/13)
NCAA Educational Column- 11/14/13- Travel Expenses for Practice and Competition (I)– NCAA Division I member institutions should note that, with the adoption of NCAA Division I Proposal No. RWG-16-7, an institution may provide actual and necessary expenses to a student-athlete to represent the institution in practice and competition, including travel expenses incidental to practice or competition. This provides member institutions flexibility when determining which travel expenses may be reasonably considered incidental to practice or competition, including expenses for student-athletes who do not travel with the team to or from competition during vacation periods (e.g., travel from the competition site to home prior to returning to campus) and travel to the institution for purposes of engaging in required practice activities after the student-athlete’s initial arrival on campus for the academic year. Institutions should note the following specific limitations when applying the legislation governing travel for practice or competition:
1. To receive competition-related expenses, the student-athlete must be eligible for the away-from-home competition, even if practice activities will also be associated with the travel.
2. An institution may provide travel expenses only if the student-athlete actually incurs such expenses.
3. Travel expenses must be based on the transportation actually used by the student-athlete.
4. An institution may not provide expenses for a prospective student-athlete’s initial arrival at the institution except for transportation from the nearest bus or train station or major airport to the campus. A continuing student-athlete may not receive expenses for his or her initial arrival at the institution for each academic year.
5. In bowl subdivision football, an institution may not provide expenses to a student-athlete who is a midyear enrollee (freshman or transfer) for participation in a postseason bowl game that occurs before or during the student-athlete’s initial term of full-time enrollment at the institution.
Finally, an institution may not provide a student-athlete cash for anticipated travel expenses unless the amount provided does not exceed the student-athlete’s actual travel costs and institutional policies and procedures applicable to all student-athletes permit providing cash for travel expenses prior to the student-athlete incurring the expense.
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NCAA Bylaw 16.8.1.1 Incidental Expenses at NCAA Championships, National Governing Body Championships in Emerging Sports and Postseason Bowl Games– An institution may provide $30 per day to each member of a team to cover unitemized incidental expenses during travel and practice for NCAA championship events or national governing body championship events in emerging sports, during a period limited to the maximum number of days of per diem allowed for the involved championship or, for postseason bowl games, for a period not to exceed 10 days. The $30 per day may be provided only after the team departs for or reports to the site of the championship or postseason bowl contest. [R] (Adopted: 10/21/13)
An institution may not provide a student-athlete cash for anticipated travel expenses unless the amount provided does not exceed the student-athlete’s actual travel costs. Please review institutional policies and procedures applicable to ensure it is permissible to provide cash for travel expenses prior to the student-athlete incurring the expense.
Daily Compliance Item 