There has been plenty of confusion over when a prospect can be extended a written scholarship offer. Previously a prospect could be given such an offer as of Sept. 1 of his junior year.

However, that rule has been changed. The new rule, which is NCAA rule 2009-47-B, went into effect as of Aug. 1 of 2010. It states that a prospect can not be given a written scholarship offer until Aug. 1 of his senior year in high school.

Even so, there continues to be confusion over the rule. I have been told by prospects that they have been told by college coaches they will get a written offer July 1 of their senior year, Aug. 1 of their senior year, and Sept. 1 of their senior year. I was also told by a recruiting coordinator that the rule had been changed to Sept. 1 of a prospect’s senior year.

However, after contacting the NCAA and also checking the NCAA rules book, the operational date for a written scholarship offer is Aug.1 of a prospect’s senior year in high school, effective this past Aug. 1.

Division I - Written Offer of an Athletic Scholarship:

Prior to August 1 in any given year, preceding a prospect’s senior year of high school, institutions will NOT be allowed to provide prospects with a written offer of an athletic scholarship or to indicate in writing to a prospect that an athletic scholarship will be offered.

Some schools and sports have received commitments from juniors and even sophomores by indicating in writing that they will be offered an athletic scholarship when the signing period occurs in their senior year. These written offers are not legally binding and the schools did not have to honor them if the athlete became injured or if the coaches simply decided that they preferred another player. The new rule will not stop coaches from making verbal offers of aid, but at least the practice of providing preliminary written offers will be restricted.