NCAA Amateurism
To compete and receive scholarships as an NCAA athlete, you must maintain amateur status by meeting specific eligibility rules regarding compensation, endorsements, media appearances, and prize money, all of which are evaluated by the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure compliance.
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To compete and receive scholarships as an NCAA athlete, you must meet the definition of an amateur athlete and fulfill minimum academic requirements. The NCAA Eligibility Center/Clearinghouse evaluates athletes' amateurism status based on a series of questions about their participation on various teams.
Understanding NCAA amateurism rules is crucial, as many violations can occur before your status is formally reviewed. Learn how to request your final amateurism certification here.
NCAA Amateurism Rules
While NCAA amateurism rules can be complex, over 95% of recruits have no trouble meeting the requirements. Athletes with nontraditional athletic backgrounds should pay attention to the following key areas:
- Compensation: Athletes can receive compensation for actual and necessary expenses, such as travel team fees. However, excessive compensation can lead to violations.
- Media Appearances: Profiting from media appearances based on athletic ability or fame is prohibited. This includes advertising revenue from large social media followings.
- Endorsements: Expressly or implicitly endorsing commercial products or services for payment is a violation.
- Prize Money: Accepting prize money exceeding actual and necessary expenses is generally not allowed. Tennis players have an exception, allowing them to earn up to $10,000 per year.
By understanding these guidelines, athletes can avoid potential amateurism violations and maintain their NCAA eligibility.
What Does "Preliminary Certified" Mean?
This status means that the NCAA has reviewed your amateur status and determined that you currently meet the requirements to compete as an amateur athlete.
No further evaluation of your amateurism is anticipated at this time. However, this certification is not final, as it is contingent on the NCAA confirming that you also meet the necessary academic eligibility requirements. Once your academic status is verified, you will be fully cleared to compete in NCAA sports.
NCAA Amateurism Questionnaire
The NCAA amateurism questionnaire includes the following questions:
- Date of attendance
- School name
- Country
- Cost of attendance (free for U.S. high schools)
- Graduation date
- Residence during attendance
- Team name
- Contact information
- League affiliation
- Dates of participation
- Number of contests played
- Expenses received
- Received any money beyond actual and necessary expenses?
- Any team members received money beyond expenses?
- Signed any agreements to participate on teams?
- Any teams considered professional?
- Written or verbal agreement with an agent or agency?
- Accepted money from an agent or agency?
- Involved in advertisements or promotions?
- Accepted prize money beyond necessary expenses? (Tennis players have a $10,000/year exception)
- How did you learn about the school(s)?
- Who contacted you about attending?
- Official visits taken
- Used a recruiting service or individual for help with the recruiting process?
- Final Certified: The NCAA has determined you're eligible, pending academic review.
- Final Certified with Conditions: You must meet specific requirements set by the amateurism committee before competing.
- Final Not Certified: You're not considered an amateur athlete and are ineligible.
- Your questionnaire is incomplete, preventing the NCAA from determining your status.
- Preliminary Certified: You're cleared but haven't requested final certification.
- Preliminary Certified with Conditions: You must complete specific tasks to become eligible.
- Preliminary Not Certified: You're ineligible.
- Suspended Review: The review has been paused due to the school dropping you as a recruit. Contact the school for more information.
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