Academic, Personal & Professional Development
Division I schools are required to provide resources that help student-athletes thrive in the classroom and prepare for life after sports.
Student-Athletes Have Access To:
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- Academic counseling and support services
- Career counseling and career development
- Life skills programming
- Mental health resources
- Financial literacy education
- Nutrition education
- Transfer education resources
- Name, image and likeness education
- Strength and conditioning education
- Sexual violence prevention education
- Inclusive leadership and belonging education*
- Schools may also cover certain academic expenses, including transportation to campus, graduation expenses and other education-related costs.
- Note: Schools may not provide a car or use of a car. Federal regulations protect against the excessive provision of benefits.
*Please note: A blanket waiver impacting these requirements has been approved for 2025.
Health, Safety and Well-Being
Division I schools must provide enhanced health care protections that support student-athletes during and after participation.
Key Protections Include:
- Medical care for athletically related injuries
- Payment of eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Continued care for qualifying athletically related injuries for at least two years following graduation or separation from the institution
- Access to mental health services and resources
- Additional protections related to serious injuries and illnesses
Note: This may help preseve the Student Assistance Fund.
Scholarship Protections
Athletics scholarships are protected under Division I Core Guarantees.
If a student-athlete received athletics aid during their first year at the institution and still has eligibility remaining, the scholarship cannot be reduced, canceled or not renewed for athletics-related reasons. Athletics-related reasons include:
- Injury
- Physical illness
- Mental health conditions
- Athletic performance
- Contribution to team success
- Roster management decisions
Student-athletes may combine athletics scholarships with other forms of financial aid up to the cost of attendance established by the institution. Schools must also provide written notice and an opportunity to appeal any reduction, cancellation or nonrenewal of athletics aid.
Student-Athlete Benefits and Expenses
Division I schools have flexibility to provide additional benefits that support the student-athlete experience.
- Meals and snacks may be provided at any time to meet nutritional needs.
- Student-athletes living off campus may continue receiving board stipends.
- Schools may provide meal support during required campus stays over vacation periods.
- Teams may receive occasional meals provided by boosters during special events.
Note: Athletics staff must collaborate with the school’s financial aid office to ensure food provided to student-athletes does not impact or duplicate elements of cost of attendance.
- Travel expenses for team competition.
- Expenses associated with elite-level training opportunities.
- Expenses for eligible tryouts and competition opportunities.
- Digital complimentary admissions may be provided.
- Identification is not required to claim complimentary admissions.
- Student-athletes may purchase tickets at face value for athletics events.
Note: Student-athletes may not resell complimentary or purchased tickets.
- Schools may provide reasonable entertainment and engagement opportunities throughout the year, including activities that support team building and student-athlete well-being.
Degree Completion Opportunities
Division I schools that provide athletics aid are required to support eligible former student-athletes seeking to complete their first undergraduate degree. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, assistance may be available through institutional programs or NCAA-supported degree completion initiatives. At a minimum, eligible participants may receive support for tuition, fees and required course materials.
Former student-athletes interested in returning to school should contact their institution’s athletics administration, academic support or compliance office to learn more about available options and eligibility requirements.