On October 9, 2024, the NCAA officially retired the National Letter of Intent (NLI), ending a six-decade-long program that had become a central element of college recruiting. This decision signals an evolving landscape in collegiate athletics, with the NCAA poised to enact additional policy updates, such as removing scholarship limits and refining amateurism rules, which now allow athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). What Was the National Letter of Intent (NLI)? The National Letter of Intent was a binding agreement that required a student-athlete to attend the signing institution for one academic year, with the college providing athletic financial aid in return. Participating NCAA Division I and Division II schools used the NLI as a tool to solidify recruiting agreements and to restrict other institutions from continuing to recruit a committed athlete. National Signing Days became annual celebratory events where student-athletes’ accomplishments were recognized publicly.  What Changes Can Student-Athletes Expect? While this change may appear significant, the impact on most student-athletes will be minimal. In place of the NLI, colleges will now issue written offers of athletic aid, guaranteeing scholarship support to student-athletes who commit to their programs. Once these new written offers are signed, schools are prohibited from contacting athletes committed to other programs, maintaining some continuity with past practices. NCSA Senior Director of Recruiting Education Julian Jenkins commented, “You should still think about celebrating your commitment to a college. You’re signing some type of documentation, and the university is going to honor it.” Will National Signing Day Still Take Place? Yes, National Signing Day will continue to be a meaningful occasion for student-athletes. Though NLI Signing Day itself no longer exists, the dates for signing written aid offers are consistent with previous NLI deadlines, meaning the tradition of celebrating student-athletes’ college commitments remains intact. “For Notre Dame Prep athletes, starting the process early and understanding these new dynamics is essential. While the structure of commitments has shifted, the need for academic excellence and planning remains paramount. We’re committed to equipping our students with the tools they need to navigate this evolving landscape successfully—both now and in the future.”NDP Athletic Director Steve Powers How These Changes Effect Notre Dame Prep’s Student-Athletes These developments come at a time when preparing for college recruitment requires a more strategic, long-term approach than ever. “For Notre Dame Prep athletes, starting the process early and understanding these new dynamics is essential,” says NDP Athletic Director Steve Powers. “While the structure of commitments has shifted, the need for academic excellence and planning remains paramount. We’re committed to equipping our students with the tools they need to navigate this evolving landscape successfully—both now and in the future.” NCSA Director of Recruiting Education Paul Putnam emphasizes that with such changes, students must stay proactive and diligent. “Being able to start the process and really organize and manage your recruiting is more relevant now because a lot of these changes are going on,” Putnam says. He also highlights that a strong academic record from day one is critical to maximizing options in college recruitment.  What’s Next in College Sports? The NCAA’s recent reforms, including discussions on removing scholarship limits, signal further shifts to come in collegiate sports. These changes place greater importance on building a strong academic foundation and proactively preparing for college athletics. Notre Dame Prep encourages student-athletes and families to connect with experts and resources that can help guide them in this updated recruiting environment. About Notre Dame Preparatory School Notre Dame Prep educates young women to transform the world. A Catholic, independent school for girls (grades 6-12). NDP focuses on academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the practice of justice on a safe and secure 65-acre campus in historic Hampton, MD. The school offers a personalized, liberal arts-based education with signature programs in the middle and high schools, including the arts, STEAM, Humanities, and language certification, so students may hone their interests. The Women In… (WIN) program provides career exploration in science, medicine, business, and law. 50+ clubs, meaningful traditions, and championship-level teams in 15 sports complement an NDP education. If you want to learn more about the transformational education at NDP, please visit www.notredameprep.com or contact our Admissions team at (410) 825-6202.