Participating in college athletics involves many student-athletes across the world. Many people in the United States closely follow their favorite college teams and individual athletes. Athletes who compete at Division I schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) have demanding athletic schedules. Due to the demand of collegiate sports, athletes may need additional support to have a successful transition out of college and into their careers. In 2023, the NCAA unanimously agreed to provide this additional support in the form of core guarantees. These guarantees were officially effective on August 1, 2024.
The core guarantees are provided to NCAA Division I schools, as well as student-athletes in Division II or III schools that compete in Division I sports. Under the guarantees, colleges must provide various funds and types of counseling to their athletes. Many of these provisions must also be guaranteed even after athletic eligibility ends. Different guarantees include degree completion funds, agreement to uphold full athletics scholarships/aid, as well as each school’s compliance with consensus-based health and safety protocols. Schools must also have academic services and career counseling available to student-athletes. In addition to this, schools must provide skill training and education in at least nine of the following areas: mental health; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; sexual violence prevention; transfer requirements; strength and conditioning; nutrition; financial literacy; career preparation; and name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities.
Also effective as of August 1, 2024, the NCAA agreed that student-athletes across all divisions will have access to insurance to cover injuries that occur while playing in their collegiate sport that require treatment after their higher education is complete. The policy has an annual premium of $26 million, as well as a $90,000 excess limit per injury without a deductible. Within this excess limit, $25,000 of this sum will be available for mental health services that are related to the injury. Each school is responsible for keeping records of all intercollegiate athletic injuries through the insurance benefit period.
Every student-athlete who falls under the guidelines of the core guarantees or post-eligibility insurance automatically is covered by these benefits as they are requirements for schools. The NCAA expanded its athlete benefits to provide support both during and after athletes’ college experience. Additional support provided to these student-athletes not only supports students in their athletic careers but also for their futures. These guarantees display how the NCAA is investing in their athletes’ performance and overall well-being to help them transition into their careers.
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