Mike's comment talked me into trying an explanation about what can &
can't be done by a school with athletic grants.  This represents my
understanding of NCAA Div. I rules on the subject:
 
First two principles are:  grants can only be awarded for one year,
but may be renewed (more on this in a moment); and a grant can not be
conditioned on a student-athlete reporting in satisfactory physical
condition.  Neither may a grant be conditioned on performance
standards ("Must score 21 goals," "Must maintain a 3.00 GAA").
 
Once awarded, a grant cannot be reduced or cancelled for the period
of the award (one year), UNLESS the student-athlete:  1) renders
himself/herself ineligible for competition; or 2) fraudulently
misrepresents information on the application, letter of intent, or
financial aid agreement; or 3) engages in serious misconduct; or 4)
voluntarily withdraws from the sport for personal reasons (if this
happens after the first game, the award must remain in effect for
that semester).  Reduction or cancellation under any of these
circumstances can only be made by the school's financial aid or
disciplinary authorities -- not by the athletics department -- and in
all cases the student-athlete must be given the opportunity for a
hearing.  Schools can not under any circumstance reduce or cancel an
award on the basis of a student-athlete's athletic ability or
contribution to the team, or because of an injury, or for any other
athletically-related reason.
 
Now:  a school CAN decide not to renew an athletic grant for a
subsequent year, and this presumably can be done for
athletically-related reasons.  In such cases, the financial aid
office must notify the student-athlete by July 1st of the
non-renewal, and must inform him/her that a hearing will be provided
on request to re-consider.  A renewal hearing can not be conducted by
the athletics department.
 
Those are the minimum NCAA standards.  In practice, most schools are
committed (though they may not formally promise) to renewing grants
for the 4 years allowed, even if an injury prevents continued
participation.  I know of several instances where a player decided to
quit the team so he could focus on academics, and the grant was
renewed anyway.  A school with a reputation for not renewing
grants will soon find it difficult to recruit good athletes.  In any
event, coaches or athletic departments are NOT allowed to be
capricious and arbitrary about grants; in fact, their power to mess
around is very, very constrained.
 
Hope this helps to clear things up.
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Dr. Stephen E. Roth                [log in to unmask]
Dean of Student Services
Canisius College                            (716) 888-2522
Buffalo, New York 14226                 FAX (716) 888-3190
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