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Official vs. Unofficial Visits: What Student Athletes Need to Know

Choosing a college as a student athlete is a pivotal step, and understanding the nuances between official and unofficial visits is crucial in navigating the recruiting process. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the rules and major differences between these types of visits under NCAA (and other associations like NAIA) regulations.


What Is an Official Visit?

An official visit is a trip to a college campus that’s financed (in part or fully) by the college or university’s athletic department. Athletes typically receive an invitation from a coach. During an official visit, the school may legally pay for:

  • Transportation (flights, bus/train, car mileage) for the recruit (for parents/guardians, only if they travel in the same car as the recruit)

  • Lodging (hotel or staying with current student-athletes)

  • Three meals per day

  • Tickets to campus events (like home sports games, concerts, etc.)

  • Limited entertainment expenses


NCAA Rules on Official Visits:

  • Recruits are allowed one official visit per school. Division I recently changed its rules, allowing an unlimited number of official visits across schools (but still only one per school unless the head coach changes or specific sport exceptions apply).

  • Each official visit cannot last longer than 48 hours or one weekend.

  • No official visits can occur during a “dead period”—a designated span in the recruiting calendar when face-to-face contact is prohibited.

  • In Division I, official visits are permitted from as early as August 1 before the athlete's junior year for most sports, with some sport-specific variations (e.g., D1 football from April 1 junior year, D1 women’s basketball after the Women’s Final Four, D1 baseball/lacrosse/softball from September 1 junior year).

  • Athletes must provide transcripts and proof of standardized testing to the college before an official visit.


Other Associations:

  • NAIA: No paid visits allowed unless it is school policy to pay for all types of student visits, not just athletes; rules can vary, so always check with each institution.

  • NJCAA: Official visits rules:

    • Eligibility: A student-athlete must have completed their junior year in high school to receive an official recruiting visit from any NJCAA member college.

    • Limits: Only one paid official visit per college is allowed, and that visit cannot exceed two days and two nights.

    • Expenses Covered: The college may pay for travel to campus by direct route (no side trips), meals (up to the value allowed for college employees), and lodging for the athlete during the visit.

    • Restrictions: The paid official visit must be limited to the campus and surrounding local community—no extended travel.

    • Authorization: All recruiting expenses must be approved by a college official. The college cannot offer gifts or inducements beyond a standard athletic grant-in-aid.


Unofficial Visits Explained

An unofficial visit refers to a campus visit paid for entirely by the student-athlete or their family—not the college. These visits are less structured and can happen at almost any point in the recruiting process.

Key Facts:

  • Unlimited number of unofficial visits—athletes can tour as many campuses as they wish, at any time and at any age.

  • Coaches may recommend dates, but families set up these visits themselves.

  • Coaches can meet with athletes during unofficial visits unless the visit occurs during a dead period.

  • Schools may provide no financial support, except up to three complimentary admissions to a home athletic event.

  • NCAA rules restrict recruiting conversations before August 1 of junior year; prior to this, families can visit but coaches cannot discuss recruiting or arrange campus tours.


Impact of the Recruiting Calendar

Both types of visits are subject to NCAA recruiting calendars, which specify contact periods, evaluation periods, quiet periods, and dead periods.

  • Dead periods: No unofficial or official visits for athletic purposes allowed.

  • Contact and evaluation periods: Visits (with recruiting conversations) are permissible.

  • Quiet periods: On-campus recruiting is permitted, but no off-campus contact.

It’s essential for student-athletes and their families to check the sport-specific recruiting calendar for updates to visit eligibility.


Summary & Highlights

Feature

Official Visit

Unofficial Visit

Who pays

College/university

Athlete/family

Number allowed

Unlimited visits overall (DI), but one per school

Unlimited

Duration

Up to 48 hours (NCAA); 72 hours (U SPORTS)

Flexible

When allowed

Beginning Aug 1 junior year (varies by sport)

At any time, except dead periods

Coach contact

Yes

Limited before Aug 1 junior year

Restrictions

No visits during dead periods, eligibility required

No recruiting talk before junior year

Addtional Resources:

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