When are Scholarship Commitment Deadlines for Athletes?

I'm being recruited for a sport and wondering when the commitment deadline is for athletic scholarships in general. Are these deadlines the same across the board or do schools set their own?

The deadlines for committing to an athletic scholarship are typically aligned with the National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing dates set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NLI is a binding agreement between a student-athlete and a college where the student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year in exchange for an athletic scholarship.

The NCAA has different signing periods for different sports and divisions. For example, for most Division I and II sports, including basketball and football, the "Early Signing Period" usually begins in November and continues for about a week. The "Regular Signing Period" for these sports starts the following spring, typically in April, and can extend into the summer.

However, some sports such as Division I Basketball, have specific signing periods and dates separate from other sports. The NLI signing periods also don't apply to Division III and Ivy League schools as they are non-scholarship, and to service academies that have their own procedures.

Keep in mind that these timelines may change from year to year, so it's important to confirm the specific dates directly with the NCAA or the athletic department of the schools you are considering. Remember, you should not sign a NLI or a financial agreement before the signing date for your sport and division.