16.5.1 Exceptions.

(a) Preseason Practice Expenses. The institution may provide the cost of housing and food to student-athletes who report for preseason practice before the start of the academic year, it being understood that the student-athlete has been accepted for admission to the institution at the time such benefits are received. Further, an institution, at its discretion, may provide an additional meal (or cash in an amount equal to the cost of an additional meal) to student-athletes to meet their nutritional needs as a benefit incidental to participation during the preseason practice period before the start of the academic year. (Revised: 1/9/06, 12/1/23)

(b) Vacation-Period Expenses. The institution may provide the cost of housing and food including an additional meal (or cash in an amount equal to the cost of an additional meal) to student-athletes to meet nutritional needs during the institution's official vacation periods in the following circumstances: [R] (Revised: 1/9/06, 12/1/23)

(1) Student-athletes who are required to remain on the institution's campus for organized practice sessions or competition during the institution's official vacation period during the regular academic year. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of housing and food may not be provided by the institution, other than to permit the student-athlete to participate in team meals incidental to practice sessions. If an institution does not provide a meal to its student-athletes, a cash allowance may be provided, not to exceed the amount provided by the institution to institutional staff members on away-from-campus trips. (Revised: 1/14/97, 1/11/00, 12/1/23)

(2) Student-athletes who return to campus during the institution's official vacation period occurring during a regular academic term (e.g., not including vacation periods between terms) from competition as outlined in Bylaw 16.8.1.2. Under such circumstances, housing and food expenses may be provided beginning with the student-athlete's arrival on campus until the institution's regular dormitories and dining facilities reopen. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of housing and food may not be provided by the institution. (Adopted: 1/11/00, Revised: 12/1/23)

(3) Student-athletes who return to campus during the institution's official vacation period between regular academic terms (e.g., summer vacation period) from competition as outlined in Bylaw 16.8.1.2. Under such circumstances, housing and food expenses may be provided for no more than a 48-hour period, beginning with the student-athlete's return to campus. If the student-athlete lives at home during the vacation period, the cost of housing and food may not be provided by the institution. (Adopted: 1/11/00, Revised: 12/1/23)

(c) Meals in Conjunction with Home Competition. The institution may provide meals to student-athletes at the institution's discretion on the day(s) of competition until they are released by institutional personnel. An institution shall not provide cash to student-athletes in lieu of meals during this time period. An institution, at its discretion, may provide a meal or cash, but not both, to student-athletes at the time of their release by institutional personnel. (Adopted: 4/11/11)

(d) Meals Missed Due to Practice Activities. An institution may provide a student-athlete with a meal when one is missed due to practice activities. The meal must be one that a student-athlete has previously paid for through food allowance and an institution must certify that institutional dining facilities are unavailable. (Adopted: 10/16/18, Revised: 12/1/23)

(e) Snacks and Nutritional Supplements. An institution may provide snacks and permissible nutritional supplements to student-athletes as a benefit incidental to participation and for the purpose of providing additional calories and electrolytes. Permissible nutritional supplements do not contain any NCAA banned substances and are identified according to the following classes: carbohydrate/electrolyte drinks, energy bars, carbohydrate boosters, protein supplements, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals. (Adopted: 1/27/20 effective 8/1/20)