National Signing Day

One of the most exciting moments for a student-athlete is receiving a verbal scholarship offer. Years of hard work have led to this moment. However, nothing is official until signing day when you sign your financial aid agreement, formerly known as the National Letter of Intent (NLI). This is an agreement between the NCAA and a recruit to guarantee athletic aid. 

Big Changes to National Signing Day and the National Letter of Intent (NIL) 

In October 2024, the NCAA elected to eliminate the National Letter of Intent (NLI). The NLI has been a major part of the college recruiting process for 60 years, starting in 1964. The National Letter of Intent (NLI) will be replaced with financial aid agreements between the NCAA and student-athletes. The NCAA Division I Council has endorsed this change, which will affect the Class of 2025 and those that follow. 

This change comes after the NCAA announced changes to scholarship limits, the D2 recruiting calendar, transfer portal and more. For more information, visit our blog. 

National Signing Day

National Signing Day is one of the most thrilling and unforgettable moments in an athlete’s recruiting journey. It’s the day when dreams become reality as athletes officially commit to the college programs they’ve worked so hard to join. Signing that letter not only symbolizes their athletic achievements but also their journey to the next big chapter of life.

NCSA plays a crucial role in making this dream possible. By guiding recruits and their families through the recruiting process, from the first connection with college coaches to building a standout profile and navigating offers, NCSA ensures that athletes are ready for this milestone. National Signing Day is about celebrating hard work and looking ahead to an amazing future, and with NCSA’s support, athletes are fully equipped to take on this exciting new adventure.

Below are updated signing dates for each sport for student-athletes signing in 2024-2025 for 2025-2026 enrollment: 

Early Signing Period 

Excluding men’s and women’s soccer and men’s water polo, all sports have what’s called an early signing period. This is the first time throughout the year high school seniors can sign their financial aid agreement and lock down their scholarship offer.  

What are the advantages of signing early? If an athlete is confident in their school choice, signing early allows them to wrap up recruiting earlier and focus on their senior year.  

Athletes don’t have to sign during the early period if they are holding out for an offer from one of their favorite schools. If you do have an offer and you don’t sign during the early Signing Period, however, that coach may question your commitment and consider giving your spot to an athlete who’s a sure thing. Make sure you’re ready to tell a coach why you didn’t sign if you opt out. 

Regular Signing Period 

This is the period of time in which athletes who have verbal offers from college coaches will make their athletic scholarships official by signing their NCAA financial aid agreement. The first day of the Signing Period is Signing Day, and it’s marked by celebrations, reveals and a lot of college gear. Remember: Athletes can sign with their school of choice on any day of the Signing Period. Signing Day just marks the first day of the full Signing Period. 

The Process of Signing

When your student-athlete receives a written offer of athletic aid, the appropriate Signing Period should be checked. If the Signing Period has begun for their sport, they must sign within seven days of the issue date (noted in the agreement). 

If they receive the written offer before the Signing Period window opens, they must wait until 7 a.m. of the first date of the period. The student-athlete’s parent or legal guardian must also sign; college coaches cannot be present during the signing. 

Remember, while many student-athletes sign on National Signing Day, many others receive and sign after the first signing date. 

Many student-athletes need more time to weigh their options before making such a big decision, or they’re waiting to see if a better offer will come. However, this can be a gamble because while they may get better scholarship offers, they may lose what is on the table. 

It’s a fine line and there is no right timetable. The recruiting process is different for every family–right up to signing day. 

Signing Period rules for 2024-25 school year

All athletes outside of D1 football and men’s and women’s D1 basketball players can begin signing offers on November 13, 2024 and continue to sign anytime through August 1, 2025. 

While much of the recruiting process happens long before November of your senior year, the fact that athletes will be ending their recruiting by signing written offers earlier means recruiting in the lower divisions will likely speed up as well. 

In the past, NCAA D2, D3 and NAIA schools would wait for D1 programs to complete their recruiting classes before ramping up their signings. Now that D1 schools will be completing their signings earlier, expect all other division levels to be busy over the holidays instead of mid to late spring. 

Signing means two things:

1. You are committed to one year at the university. You do not need to sign another agreement after the first year. The school is required to let you know if your athletic aid is being renewed after the first year. 
2. Your recruiting journey is over. Once you sign a written offer, no other schools can recruit you, and you are not permitted to contact coaches at other institutions. 

Why only one academic year?

Athletic scholarships are renewable each year at the college’s discretion and the student-athlete is notified annually regarding whether or not the athletic aid has been extended. You are not required to sign a new agreement each year.

It is also important to note that the agreement encompasses a full academic year and not only the athletic season. 

How do I get a NCAA Financial aid agreement?

The college providing the athletic aid will send you the official agreement through one of the following ways; express mail, courier service, regular mail, email, or fax. 

Signing Requirements

You can only sign during the designated period for your sport outlined above. If you sign outside the appropriate period, the agreement will be considered void.  The student-athlete and a parent or legal guardian must sign within 14 days of issuance. Student athletes may sign their agreement before being certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center, however if they are deemed a non-qualifier, it is rendered void.  

Is there anything else I should know about an NCAA Financial Aid Agreement?

There are quite a few rules and regulations governing the voluntary program and here are a few to keep in mind:

• The college coach cannot be present if the agreement is signed off campus.
• Student-athletes are able to sign while on campus for an official visit.
• Student-athletes are allowed to make a verbal commitment and then sign the agreement with a different school since the verbal agreement is non-binding.
• The agreement does not guarantee playing time, only a financial reward for one academic year.
• Student-athletes cannot sign an agreement for two sports since the commitment is towards the academic institution and not a coach or specific sports team.
• If the student-athlete is under the age of 21, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the agreement.
• If the student-athlete changes their mind about attending the institution with which they signed an agreement, the basic penalty is a loss of one year of eligibility.
• The agreement is binding even if the coach who offered the letter leaves the college.

What to consider before signing an agreement:

• What kind of education and college experience will you receive?
• What kind of role will you have on the team (starter or on the bench for a few years)?
• What scholarship amount have you been offered?
• How much of your tuition and expenses will be covered by the scholarship?
• Whether you’d enjoy attending the school if you weren’t playing sports?

Keep in mind that signing a financial aid agreement does not mean your student-athlete has been admitted into the university. or that they’ve received their amateur certification from the NCAA Eligibility Center. Athletes must complete the eligibility process and meet the school’s admission requirements to officially be enrolled and compete for a college program.

When does a written offer of athletic aid become null and void?  

• You are not admitted to the institution
• You fail to meet the eligibility requirements to receive athletic aid
• The institution decides to cut your sport

If your athletic aid is no longer available, you are called for service in the US Armed Forces or participate in an official church mission for at least 12 months, the institution can provide you a written statement verifying this, and your agreement will be declared null and void.