Student-Athlete Handbook - Section 6

Financial Assistance

TYPES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE  |  MONITORING FINANCIAL AID  |  INCOMING FRESHMEN ELIGIBILITY 
  ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES  |  OUTSIDE AID  |  SUMMER SCHOOL AND DEGREE COMPLETION AID 
  FINANCIAL AID GRIEVANCES  |  OTHER FINANCIAL AID MATTERS 

Financial aid that must be considered when determining whether a student-athlete’s financial aid exceeds the cost of attendance value, includes, but is not limited to, the following types of financial aid:

• All Institutional Financial Aid and scholarships,
• All government grants for educational purposes (i.e., Monetary Award Program Grant or other state grants), except for certain types of grants like Pell Grant, Montgomery GI Bill, AmeriCorps Programs, Military Reserve Training Programs, U.S. Government Entitlement Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation for Service-Disabled Veterans Program, and State Grants for Disabled Veterans;
• All gifts given to a student-athlete following completion of eligibility in appreciation for, or in recognition of the student athlete’s athletic accomplishments;
• All stipends, bonuses or salary (no matter when received or contracted for) from a professional sports organization;
• All other income (no matter when received or contracted for) from participation in an athletic event;
• Any loans, except legitimate loans which are based upon a regular repayment schedule, available to all students and administered on the same basis for all students, such as Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized loans, Perkins loans, and University of Illinois Long Term Loans.

Questions Regarding Non-Institutional Financial Aid

Student-athletes are responsible for ensuring that they do not jeopardize their eligibility by accepting unauthorized financial aid. If coaches or student-athletes have any question as to whether accepting any non-institutional financial aid or funding would be allowed under the rules established by the NCAA, they must contact the compliance office for clarification before accepting such an award as the consequences can be severe. Student-athletes who receive non-permissible aid may have their eligibility suspended until the aid is either returned or re-routed through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Student-athletes who are uncertain as to the legitimacy of financial aid should consult the Assistant Director of Compliance, Financial Aid in the Irwin Academic Center or Office of Student Financial Aid.

Monitoring Financial Aid

To ensure compliance with all NCAA and Big Ten financial aid requirements, all financial aid received by a student-athlete must be monitored by the institution and included in the individual’s cost of attendance limitation. One way the DIA monitors such financial aid issues is by requiring student-athletes to complete the Student-Athlete Scholarship Information Form, on which they will disclose financial aid received from outside sources for the upcoming academic year. This form is completed during the compliance “check-in” meeting for each individual team.

Incoming Freshmen Eligibility for Financial Aid and Assistance

Incoming freshmen with no previous full-time college attendance must meet certain NCAA grade point average, test score and high school course requirements to be eligible for athletically based institutional aid. Individuals who do not meet these NCAA academic requirements can only receive non-athletic institutional financial aid based solely on their financial need.

Athletic Scholarship Rights and Responsibilities

The award of athletically related financial aid is a privilege for the student who receives such financial assistance to attend the University of Illinois. It is also a promise by the University to provide the financial assistance assured in the aid agreement. The award of athletic aid is a contract that implies responsibility and obligations on both parties – the student-athlete and the University. The student-athlete is responsible for meeting NCAA requirements for financial aid and abiding by University, departmental and team policies. The University is responsible for providing a culture, which fosters the development of student-athletes academically, competitively and socially. It is the goal of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) and the University of Illinois that every student-athlete leaves the University with an undergraduate degree.

The DIA will fund athletic aid to student-athletes up to cost-of-attendance as permitted by NCAA rules in order to maximize the educational opportunities and well-being of student-athletes. In all cases, the award and adjustment of athletic aid shall be accomplished in accordance with the letter and spirit of NCAA and Big Ten Conference rules with the best interests of the student-athlete in mind.

In addition, the application of NCAA rules and Big Ten Conference and University policies provide certain protections and rights to each student-athlete with respect to his or her athletic aid. A student-athlete who was recruited to the University through the offer of an athletic scholarship will be guaranteed to continue on athletic scholarship up to graduation provided the student-athlete remains a member in good standing with the community, the university and the athletics department.

In no case will a student-athlete’s athletic aid be reduced or cancelled due to injury or athletic performance.

Under NCAA rules, athletic aid may be awarded as a one-year renewable agreement or as a multi-year agreement as agreed upon by the head coach and the student-athlete in the recruiting process. In the case of a one-year agreement, NCAA rules require that a student-athlete be notified in writing of the status of his or her athletic aid no later than July 1 of each year. In any instance in which a student-athlete’s aid will be cancelled or reduced at the end of a one-year agreement, the student-athlete shall be notified of the cancellation or reduction as soon as possible. As stated above, athletic aid will not be reduced if the student-athlete remains a member in good standing with the community the university and the athletic department.

