Awards and Benefits

Award
An item given in recognition of athletic participation or performance. Such awards are subject to limitations set forth by bylaw 16.1 (no cash)

Extra Benefit
Receipt of a benefit by student-athletes, their relatives, or friends is not an NCAA violation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the institution’s students, their relatives, friends, or to a particular segment of the student body (i.e. foreign or minority students) determined a basis unrelated to athletic ability.
Before Enrollment

Awards may include gift certificates and items that are not personalized so long as they are permissible by the rules of the amateur sports organization.

Awards Received While Enrolled | back to top
Awards may not include cash, gift certificates or a cash-equivalent award (p.162).

National Championships Awards | back to top
The total value of any single award received for a national championship may not exceed $300, and each permissible awarding agency is subject to a separate $300 limit per award. The awarding institution and conference may provide only one award for each championship to each student-athlete. (p. 163)

Regular Season Conference Championship vs.
Postseason Conference Championship | back to top
If the same school wins both, then the total value of both awards may not exceed $300. (p. 163)

Academic and Support Services | back to top
Services that may be financed by institutions are (p. 165):
• Tutoring expenses
• Drug-rehabilitation expenses
• Counseling for eating disorders
• Student development and career counseling
• Expenses to attend proceedings conducted by the institution and the cost of legal representation if necessary.

Preseason Practice Expenses | back to top
The institution may provide the cost of room and board to student-athletes who report for preseason practice before the start of the academic year, it being understood that the student-athlete has been accepted for admission to the institution at the time such benefits are received (p. 167).

Travel Apparel | back to top
An institution may not provide to student-athletes team travel outfits, blazers or other items of clothing that are not sports related practice or competition apparel.