(502E) Student-Athletes: Student-Athlete Funds

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Updated 07/15
502E
STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUND (SAF)

The Big 12 Conference provides guidelines for permissible uses of the SAF; however, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list.  Institutional discretion will determine approved uses of the SAF in order to meet the needs of student-athletes and maximize the available funding.

Permissible uses of the fund may include the following:

Educational Expenses and Fees:

  • summer school
  • fifth or sixth year aid
  • tutoring
  • international student fees and taxes
  • graduate or professional school or program exam fees, application fees, and test preparation courses
  • expendable supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, highlighters)
  • educational supplies (computers, cameras, calculators, USB drives, headsets for special learning program)
  • placement exams
  • intellectual disabilities testing
  • orientation fees for enrolled student-athletes.  Only permissible if the fees are not considered part of an institutional grant-in-aid: tuition, room and board, books and fees
  • CPR course
  • internet service fees

Health and Safety Expenses:

  • insurance premiums
  • supplemental insurance
  • medical, dental and vision expenses
  • medical expenses for student-athletes’ spouses/dependents
  • medical insurance for international student-athletes
  • accidental death and dismemberment insurance during team travel
  • surgery expenses
  • medical testing
  • nutritional shakes
  • multi-vitamins
  • psychological therapy sessions
  • psychological screening

Personal or Family Expense:

  • per diem expenses to student-athletes who remain in the locale of the institution for reasons other than practice and competition, as long as the per diem is provided consistent with institutional policy for providing per diem to institutional staff members, and it is provided consistent with the process for providing per diem when NCAA rules permit such arrangements
  • clothing
  • additional student-athlete travel home
  • emergency travel for student-athletes, spouse, and/or dependents
  • travel expenses for family members to be present when a student-athlete is honored
  • travel expenses for team members being honored by governmental body
  • travel expense for birth of child
  • team travel for funeral of teammate’s family member
  • replacement of lost items in a natural disaster
  • gas
  • parking passes
  • vacation period expenses
  • formal/semi-formal attire for awards ceremony
  • suite for conference media day
  • passport and student visa

Intuitional Academic or Programming Enhancements:

  • academic achievement or graduation awards
  • academic support services
  • supplies for staff and tutors working with specialized learning students
  • chairs for computer center
  • mall glass for tutoring center
  • expenses associated with recruiting guideline and host training
  • health and wellness and social awareness education
  • career counseling sessions
  • spring fling event
  • enhancement of tutoring budget
  • career employment service resume posting fees
  • recording assistance for student support services

Under Big 12 guidelines, all student-athletes are eligible to receive SAF benefits.  In addition, student-athletes are eligible to receive SAF benefits up to five years after exhausting eligibility.

Prohibited uses for the fund are listed in NCAA Bylaw 15.01.6.1 and 16.11.1.8.   Additionally, the Director of Athletics may opt to limit or deny any funding request not meeting the intent of the previously referenced guiding principles.