The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NCAA Division I or II institution in which the institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year in exchange for the student-athlete's agreement to attend the school for one academic year.

The NLI program is administered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Once a student-athlete signs an NLI, he or she is committed to attending that school for one academic year. Student-athletes who sign an NLI are not allowed to be recruited by any other school during their period of enrollment at the signing institution.

The NLI is an important part of the recruiting process for many student-athletes who wish to compete in college sports. The NLI helps to ensure that recruiting is conducted in a fair and consistent manner and that student-athletes are not pressured into making a decision about their college choice.

The NLI program is voluntary, however, many colleges and universities require the NLI as part of the admissions process. Student-athletes who do not sign an NLI are still bound by NCAA rules and regulations if they decide to enroll at an NCAA school.

When to Sign the National Letter of Intent

The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a document that every high school athlete who wants to play college sports must sign. The NLI is a binding agreement between the athlete and the college they have chosen to attend. Once the NLI is signed, the athlete is committed to attending that college and playing for their sports team.

The NLI is usually signed during the athlete's senior year of high school, but can be signed as early as the junior year. Athletes who sign an NLI before their senior year are called "early commits." College coaches often encourage athletes to make an early commitment so they can be sure they will have them on their team.

Signing an NLI does not mean that the athlete is completely committed to that college. Athletes can still back out of the NLI if they change their mind about the school or the team. However, doing so may come with consequences.

The NLI is a very important document in the world of college recruiting. It ensures that both the athlete and the college are held to their commitments. It is important to make sure you understand everything in the NLI before you sign it.

Why You Should Sign the National Letter of Intent

If you're a high school athlete who is being recruited by colleges for your sport, you may be wondering whether or not you should sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI). An NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution in which the institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year in exchange for the student's commitment to attend the school and participate in its athletics program.

There are many reasons why you should sign an NLI if you have the opportunity to do so. First, signing an NLI takes the pressure off of the recruiting process. Once you sign, you are locked into attending that school, which takes away some of the stress of making your final decision. Second, signing an NLI shows that you are committed to the school and the athletics program, which can make a good impression on the coaching staff.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, signing an NLI guarantees you athletics financial aid for your first year of college. This is important because it means you will not have to worry about finding the money to pay for your schooling yourself or rely on other forms of financial aid, such as loans.

So if you're a high school athlete who is being recruited by colleges, be sure to seriously consider signing a National Letter of Intent. It can provide many benefits and take some of the stress out of the recruiting process.

Need more help understanding the recruiting process? We've got some in-depth articles and how-to's for high school athletes to help them maximize their recruitment and promote themselves to stand out.  We've also got thousands of college coach emails and social media accounts to share with you.