Athletically Related Financial Aid
Athletically related financial aid can only be provided to student-athletes who are enrolled full-time and participating on a Shepherd University athletic team. This aid is distributed at the head coach's discretion and awarded on a yearly basis. NCAA Division II institutions are not allowed to provide multi-year financial aid agreements. To learn more about the regulations on financial aid, continue reading.
Maximum Limit on Financial Aid
A student-athlete cannot receive athletically financial aid and other identified aid below that exceeds the value of a full grant-in-aid. A student-athlete may receive institutional financial aid based on athletics ability (per Bylaw 15.02.4.1) and educational expenses awarded (per Bylaw 15.2.5.5) up to the value of a full grant-in-aid, plus any other financial aid unrelated to athletics ability up to the cost of attendance.
A full grant-in-aid is financial aid that consists of tuition and fees, room and board, required course-related books and required course-related supplies.
In determining whether a student-athlete's financial aid exceeds the value of a full grant-in-aid, all institutional financial aid (per Bylaw 15.02.4.1) and all funds received from the following and similar sources shall be included:
- Government Grants
- Other Scholarships and Grants (see Athletic
- Professional Sports Stipend - Any bonus or salary (no matter when received or contracted for) from a professional sports organization;
- Athletics Participation Compensation - Any other income (no matter when received or contracted for) from participation in an athletics event unless eligibility has been exhausted in that sport; and
- All funds administered by the institution, which include but are not limited to the following:
- Scholarships;
- Grants;
- Tuition waivers awarded based in any degree on athletics ability; and
- Aid from government or private sources for which the institution is responsible for selecting the recipient or determining the amount of aid, or providing matching or supplementary funds for a previously determined recipient.
The following sources of financial aid are also permitted:
- Financial aid received from anyone on whom the student-athlete is naturally or legally dependent;
- Financial aid awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability;
- Financial aid awarded through an established and continuing outside program; and
- Educational expenses awarded by the U.S. Olympic Committee, which count against an institution's sport-by-sport financial aid limitations and against the individual's full grant-in-aid limit.
Increases to Athletically Related Financial Aid
Athletics Aid can be increased for any reason at any time (effective 8/1/2018).
Decreases to Athletically Related Financial Aid
In the event that a student-athlete's financial aid exceeds a full grant-in-aid for the balance of the academic year, the institution will reduce institutional financial aid so as not to exceed a full grant.
Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability
may be reduced or canceled
during the period of the award, if the recipient:
- Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition;
- Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement;
- Engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty (see Bylaw 15.3.4.1.3); or
- Voluntarily withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons;
During the period of the award, institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability
may not be increased, decreased or canceled:
- On the basis of a student's athletics ability, performance or contribution to a team's success;
- Because of an injury, illness or physical or mental medical condition (except as permitted pursuant to Bylaw 15.3.4.1); or
- For any other athletics reason.
Athletic aid renewals will be provided to the student-athlete prior to July 1 for the upcoming academic year. All athletic aid is re-evaluated on a year to year basis.
Appeal Policy
If athletically related financial aid is reduced or cancelled, the director of financial aid will notify the student in writing, within 14 consecutive calendars days from the date the student-athlete has been notified of this decision. This student-athlete will have the right within 21 days to an appeal of the reduction or cancellation. This appeal will go to the Director of Financial Aid. For the appeal policy, see below.
Other Important Links
Remember, ASK before you ACT! Contact the Compliance Office at 304-876-5404.
Return to CSA Main Page
