DIVISION II FINANCIAL AID KATIE WILLETT

SESSION OVERVIEW Review and apply select financial aid legislation.  Counter status.  Period of the award.  Academic awards.  Reduction or cancellation of award. Examine case studies that practically apply the legislation. Discuss institutional policies and procedures and share best practices.

FINANCIAL AID LEGISLATION

COUNTER NCAA Bylaw defines a “counter” as a student- athlete that:  Is receiving financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability, or  Is receiving institutional financial aid that has not been certified as being granted without regard to athletics ability.

PERIOD OF AWARD  Begins when a student-athlete receives any benefits as part of the grant-in-aid on the first day of classes for a particular academic term, or the first day of practice whichever is earlier.  Ends at the conclusion of the period set forth in the financial aid agreement.  Decrease not permitted from time prospective student- athlete or student-athlete signs financial aid agreement until the conclusion of the period set forth in the agreement. Bylaws and

PERIOD OF AWARD (CONTINUED)  Financial aid based on athletics ability shall not be awarded in excess of one academic year.  An institution may award financial aid for an academic year or part thereof. Example: academic year or 2014 fall term. Bylaws , and

ACADEMIC AWARDS Criteria:  Recipient qualifies for academic award that is part of institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships pursuant to minimum institutional criteria; and Upper 20% of high school graduating class; High school cumulative GPA of 3.500; or Minimum 100 ACT or 1140 SAT. Bylaw (a)-(1)-(a) OR

ACADEMIC AWARDS (CONTINUED) Criteria:  Recipient qualifies for academic award that is part of institution’s normal arrangements for academic scholarships pursuant to minimum institutional criteria; and Has completed at least one academic year in college; and Cumulative GPA of for all academic work completed during collegiate enrollment that results in degree credits at the awarding institution.

EXEMPTED INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID – ACADEMIC AWARDS CASE STUDIES

EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS The Facts:  Student-athlete is an incoming soccer student-athlete.  Ranked 22 nd in graduating high school class.  SAT of  Cumulative GPA is  Student-Athlete received the following aid package: Athletics award = $10,000. Academic award = $15,000.

EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS The Facts:  Student-athlete is now a continuing student-athlete, majoring in marketing.  Student-athlete’s GPA after Year 1 is 3.0.  Student-athlete received the following aid package: Athletics award = $12,000. Academic award = $15,000.  Exempted under Bylaw (a)-(1)-(a) as an incoming student-athlete.

EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS The Facts:  Student-athlete is a transfer basketball student- athlete.  Enrolled full time at Institution No & academic years.  Cumulative GPA  Student-athlete received the following aid package: Athletics award = $8,500. Academic award = $17,500.

EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS Two options.  High school record: Ranked in upper 20% of graduating class or cumulative GPA of at least (based on maximum 4.000); or Minimum ACT score of 100 or minimum SAT score of  College record: At least one academic year in college; and Achieved a cumulative GPA of for all academic work at the awarding institution.

EXEMPTING ACADEMIC AWARDS What is the review process on your campus? Who is involved? Are your policies and procedures documented and evaluated?

REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF AID LEGISLATION

REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION Financial aid based on athletics ability may be reduced or cancelled during the period of the award, if the student- athlete:  Renders himself or herself ineligible for competition;  Fraudulently misrepresents himself or herself;  Engages in serious misconduct; or  Voluntarily withdraws from a sport.  Student-athlete’s aid may not be awarded to another student- athlete during the same term.  Student-athlete’s aid may be awarded to another student- athlete in next term. Bylaw

NONATHLETIC CONDITIONS Financial aid agreement may include nonathletically related conditions by which aid may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award.  Example: Compliance with team rules, compliance with academic polices, GPA requirement, study hall requirement. Bylaw

FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION Student-athlete is awarded aid on basis of declaring intent to participate in a sport by:  Signing an NLI, or  Application or agreement. Action on part of student-athlete to not participate:  Not reporting for practice,  Making token appearances. Institution is permitted to cancel or reduce aid. Bylaw

INCREASE, REDUCTION, CANCELLATION NOT PERMITTED Institutional financial aid based on athletics may not be increased, decreased or cancelled during the period of award:  On the basis of an student-athlete’s athletics ability, performance or contribution to the team;  Because of an injury, illness or physical or mental medical condition; or  For any other athletics reason. Bylaw

HEARING OPPORTUNITY Institution’s regular financial aid authority shall notify in writing. Within 14 consecutive calendar days from the date of notification of the reduction or cancellation. Must include a copy of the established policies and procedures for conducting the hearing. Hearing must be conducted within 30 days of receiving the request. Bylaw

REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF AID CASE STUDIES

REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF AID The Facts:  Football prospective student-athlete signs financial aid agreement February 4.  Prospective student-athlete is notified in spring 2015 of his FAFSA award.  Cost of attendance at the institution is $35,000.  Prospective student-athlete received the following aid package: Athletics award = $22,000. Pell grant = $17,500.

REDUCTION OR CANCELLATION OF AID The Facts:  Cross country student-athlete was awarded $5,000 athletics scholarship for the academic year. Fall 2014 $2,500. Spring 2015 $2,500.  Student-athlete reported for preseason but has not attended practice or competed for three weeks.  Coach has repeatedly tried to contact student-athlete unsuccessfully.  Team captain addressed behavior and student-athlete still has not attended practice or competed.

BEST PRACTICES Hearing Opportunity  Institution’s regular financial aid authority shall notify in writing.  Within 14 consecutive calendar days from the date of notification of the reduction or cancellation.  Must include a copy of the established policies and procedures for conducting the hearing.  Hearing must be conducted within 30 days of receiving the request. Bylaw

BEST PRACTICES Nonathletically Related Conditions  Financial aid agreement may include nonathletically related conditions by which aid may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award. Example: Compliance with team rules, compliance with academic polices, GPA requirement, study hall requirement. Bylaw

QUESTIONS?