Understanding Verbal Offers

There is a new reality in college recruiting. The NCAA has eliminated the National Letter of Intent (NLI), ending a 60-year tradition that once made recruiting more predictable. In its place, schools and athletes now rely on scholarship and financial aid agreements, which are still binding but more flexible.

This change is part of a larger shift. The House v. NCAA settlement means schools will soon be able to pay athletes directly, prompting athletic departments to reduce roster sizes and manage budgets more carefully. In this new reality, athletes and families must understand how verbal offers, scholarships, and team spots really work.

  • What the NLI Used to Mean

    For decades, the NLI was a contract between a student-athlete and a university. Signing it locked in an athletic scholarship for at least one year, and in return, the athlete promised to play for that school and stop talking to other programs. It added structure and a sense of security for both sides — although that security was not always bulletproof in reality.

    Why the NLI Was Eliminated

    The end of the NLI lines up with massive changes in college sports. With the NCAA v. House settlement expected to allow schools to pay student-athletes directly starting in 2025–26, the old model of binding athletes through a rigid one-year contract no longer fits. Today, athletes can earn money from NIL deals, switch schools freely through the transfer portal, and negotiate more flexible agreements.

  • What Has Replaced the NLI

    Instead of an NLI, athletes now sign scholarship and financial aid agreements directly with the university. These agreements are still legally binding but generally allow more flexibility for both sides. Schools can still pull offers under certain circumstances, and athletes can leave more easily through the transfer portal if things change.

    Coaches are still not supposed to recruit athletes who have signed a financial aid agreement with another school, but enforcement is not always perfect.

    Today’s Reality: Flexibility for Coaches and Athletes

    Just as schools can adjust or cancel offers, you can also change your mind if your situation changes. If a stronger scholarship or better team fit opens up before you sign, you have the right to rethink your choice. This is no longer seen as disloyal — it is smart business. If you do decommit, communicate clearly and respectfully so you maintain your reputation in the swimming community.

  • Division I

    • Athletes sign a scholarship agreement instead of an NLI.

    • The agreement is legally binding but can be adjusted if budget issues arise.

    • Roster spots are now tighter in many D1 sports because of revenue-sharing costs.

    • You must still meet NCAA academic eligibility and the university’s admissions standards.

    Division II

    • Works like D1: athletes sign a scholarship agreement.

    • Scholarships are often split among multiple athletes.

    • Roster cuts happen here too — teams manage budgets carefully.

    • NCAA and university academic requirements still apply.

    Division III

    • No athletic scholarships. Coaches offer roster spots, not athletic money.

    • Verbal offers mean the coach supports your admissions application, but you must meet the school’s standards.

    • No official contract like the old NLI. Your spot is final only when you are admitted and pay your deposit.

    Ivy League & Pre-Reads

    • The Ivy League does not offer athletic scholarships.

    • Coaches request a pre-read from admissions — a formal review of your grades, test scores, and coursework to see if you are likely to be admitted.

    • If you pass the pre-read, the coach may offer you a roster spot. This is still a verbal promise until you get your acceptance letter.

    • If your grades slip after the pre-read, you can lose your spot.

  • A Preferred Walk-On (PWO) means the coach invites you to join the team without athletic aid.

    • You have a reserved roster spot, unlike a regular walk-on.

    • You pay your own way unless you get academic or need-based aid.

    • Some coaches promise a chance to earn a scholarship later — but that is not guaranteed.

    • No official contract until you sign your admission paperwork.

    • Budget cuts can still affect your spot.

  • The NCAA v. House settlement is forcing teams to spend more on athletes. To balance this, many schools have already cut roster spots, canceled offers to high school juniors and seniors, and tightened scholarships.

    This is not because coaches do not care. It is because college sports is also a business. Coaches must build winning teams to protect their budgets and their own jobs. When funding shrinks, they make tough calls on who stays and who goes. Moreover, college coaches are expected to produce results.

  • 1. Be crystal clear on your offer: Ask exactly what is included — tuition, housing, books, meals, how many years it covers, and whether it can be reduced or pulled if you get injured or your times do not improve. Coaches respect athletes who ask good questions.

    2. Take time to decide: Never feel pressured to commit on the spot, no matter how excited you are. Take a few days to talk to your family and club coach. Rushed decisions lead to regrets.

    3. Keep everything in writing: After any call, ask the coach to confirm details by email. If you are promised a certain scholarship percentage or a preferred walk-on spot, get it documented. If the coach changes or leaves, this paper trail can help.

    4. Keep improving: A great offer can disappear if you stop performing. Keep training, stay healthy, and update coaches if you achieve new best times or awards.

    5. Stay eligible: One of the easiest ways to lose an offer is poor grades. Meet all NCAA eligibility standards, take the right core courses, and avoid slipping your senior year.

    6. Keep talking to other schools: Do not ghost other coaches until you have signed a scholarship agreement or admissions letter. Be honest — tell them where you stand — but keep relationships warm in case you need a backup plan.

    7. Understand the roster situation: Ask how many swimmers are in your event group, how many scholarships are available for your class, and how the team has handled roster cuts.

    8. Be smart online: Athletic departments watch recruits’ social media. Keep your posts clean, avoid arguments, and remember your image reflects on the team.

    9. Have a plan if your offer changes: If a coach tells you there are roster cuts or budget shifts, stay calm. Ask if there is a way to stay on as a preferred walk-on, find out what academic or need-based aid you might qualify for, and check if other schools still have openings.

    10. Build relationships, not just a spot: The best protection is trust. Stay polite, respond quickly, show maturity. Coaches are more likely to fight for an athlete who handles themselves professionally.