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Athletic Scholarship Example

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Below is an example of an Athletic Letter of Intent / Scholarship Offer.  For many recruits, this is the ultimate goal.  Unfortunately, very few student-athletes and families fully understand that an athletic scholarship is a contract with a number of conditions.  Keep in mind that this is simply an example and scholarship offers will vary.

We encourage you to read through the example thoroughly, but here are a few details to pay close attention to:

Athletic Letter of Intent/Scholarship Offer

The following terms and conditions define an offer of an athletic scholarship for participation in the sport of baseball by NCSA University and the acceptance of that scholarship by Randy Taylor for the 2008-09 academic year.

I. AMOUNT OF OFFER:
This offer is a scholarship in the amount of  $ 8,736.00 which is equivalent to 70% of the tuition cost for the 2008-09 academic year only;  $ 4,368.00 will be applied to the Fall 2008 semester and $ 4,368.00 will be applied to the Spring 2009 semester.

II. QUALIFICATION FOR ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP

  1. The student-athlete must be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics upon enrollment at Smith University according to the Constitution and By-Laws of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Signing of this letter indicates intent only and does not guarantee admission to the College and/or eligibility to participate. If either condition is not met, both parties agree to void the agreement.
  2. The student-athlete agrees to follow all rules and regulations established by the college for students as detailed in the Student Handbook and shall sign a supplementary agreement as required by the Dean of Enrollment Services.
  3. The student-athlete further agrees to follow all rules for participation in the scholarship sport as determined by the head coach. These rules include, but are not limited to:
    • The student-athlete will not use drugs, alcohol or tobacco, at any time, while under contract.
    • The student-athlete will not use expletive, offensive or derogatory language at any time.
    • Physical or verbal acts of intimidation or violence by the student-athlete will not be tolerated.
    • All team members are required to attend team meetings, functions, practices, games and road trips—arriving on time for each. Student-athletes are excused from class only to participate in regularly scheduled games. Every effort will be made to schedule practices and team functions so that they do not interfere with class meetings.
    • All team members will be expected to participate in team community service projects and to work on team fund-raising events.
  4. The student shall obey all federal, state and local laws and ordinances.
  5. Participation in a sport other than the scholarship sport is at the discretion of the head coach of the scholarship sport.

III. CONTINUANCE AND/OR DISCONTINUANCE OF SCHOLARSHIP

  1. The student-athlete shall not have his/her scholarship discontinued prior to the end of the academic year for poor athletic performance.
  2. The student-athlete shall not have his/her scholarship discontinued prior to the end of the academic year if the student is prevented from participating in the scholarship sport because of illness, injury or other genuine emergency.
  3. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she becomes academically ineligible to participate in athletics or the scholarship sport according to the NAIA. The student should familiarize him/herself with these regulations.
  4. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she voluntarily withdraws from the team or is dismissed from the team for just cause. To emphasize: Being removed from the team for lack of playing ability does not constitute just cause.
  5. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she breaks any of the terms of this agreement; is convicted of violating federal, state or local law other than a minor traffic offense; is found to have violated the rules established for the conduct of students at large at Smith University as detailed in the Student Handbook or breaks any of the rules established by the head coach of the scholarship sport.
  6. The student-athlete may have his/her scholarship discontinued immediately if he/she is discovered to have fraudulently misrepresented prior academic records or any other information requested during the admissions and/or financial aid process.
  7. Discontinuance of the scholarship would mean the student-athlete would immediately be responsible for paying prorated balances which may result.
  8. This scholarship is granted for the 2008-09 academic year only. The student-athlete must agree to attend both the Fall and Spring semester regardless of what semester the sport is played. Continuance beyond the Spring 2009 semester is at the discretion of the college and/or head coach.
  9. This offer does not guarantee a roster spot on the Patten University baseball team. The student-athlete shall not have his/her scholarship discontinued in the event the student-athlete does not make the final active roster.

This document represents an offer regarding only an athletic scholarship between Smith University and the student-athlete. The scholarship must be confirmed by an official award letter from the Financial Aid Office after completion of all documents required by the college. All Smith University Scholarships require a semester and cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0. Student-athletes who fail to maintain these grading standards will have their scholarships terminated at the end of the term in which they fell below the standards.

IV. APPEAL OF DISCONTINUANCE

  1. Discontinuance of scholarship for cause prior to the end of the 2008-09 academic year may be appealed by the student. A committee consisting of the Faculty Athletic Representative, the Director of Athletics, Director of Financial Aid and the Dean of Enrollment Services shall consider the appeal. If any member of this committee is unavailable or disqualifies him/herself from hearing an appeal, the Dean of Enrollment Services shall appoint a replacement to the committee. If the Dean of Enrollment Services is not able to head the appeal, the President of the College shall appoint his/her replacement.

VI. DECLARATION OF INTENT:
By signing below, I agree to attend Smith University during the 2008-09 academic year and to participate on the college’s intercollegiate team in the scholarship sport specified on page 1 of this agreement. I have read each of the forgoing conditions and understand each. I agree to abide by the conditions and to represent the college in a positive manner. I understand that if this letter is not signed and returned to the Head Baseball Coach by June 5, 2008 Smith University may elect to withdraw its offer:
 _________       __________       ________       _______,
2008
Name               Signature            SSN#              Date
As representatives of Smith University, the undersigned agree to offer the Athletic Scholarship described to the above named student for the 2008-09 academic year under the agreed-upon conditions.

_______________________            ___________
Head Coach                                       Date

_______________________            ___________
Director of Athletics                         Date

_______________________            ___________
Dean of Enrollment Services            Date

If you would like to take one step closer to an athletic scholarship, be sure your name is included in NCSA’s database for college coaches and start building your recruiting profile!

Did any aspect of the offer surprise you?  Let us know what you think!