Overview of the National Letter of Intent (NLI) Program
The National Letter of Intent Program is administered by the Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA). Participating institutions agree to provide a prospective student-athlete who has signed an NLI with athletics aid for one academic year, provided the prospect is admitted to the institution and eligible for athletics aid under NCAA rules. In exchange, the prospect agrees to attend the institution for an entire academic year.
By signing an NLI, the prospect effectively ends the recruiting process since all other participating institutions are obligated to cease recruiting you. You have an obligation to notify any recruiter from a National Letter of Intent institution of the fact you have signed a National Letter of Intent.
Signing a National Letter of Intent (NLI)
Typically, you will only sign a National Letter of Intent prior to your initial enrollment at a four-year institution. You do not sign an NLI each year even if you are receiving athletics aid. Student-athletes who begin their academic careers at a four-year institution and then transfer to a junior college may also sign a National Letter of Intent if they plan on entering a second four-year institution.
Typically, the program does not allow student-athletes transferring to a four-year institution at mid-year to sign an NLI. An exception exists for mid-year junior college transfer student-athletes in the sport of football.
You are only permitted to sign a National Letter of Intent during the designated signing period(s) applicable to your sport. Furthermore, even within a designated signing period, you and your parent or legal guardian must sign the NLI within 14 days of the date it was issued to you.
Additional information on the NLI program can be found at www.national-letter.org.