In the case of a multi-year agreement, the agreement may include multiple academic years up to the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility. A multi-year agreement does not require renewal notification on an annual basis. In the case of a multi-year agreement, the student-athlete will not receive annual notification of renewal or non-renewal. Such notification will be provided at the end of the period of the award if the student-athlete has not graduated and/or has athletic eligibility remaining.

In cases of voluntary withdrawal from the sport, the student-athlete at his or her own discretion must initiate the withdrawal. In no case shall a coach or administrator exert pressure or undue influence upon a student-athlete to voluntarily withdraw from the sport.  Whenever possible, a student-athlete who decides to voluntarily withdraw from the sport will meet with a compliance staff member and/or the sport administrator to be advised of the eligibility and financial aid ramifications prior to deciding upon the voluntary withdrawal.

In every case that a student-athlete’s athletic aid is reduced or cancelled, whether during the period of award or at the expiration of the agreement, notification of the reduction or cancellation shall be provided in writing by the University Office of Student Financial Aid and will include a statement regarding the student-athlete’s right to appeal the reduction or cancellation. The statement shall include written instructions as to how the student-athlete can initiate the appeal.

If a student-athlete's pursuit of an undergraduate degree is interrupted for a bona fide reason, that student-athlete may return to the University at any time to complete his or her degree with the assistance of an athletic scholarship. In cases in which a student-athlete has no athletic eligibility remaining, either due to expiration of seasons of competition or due to the application of NCAA rules (e.g., signing a professional contract), the student-athlete must apply for and follow the procedures for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Degree Completion Program.

Outside Aid

Any financial aid that is not permitted by NCAA legislation may be deducted from the athletic grant-in- aid or could render the student-athlete ineligible for intercollegiate athletics participation.

Each year during the compliance "check-in" meeting for each individual team, student-athletes will complete the Student-Athlete Scholarship Information Form. This form shall be one method by which non-institutional aid is monitored.

Summer School and Degree Completion Aid

DIA is committed to facilitating and supporting the educational pursuits of all student-athletes and may provide grant-in-aid for selected student-athletes who complete degree requirements during the University’s summer session or during their fifth year of enrollment. Guidelines for receipt of summer term or fifth-year aid are as follows:

Summer School for Current and Incoming Student-Athletes

Athletic aid will only be awarded with the approval of the athletic academic counselor and Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services. Aid will be provided only to those student-athletes who meet NCAA and Big Ten requirements. Student-athletes who require summer school attendance in order to meet eligibility standards must have given their full cooperation to the college, department, and DIA personnel in all matters during the academic year.

1.      Access to summer aid for returners will be limited to student-athletes that meet one of the following criteria:

1. On-time graduation,
2. Course sequencing,
3. Academic eligibility purposes,
4. Required summer workouts,
5. Course conflict with practice time during the academic year, or
6. Requirement by medical staff to stay on campus for rehabilitation or treatment.

2.      Full summer aid may be awarded to all incoming scholarship prospects in all sports, regardless of their scholarship award during the academic year. Summer aid will not be provided to incoming walk-on student-athletes.

3.     The baseline for all incoming football and basketball prospects will be three credit hours (these are the sports permitted to conduct required summer workouts). Incoming prospects in all other sports will be required to enroll in at least six credit hours barring extenuating factors.  

4.     The baseline for returning student-athletes in the summer will be six credit hours in all sports. There is flexibility to take fewer than six in the summer and still receive full athletic aid, including room and board, upon recommendation from the respective academic counselor.  Factors to be considered in allowing fewer than six hours will be hours remaining toward graduation and need for progress toward eligibility requirements.

5.      Summer aid will be proportional to the athletic aid awarded to student-athletes during the academic year. Student-athletes are eligible receive the full cost of attendance payment in the summer.

6.      Athletic aid will not be awarded for the first summer term unless there are extenuating circumstances that require the student-athlete to earn credit hours during this term. The recommendation for athletic aid for summer term 1 must come from the respective academic counselor.

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics reserves the right to have any or all requests for Summer School Grant-in-Aid reviewed by a committee appointed by the Director of Athletics.

Degree Completion Aid

The University of Illinois and the DIA are committed to helping every student-athlete graduate in a timely manner. Because of a variety of circumstances, student-athletes sometimes require additional classes to meet degree requirements.

The Degree Completion Program applies to student-athletes who are continuing their academic work after exhausting eligibility, returning to the University after one or more missed terms or after being declared a medical non-counter. Degree completion applicants returning to the institution after one or more missed terms should apply for NCAA Degree Completion funding prior to completing this application. For information regarding the NCAA Degree Completion Application, please see the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services.

