There are some important things to know before signing the National Letter of Intent.

1. A National Letter of Intent (NLI). The NLI applies only to prospective student-athletes who will be entering four-year institutions for the first time as full-time students and transfer student-athletes who are graduating from a two-year college.  It is not required for prospective student-athlete enrolling midyear, with the exception of midyear two-year college transfer student-athletes in football, who must graduate at midyear for the NLI to be valid.
2. Financial Aid Requirement.  At the time I sign this NLI, I must receive a written offer of athletics financial aid for the entire academic year from the institution named in this document.  The offer must list the terms and conditions of the athletics aid award, including the amount and duration of the financial aid.  In order for this NLI to be valid, a parent/legal guardian and and athlete must sign the NLI and the offer of athletics aid prior to submission to the institution named in this document, and any other stated conditions must also be met.  If the conditions stated on the financial aid offer are not met, this NLI shall be declared null and void.
   
3. Professional Sports Contract.  If an athlete signs a professional sports contract in the sport in which they have signed the NLI, the athlete remains bound by the NLI in all sports, even if NCAA rules prohibit the institution named in this document from providing the athlete with athletics financial aid.
4. Provisions of Letter Satisfied. If an athlete signs a One Year Attendence Requirement the terms of this NLI shall be satisfied if the athlete attends the institution one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) as a full-time student. If the athlete signs a Two Year College Graduation NLI while in high school or during their first year of full-time enrollment at a two-year college, the terms of this NLI will be satisfied if the athlete graduates from the two-year college.
5. Basic Penalty.  An athlete must understand that if they do not attend the institution named in NLI document for one full academic year and try to enroll in another institution participating in the NLI program, they may not compete in intercollegiate athletics until they have completed one full academic year in residence at the latter institution.  The athlete will be charged with the loss of one season of intercollegiate athletics competition in all sports.
6. Early Signing Period Penalties.  Student-athletes who will participate in football are prohibited from signing an NLI during the early signing period.  A student who signs an NLI during the early period in a sport other than football will be ineligible for practice and competition in football during the student’s first year of enrollment at an NLI member institution and shall forfeit one season of competition in football.  In circumstances where a student’s primary sport is not football, but the student anticipates participating in football, the student should delay signing an NLI until either the football signing period or during the regular signing period for all other sports.
7. Release Request and Appeal Process.  In the event and athlete wishes to be released from a NLI obligation, the NLI release request form and appeal process information can be reviewed on the NLI Web site.  An athlete should understand that the NLI Policy and Review Committee has been authorized to issue interpretations, settle disputes and consider petitions for complete release from the provisions of the NLI when extenuating circumstances are determined to exist and the signing institution denies a request for release.  Further, an athlete should understand the Committee’s decision may be appealed to the NLI Appeals Committee, whose decision shall be final and binding.
8. Letter Becomes Null and Void. This NLI shall be declared null and void if any of the following occur:
   • The institution notifies me in writing that the athlete has been denied admission
   • By the opening day of classes has failed to provide the athlete with written notice of admission
   • If the athlete fails to submit the necessary academic credentials and/or application to determine an admission decision prior to September 1
   • Check out other NLI Null and Void
9. Recruiting Ban After Signing.  All participating conferences and institutions are obligated to respect a signing and shall cease to recruit  after al athlete signs an NLI.  An athlete shall notify any recruiter who contacts them that they have signed an NLI.  Once an athlete enrolls in the institution, the NLI Recruiting Ban is no longer in effect and the athlete shall be governed by applicable NCAA bylaws.
10. 14-Day Signing Deadline.  If a parent/legal guardian and/or an athlete fail to sign a NLI and accompanying offer of athletics financial aid (see institutional policy for parent/legal guardian signature) within 14 days after the date of issuance, it will be invalid.  In that event, another NLI may be issued within the appropriate signing period. Signing Deadline (November Only).  The NLI must be signed between the dates of November 11-18, 2009 (the 14-day signing deadline is not applicable during the November signing period).  Additionally, the institution must file the NLI with its conference office within 21 days of the date of final signature; otherwise, the NLI is invalid.
11. Statute of Limitations.  This NLI is in full force and effect for a period of four (4) years, commencing with the date the athlete signs the NLI.
12. Coaching Changes.  An athlete must understand they have signed the NLI with the institution and not for a particular sport or coach.  If a coach leaves the institution or the sports program (e.g., not retained, resigns), the athlete remains bound by the provisions of the NLI.  Athlete's should understand it is not uncommon for a coach to leave his or her coaching position.
13. Coaching Contact Prohibited at Time of Signing.  A coach or an institutional representative may not hand deliver an NLI off campus or be present off campus at the time an athlete signs it (NCAA Bylaws 13.1.6.7 and 13.1.6.7.1).  The NLI may be delivered by express mail, courier service, regular mail, e-mail or facsimile machine.  An NLI transmitted to an institution electronically shall be considered valid.

All informaiton provided for the National Letter of Intent website.