Transcript Document

SESSION OVERVIEW
Review and apply select financial aid legislation.

Counter status.

Period of the award.

Academic awards.

Reduction or cancellation of award.
Examine case studies that practically apply the
legislation.
Discuss institutional policies and procedures and share
best practices.
COUNTER
NCAA Bylaw 15.02.3 defines a “counter” as a studentathlete that:
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Is receiving financial aid based in any degree on
athletics ability, or
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Is receiving institutional financial aid that has not
been certified as being granted without regard to
athletics ability.
PERIOD OF AWARD

Begins when a student-athlete receives any benefits
as part of the grant-in-aid on the first day of classes for
a particular academic term, or the first day of practice
whichever is earlier.
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Ends at the conclusion of the period set forth in the
financial aid agreement.
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Decrease not permitted from time prospective studentathlete or student-athlete signs financial aid
agreement until the conclusion of the period set forth
in the agreement.
Bylaws 15.02.6 and 15.3.4.3.3
PERIOD OF AWARD
(CONTINUED)
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Financial aid based on athletics ability shall not be
awarded in excess of one academic year.
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An institution may award financial aid for an academic
year or part thereof.
• Example: 2014-15 academic year or 2014 fall term.
Bylaws 15.3.3, 15.3.3.1 and 15.3.3.2
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Criteria:

Recipient qualifies for academic award that is part of
institution’s normal arrangements for academic
scholarships pursuant to minimum institutional criteria;
and
• Upper 20% of high school graduating class;
• High school cumulative GPA of 3.500; or
• Minimum 100 ACT or 1140 SAT.
Bylaw 15.02.4.3-(a)-(1)-(a)
OR
ACADEMIC AWARDS
(CONTINUED)
Criteria:

Recipient qualifies for academic award that is part of
institution’s normal arrangements for academic
scholarships pursuant to minimum institutional
criteria; and
•
•
Has completed at least one academic year in college;
and
Cumulative GPA of 3.300 for all academic work
completed during collegiate enrollment that results in
degree credits at the awarding institution.
EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS
The Facts:
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Student-athlete is an incoming soccer student-athlete.
Ranked 22nd in graduating high school class.
SAT of 1120.
Cumulative GPA is 3.70.
Student-Athlete received the following aid package:
• Athletics award = $10,000.
• Academic award = $15,000.
EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS
The Facts:
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Student-athlete is now a continuing student-athlete,
majoring in marketing.
Student-athlete’s GPA after Year 1 is 3.0.
Student-athlete received the following aid package:
• Athletics award = $12,000.
• Academic award = $15,000.
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Exempted under Bylaw 15.02.4.3-(a)-(1)-(a) as an
incoming student-athlete.
EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS
The Facts:
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Student-athlete is a transfer basketball studentathlete.
Enrolled full time at Institution No. 1.
• 2012-13 & 2013-14 academic years.
Cumulative GPA 3.40.
Student-athlete received the following aid package:
• Athletics award = $8,500.
• Academic award = $17,500.
EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS
Two options.
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High school record:
• Ranked in upper 20% of graduating class or cumulative GPA
of at least 3.500 (based on maximum 4.000); or
• Minimum ACT score of 100 or minimum SAT score of 1140.
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College record:
• At least one academic year in college; and
• Achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.300 for all academic work
at the awarding institution.
EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS
What is the review process on your campus?
Who is involved?
Are your policies and procedures documented and
evaluated?
REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION
Financial aid based on athletics ability may be reduced or
cancelled during the period of the award, if the studentathlete:
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Renders himself or herself ineligible for competition;
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Fraudulently misrepresents himself or herself;
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Engages in serious misconduct; or
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Voluntarily withdraws from a sport.
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Student-athlete’s aid may not be awarded to another studentathlete during the same term.
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Student-athlete’s aid may be awarded to another studentathlete in next term.
Bylaw 15.3.4.1
NONATHLETIC CONDITIONS
Financial aid agreement may include nonathletically
related conditions by which aid may be reduced or
canceled during the period of the award.
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Example: Compliance with team rules, compliance with
academic polices, GPA requirement, study hall
requirement.
Bylaw 15.3.4.1.1
FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION
Student-athlete is awarded aid on basis of declaring intent to
participate in a sport by:
 Signing an NLI, or
 Application or agreement.
Action on part of student-athlete to not participate:
 Not reporting for practice,
 Making token appearances.
Institution is permitted to cancel or reduce aid.
Bylaw 15.3.4.1.2
INCREASE, REDUCTION, CANCELLATION NOT
PERMITTED
Institutional financial aid based on athletics may not be
increased, decreased or cancelled during the period of
award:
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On the basis of an student-athlete’s athletics ability,
performance or contribution to the team;
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Because of an injury, illness or physical or mental medical
condition; or
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For any other athletics reason.
Bylaw 15.3.4.3
HEARING OPPORTUNITY
• Institution’s regular financial aid authority shall notify in
writing.
• Within 14 consecutive calendar days from the date of
notification of the reduction or cancellation.
• Must include a copy of the established policies and
procedures for conducting the hearing.
• Hearing must be conducted within 30 days of receiving the
request.
Bylaw 15.3.2.4
REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF AID
The Facts:
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Football prospective student-athlete signs financial
aid agreement February 4.
Prospective student-athlete is notified in spring 2015
of his FAFSA award.
Cost of attendance at the institution is $35,000.
Prospective student-athlete received the following aid
package:
• Athletics award = $22,000.
• Pell grant = $17,500.
REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF AID
The Facts:
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Cross country student-athlete was awarded $5,000
athletics scholarship for the 2014-15 academic year.
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Fall 2014 $2,500.
Spring 2015 $2,500.
Student-athlete reported for preseason but has not
attended practice or competed for three weeks.
Coach has repeatedly tried to contact student-athlete
unsuccessfully.
Team captain addressed behavior and student-athlete still
has not attended practice or competed.
BEST PRACTICES
Hearing Opportunity
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Institution’s regular financial aid authority shall notify in writing.
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Within 14 consecutive calendar days from the date of
notification of the reduction or cancellation.
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Must include a copy of the established policies and procedures
for conducting the hearing.
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Hearing must be conducted within 30 days of receiving the
request.
Bylaw 15.3.2.4
BEST PRACTICES
Nonathletically Related Conditions
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Financial aid agreement may include nonathletically
related conditions by which aid may be reduced or
canceled during the period of the award.
•
Example: Compliance with team rules, compliance with
academic polices, GPA requirement, study hall requirement.
Bylaw 15.3.4.1.1