Updated 7/13

Student-athletes are permitted to earn legitimate on- and off-campus employment income during the regular academic year as well as during the university’s official vacation periods and the summer.  NCAA Bylaw 15.2.7 notes student-athlete earnings from on or off campus employment is not counted in the student-athlete’s financial aid limitations provided that:

• The student-athlete may not receive any remuneration for the value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following he or she has obtained because of athletics ability;
• The student-athlete is to be compensated only for work actually performed; and
• The student-athlete is to be compensated at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.

Any student-athlete who wishes to work must receive prior approval from the Compliance Office.  For all student-athletes, the overall financial benefits of employment during the academic year must be weighed against the difficulties encountered in trying to fulfill academic, athletic and work responsibilities.

Employment Guidelines

The following rules apply to all types of student-athlete employment:
1.      The student-athlete must perform actual work.
2.      The student-athlete must be paid by check.
3.      The rate of pay must be commensurate with that received by similarly situated employees (e.g., seasonal, part-time) performing the same or similar work.
4.      Hours paid must be equal to actual hours worked.
5.      Payment in advance of hours worked is not permitted.
6.      Commission based employment must be reviewed and approved by Compliance prior to acceptance of the position.
7.      Transportation to the job site may only be provided if such transportation is made available to all employees.
8.      Student-athletes are responsible for complying with employment rules and are to report any irregularities in employment compensation or benefits to their Head Coach or the Compliance Office.

Outside Employment
All contacts with prospective employers and final job placement must comply with the guidelines established by the University and the NCAA.  Annually, the Kansas Athletics Compliance Office meets with booster groups to discuss NCAA rules related to student-athletes.  In addition, all student-athlete employers are sent a letter detailing NCAA rules as they relate to student-athlete employment.

Internal Employment
Student-athletes interested in internships, both paid and unpaid, or graduate assistant positions must contact the Director of Human Resources to determine the availability and assignment of positions within Kansas Athletics.  Department Heads and Supervisors must communicate their needs to the Director of Human Resources.  Priority for internship and graduate assistant positions within Kansas Athletics shall be as follows:  current student-athletes (including 5^th year student-athletes) at KU; former KU student-athletes; former student-athletes from other institutions; non-student-athletes.

Camp/Clinic Employment
In accordance with NCAA Bylaw 13.12.2 guidelines, a student-athlete employed by a camp/clinic, including an institutional camp/clinic, must be pre-approved to do so by the Compliance office.

A student-athlete who only lectures or demonstrates at a camp/clinic may not receive compensation for his/her appearance at the camp/clinic.

A student-athlete with remaining eligibility may not conduct his/her own camp/clinic but may conduct fee-for-lesson instruction.

Fee for Lesson Instructions
In accordance with NCAA Bylaw 12.4.2.1 guidelines, a student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills or techniques in his or her sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided:

• Institutional facilities are not used;
• Playing lessons shall not be permitted;
• The institution obtains and keeps on file documentation of the recipient of the lesson(s) and the fee for the lesson(s) provided during any time of the year;
• The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient’s family) and not another individual or entity;
• Instruction to each individual is comparable to the instruction that would be provided during a private lesson when the instruction involves more than one individual at a time; and
• The student-athlete does not use his or her name, picture or appearance to promote or advertise the availability of fee-for-lesson sessions.

Student-athletes seeking fee-for-lessons must meet with the Compliance Office prior to conducting lessons.