University of Georgia Athletics
Athletics Scholarship Information
July 19, 2006 | General
The NCAA permits student-athletes to receive financial aid from anyone upon whom they are naturally or legally dependent. Student-athletes may also receive financial aid not to exceed the cost of tuition, room, board, books and fees from:
1. Sources distributed by the University.
A. Student-athletes may receive institutional need-based aid based on information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A.). Such aid may include scholarships, grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant (S.E.O.G.), and PELL, as well as loans.
B. Student-athletes may receive scholarships based on academic standing and/or athletic ability.
C. The possibility of student employment either as work study (need-based) or non work-study may be available.
2. Sources outside the University.
A. Student-athletes may receive financial aid (e.g., a scholarship, or monetary award) through an established and continuing program to aid students, if the following conditions are met:
i.) The award is made on the basis of his or her past performance and overall record, measured by established criteria of which athletic participation may or may not be the major criterion; and
ii.) The disbursement of the aid is through the UGA Financial Aid Office.
B. Student-athletes MUST report all outside financial aid awards received to pay college expenses to attend the University.
C. Any other source of financial assistance must receive the approval of the athletics department.
ATHLETICS SCHOLARSHIP RENEWALS, REDUCTIONS AND CANCELLATIONS
1. Athletics scholarships may not be awarded in excess of one academic year. Thus, athletics scholarships are up for renewal each year.
2. During the period of the award (i.e., from July 1 to the end of the academic year in which athletics aid is received), an athletics scholarship may not be increased, decreased or canceled during the period of the award:
(a) On the basis of a student-athlete's athletics ability, performance or contribution to a team's success;
(b) Because of an injury that prevents the recipient from participating in athletics; or
(c) For any other athletics reason.
However, an athletics scholarship may be cancelled during the period of the award if the student-athlete:
(a) Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition;
(b) Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement;
(c) Engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty (i.e., found to have engaged in misconduct by UGA’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards); or
(d) Voluntarily withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons. A student-athlete's request for written permission to contact another four-year collegiate institution regarding a possible transfer does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal.
3. Awarding athletics scholarships for the NEXT academic year: The institution must notify the student-athlete by July 1 (though notification may occur earlier) whether his or her athletics scholarship will be renewed, reduced or cancelled for the next academic year. The decision to renew, reduce or cancel the financial aid is left to the discretion of the institution.
(a) Renewals, reductions and cancellations of athletics aid shall be made prior to July 1 of subsequent years by the student financial aid office based on recommendations from the head coach, the associate athletics director for compliance and/or the director of athletics and the senior administrative sport oversight. The director of financial aid shall notify student-athletes by July 1 if their aid is renewed, reduced or cancelled.
(b) If the student-athlete’s scholarship is being renewed at the same amount or increased, he or she will need to sign an awards letter indicating the amount and terms of the scholarship. The scholarship is not effective until the student-athlete has signed a copy of the award letter and returned to the athletics compliance office.
(c) If the student-athlete’s scholarship is cancelled or reduced, the letter will note the reduction or cancellation and explain the student-athlete’s opportunity to appeal the decision.
