Athletics Veritas is a weekly series aimed at helping higher education executives, faculty, and other stakeholders stay tuned in on trending national issues impacting college athletics, especially NCAA Division I. Athletics Veritas is created by senior DI athletic administrators around the nation.
Term-in-Ology: Room and Board Expenses for Student-Athletes Participating in Post-Season After the Spring Term
An institution may provide the cost of room and board to student-athletes during official institutional vacation periods in a few circumstances. Benefits provided to student-athletes while school is not in session becomes a visible scenario in late spring and early summer when spring sports like softball and baseball seasons continue in to June often beyond a school’s spring term.
For example, student-athletes who are required to remain on the institution's campus for organized practice sessions or competition during the institution's official vacation period may receive room and board. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of room and board may not be provided by the institution, other than to permit the student-athlete to participate in team meals incidental to participation.
Division I student-athletes who return to campus during the institution's official vacation period between regular academic terms like a summer-vacation period from institutional competition that occurs at the end of the institution's playing and practice season or a segment thereof may also receive room and board, as specified. Under such circumstances, room and board expenses may be provided for not more than a 48-hour period, beginning with the student-athlete's return to campus. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of room and board may not be provided by the institution.
Athletics Veritas is presented for information purposes only and should not be considered advice or counsel on NCAA compliance matters. For guidance on NCAA rules and processes, always consult your university’s athletics compliance office, conference office, and/or the NCAA.
