Regulations & Policies

Student Affairs

I. OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE

The University has established this policy to ensure compliance with Florida Statute § 1006.74 and Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.022 regarding student-athletes’ use of their name, image and likeness.

II. STATEMENT OF POLICY

Student-athletes may earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness without affecting their athletic eligibility or grant-in-aid.

All NIL deals (including paid, unpaid or in-kind) must be reported to the Athletic Department through the athletic compliance software on the NIL disclosure form. Student-athletes must promptly disclose to the Athletic Department any NIL agreements so that the University can compare and check for any conflicts and conformance with State law requirements.

An athlete agent representing a student-athlete must satisfy the requirements of Florida Statute 468.453.

NIL compensation opportunities may not conflict with academic or team related activities. Therefore, no class time nor team activity will be missed for any NIL activities. In addition, student-athletes will not be permitted to enter into NIL agreements with gambling/sports wagering, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, controlled substances, CBD, adult entertainment, or vendors associated with NCAA banned substances.

Student-Athletes are allowed use of University or athletic department related marks and logos, including all aspects of the uniform only if specifically approved to do so by UNF. Similarly, the use of campus facilities or grounds for NIL activities requires written authorization from UNF and may require guidance on location agreements, waivers of liability, liability insurance requirements and applicable rental fees. Submissions seeking such permission should be submitted through the NIL Disclosure form available to student-athletes through the athletics compliance software platform.

III. EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ASSOCIATED WITH NIL OPPORTUNITIES

The UNF Athletic Department will offer student-athletes at least two financial literacy, life skills, and entrepreneurship workshops for a minimum of five hours each before graduation. The two workshops will not be identical. The second workshop will include more rigorous instruction.  The introductory and more rigorous workshops will not be offered in the same semester. 

Each workshop will include information concerning entrepreneurship, financial aid, debt management, and a recommended budget for full and partial grant-in-aid student-athletes based on the current academic year’s cost of attendance.  It will also include information on time management skills necessary for success as an intercollegiate athlete and available academic resources. 

No workshop will include any marketing, advertising, referral, or solicitation by providers of financial products or services.

IV. POTENTIAL ISSUES FOR CERTAIN STUDENT-ATHLETES

Pell Grant or need based financial aid could be impacted based on compensation earned from NIL.

Those questions should be directed to One-Stop, Department of Financial Aid at https://www.unf.edu/onestop/.

International student-athletes are advised that NIL agreements may impact their immigration status, and thus should consult with counsel of their choosing and the University of North Florida International Center to guard against any potential immigration issues.

NIL activities may have personal tax implications. These obligations are dependent upon individual circumstances and may require consultation with a tax professional.

Student-athlete violations of this Policy are processed through the Student Code of Conduct.  All other violations may be addressed through appropriate University action. 

The University and its employees, including coaches, are not liable for any damages to a student-athlete’s ability to earn NIL compensation resulting from decisions and actions routinely taken in the course of intercollegiate athletics. 

References: Fla. Stat. §1006.74 and Florida Board of Governors Regulation 6.022

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