Article VII, Section C
Recognized Awards Received by Students
Link to NAIA Bylaws
NAIA Removes Dollar Limits on Athletic Performance Awards
Updated Amateurism Bylaw Aligns with National Governing Body Standards
Effective August 1, 2025, the NAIA has adopted an amendment to Article VII, Section C of its bylaws, removing restrictions on the type and monetary value of awards student-athletes may receive based on athletic performance or place of finish.
This bylaw change reflects the NAIA’s ongoing efforts to modernize its amateurism rules while preserving the core principle of collegiate competition: eligibility based on fair play, not professional affiliation.
The NAIA permits prospective and current student-athletes to accept prize money or in-kind awards based on their place of finish in non-intercollegiate competition, in accordance with the regulations set by the sport’s national governing body.
An individual participating as a recognized amateur under the rules of a sport’s national governing body is required to adhere to the amateur award regulations of the national governing body of that particular sport. Failure to do so will constitute a violation of NAIA amateur standing.
Summary of the Adopted Change
Previous Rule:
NAIA athletes could only receive “awards of a personal nature” valued at no more than $1,000 individually (or $1,500 combined for multiple awards).
Current Rule (Effective August 1, 2025):
The NAIA no longer limits the type or value of performance-based awards. Instead, it defers to the regulations set by each sport’s national governing body (NGB). This change eliminates the “personal nature” requirement and removes NAIA-imposed financial limits.
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