The DIA degree completion grant-in-aid funds are for the sole purpose of assisting student-athletes to graduate with one undergraduate and/or graduate degree. DIA degree completion aid may not be used to complete a second degree, double major or additional minor. Continuation of the same declared degree program is required.

The amount of aid to be given to an individual student-athlete will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Athletics and/or designee and will not exceed the proportion of aid awarded in the final year of eligibility or participation. If applicant returns after six years of initial collegiate enrollment, athletic aid will not exceed tuition and fees. Any additional institutional aid may be added to the award, as determined by the college and/or financial aid requirements. Aid will be approved from semester to semester based on successful academic progress and in accordance with the grant-in-aid.

If a student-athlete has been declared a medical non-counter, the student-athlete will continue to receive the amount of grant-in-aid funds awarded at the time of declaration. The student-athlete will continue to follow all student-athlete code of conduct policies and meet all prescribed academic requirements and medical treatment as assigned. A medical non-counter that is within four years of initial eligibility will not be required to apply.

Application

If the applicant is a continuing student, they must submit the application for degree completion aid by April 15 or November 15 for the fall and spring semesters, respectively. The application should be submitted to the Assistant Director of Compliance, Financial Aid.

Qualifications for the program

• Student-athlete must have exhausted all their eligibility.

• All applicants are required to apply for university-controlled financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid. If the applicant qualifies for such aid, it will become part of the applicant’s total degree completion grant-in-aid package, per the federal financial aid guidelines.
• Any financial assistance from outside sources (i.e. NCAA Degree Completion Program, NFL Trust, NBA, etc.) will be utilized prior to any athletic aid.

Requirements

In order to be eligible for consideration for the Degree Completion Program, the applicant must:

• Be eligible for readmission by the college if returning after missed terms.
• Maintain a cumulative and major 2.0 GPA at all times.
• Be making satisfactory progress and be within one year (30 or fewer credits, depending on major) of completing the requirements for a bachelor’s degree.
• Complete a minimum 18 credits towards satisfactory progress during the final year of eligibility, including summer school.
• Be enrolled in 12 credits minimum per semester. Prior approval is necessary if less than 12 credits are needed in a semester (i.e. has fulfilled all requirements prior to an internship, student teaching and/or graduating, course availability).

Applicants may request an exception if a requirement cannot be not met at the time of application.

Financial Aid Terms and Conditions

• For continuing students, degree completion financial aid is funded at a proportionate level to the award received in the last season of eligibility or participation.

• If applicant returns after six years of initial eligibility, athletic aid will not exceed tuition and fees.
• Aid will be awarded from semester to semester based on successful academic progress. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the prior term academically. Aid amounts may be reduced, during or after the period of the award for failure to perform academically.
• Failure to complete the degree during the term of the award or earning “F”, “W”, “NC” or “I” in any class may result in cancellation of any future financial aid. Student-athletes would assume all future financial obligations relative to their degree. DIA also reserves the right to bill the applicant account for incomplete or failed course work.
• Applicants may not make changes to their schedule without receiving prior approval from the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services.

Financial Aid Grievances

Student-athletes shall be provided written notice from the Office of Student Financial Aid of any cancellation, reduction or change in their grant-in-aid. If student-athletes wish to appeal a cancellation, reduction or change to a grant-in-aid award, they must use the following procedure:

1. First, the student-athlete must request, in writing, a meeting with the head coach within five days from the date of mailing of the notice of change. The coach shall grant a hearing to the student-athlete within 5 days from the date of mailing of the student-athlete's request. After the hearing, the coach shall provide the student-athlete with his or her decision, in writing, within two days of the hearing.
2. If the student-athlete disagrees with the coach’s decision, the student-athlete may submit a written request for a hearing to the Director of Athletics (“Director”). The request should be delivered to the Director within five days of the date of mailing of the coach's decision. An in-person hearing with the Director, or the Director’s designee, will be held within seven days of the date of mailing of such request. The Director or the Director’s designee shall, within five days after such hearing, provide to the student-athlete a written notice of the Director’s decision.
3. If the student-athlete disagrees with the Director’s decision, the student-athlete may request a hearing before the Financial Aid Review Committee. Notice of the student-athlete’s request for such a hearing must be mailed within ten days from the date the Director’s decision was mailed to the student-athlete. Within fifteen days from the date of mailing of such request, the Financial Aid Review Committee shall provide to the student-athlete a written notice of the time and place of such hearing, which shall be conducted by said Committee in an informal manner. The Committee shall mail to the student-athlete a notice of its decision within fifteen days after the date of the hearing.
4. The decision of the Financial Aid Review Committee shall be final and binding upon the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, the student-athlete and all others.
5. Each of the requests or decisions required under the foregoing procedure shall be in writing. Notice to the coach, the Director of Athletics, or the Financial Aid Review Committee shall be emailed directly or mailed to the Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building, 1700 South Fourth Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820. Notice to the student-athlete shall be directly e-mailed and/ or sent to the mailing address designated on the grant-in-aid acceptance, or any address subsequently filed by the student-athlete in writing with the Director of Athletics.

