Back to Library
For decades, the National Letter of Intent (NLI) has been a milestone moment for high school student-athletes committing to compete at the collegiate level. However, recent changes in the NCAA landscape have shifted focus away from the NLI as a requirement for athletic participation at NCAA schools.
Instead, the NCAA now emphasizes other critical eligibility steps, such as completing the NCAA Amateurism Certification. This certification ensures student-athletes meet eligibility standards and maintain amateur status, a key requirement for participation in college athletics.
What’s Changing with the NLI?
The National Letter of Intent program was initially designed to formalize commitments between student-athletes and colleges. While symbolic and still meaningful for many, its role in eligibility has diminished. Student-athletes now have increased flexibility to navigate their college commitments without being locked into the traditional NLI agreement.
Student-athletes will now sign only an athletic grant-in-aid, which is a legally binding financial aid agreement with their chosen college or university. This adjustment streamlines the process by eliminating the National Letter of Intent (NLI), while the grant-in-aid remains equally significant in terms of financial commitment.
Completing the NCAA Amateurism Certification
The NCAA Amateurism Certification process verifies that a student-athlete has maintained their amateur status throughout high school. To complete it:
Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
Answer questions about your athletic and academic history, including any potential involvement with professional teams or agents.
Monitor your progress through the NCAA Eligibility Portal to ensure your status is finalized before the season starts.
Why These Changes Matter
The elimination of the NLI requirement simplifies the recruiting process, allowing student-athletes and colleges to focus more on aligning mutual goals. Meanwhile, amateurism certification ensures a fair playing field across NCAA athletics.
If you’re a student-athlete or parent navigating these changes, it’s critical to stay informed about NCAA eligibility rules.
These updates represent a shift toward more flexibility and fairness, supporting student-athletes on their path to college success.