Asking for an NLI Release FAQs

The NLI basic penalty is that you lose one year of competition in all sports and must serve one year in residence at your next NLI institution.

The penalty does not have to be served unless you attend an NLI institution.

Extenuating circumstances must be presented in any appeal to the NLI Appeals Committees as grounds for a complete release. The merits of each case are different which is why the committee determines what constitutes extenuating on a case-by-case basis and what life event changed after signing the NLI.

No. Just as the NLI is a voluntary agreement, granting a complete release is voluntary. If an institution denies your request for a complete release, you may petition the NLI Policy and Review Committee for Division I or the NLI Review Committee for Division II. Once proper documentation has been submitted online, the Committee will review your request.

The NLI Release Request must be submitted online. The NLI Appeals form is also located on the same page.

No. You are not entitled to a hearing under NLI policy inasmuch as you are permitted to file an appeal when denied a complete release by the signing institution..

Yes. If you are granted a complete release, you can sign another NLI in the same signing year with another NLI member institution..

No. The NLI complete release and the NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception are two different policies. The fact that a student is eligible for the NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception does not mean a student-athlete has received a complete release pursuant to the NLI program, nor does being granted the NCAA One-Time Transfer Exception eliminate the penalty provisions of the NLI.

If you have any questions about NCAA transfer and eligibility rules, please contact the NCAA at (317) 917-6008.