Other Financial Aid Matters

Housing Procedures

The University requires all students to live on-campus or in certified on-campus housing during their freshman year. Team policies may require an additional year on-campus. All student-athletes living on- campus are required to follow all policies and procedures outlined in the Hallmarks: Residence Hall Policies found at http://www.housing.illinois.edu/resources/policies/hall%20policies .

All University Housing hall residents are responsible for reading the material in the Hallmarks document, the contract, bulletin boards, and emails from University Housing, etc.

Student Athlete Housing Policy for Breaks and Postseason

Student-athletes living in a campus residence hall, who are required by their coaching staff to be here during university breaks, when on-campus housing is closed, are required to stay in a hotel proximate to campus. The coaching staff will make accommodations and there may be no more than two occupants per room. If you wish to stay with a friend or make other arrangements, your head coach must grant permission.

Book Policy

Each term, coaches and Irwin Academic Services staff will receive instructions outlining the distribution of books for student-athletes who receive books as a part of their athletic scholarship. At the time of book pick-up, student-athletes must check each bag of books they receive for accuracy and sign a form verifying receipt of all the correct textbooks and materials. Student-athletes are responsible for returning ALL the books listed on the form. Assuring the accuracy of this list when the books are delivered to them ensures student-athletes will not be responsible for returning books that they never actually received.

A book slip is required to obtain any required texts, readings, or materials that are not included in the bag of books received at the beginning of the semester. Student-athletes can obtain book slips by bringing copies of their schedule and class syllabi with the required text highlighted to their Academic Counselor in Irwin. If the Academic Counselors are not available, book slips and equipment may also be picked up from the Office Administrator or Assistant Director of Compliance, Financial Aid. Book slip distribution will end for first eight week and full semester courses on the 3^rd Friday of each semester. Book slips will still be available for 2^nd eight-week courses following this date. Book slips will only be given from 9-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. After student-athletes receive a book slip for the extra materials, the book slip must be taken to the bookstore where the additional materials will be provided to them. Student-athletes are responsible for returning ALL books/materials they have signed for, been reimbursed for, and/or charged using a book slip. ALL purchased texts, study guides, packets, workbooks, recorders, calculators, etc. must be returned to the Irwin Academic Services Center by 4:00 pm on the last day of finals. If a student-athlete is unable to return books or equipment by the last day of finals due to extenuating circumstances, arrangements MUST be made no later than the first day of finals. Arrangements will be on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Associate Athletics Director, Academic Services. Student-athletes may keep their books by purchasing them for one-half the cost.

Name, Image and Likeness Compensation

If a student-athlete receives need-based financial aid, including, notably, a federal Pell Grant, additional income from name, image and likeness activities may decrease the size of a financial aid package or render a student-athlete altogether ineligible to receive such financial aid. Questions regarding need-based financial aid should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Additional Sources of Aid

NCAA Special Assistance Fund

The NCAA Student Assistance Fund has been established from monies provided by the NCAA and is administered by the Big Ten Conference to all conference institutions.

All student-athletes, including walk-ons and medical non-counters, who are not already receiving financial aid up to the cost of attendance and are Pell Grant recipients may apply for this fund. Applications are available at the Irwin Academic Center in Room 207b.

The NCAA has previously approved the following requests for funds:

• $500 a year to be used for clothing or other essential expenses (not entertainment);
• Medical and dental costs not covered by another insurance program: hearing aids, vision checks and contacts or eyeglasses, off-campus psychological counseling, dental checks and expenses;
• Cost of expendable academic course supplies, rental of non-expendable materials (e.g. computer equipment, cameras, field expenses) and
• Cost of documented expense for travel related to a family emergency.

Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund (SAOF)

The Student Assistance Fund is also available to provide other direct benefits to student-athletes or their families. As a guiding principle, the fund is used to help student-athletes meet financial needs that arise in conjunction with participation in intercollegiate athletics or enrollment in an academic curriculum.

Some examples of past use for this Fund include travel home from campus, purchase of winter coat for needy students, parking expenses, and support for financial emergencies outside a student-athlete’s control. All student-athletes, including walk-ons and medical non-counters, are eligible for support under this fund, subject to approval by the Student Assistance Fund Committee. For more information about NCAA Student Assistance Funds, approved and prohibited uses, and the process for requesting funding, please see the Assistant Director of Compliance, Financial Aid located in the Irwin Academic Services Center.