2020-21 Winter Break Housing and Meal Allowance

NJCAA member institutions may provide student-athletes with housing from the end of their Fall semester through the start of their Spring semester. During this time, member institutions, regardless of division, would be allowed to provide housing and meals to those student-athletes. Athletic contact is not permitted from December 16th through January 3rd. 

Member institutions must submit a formal letter of request for this exception to the NJCAA for consideration. Requests should be submitted to Robbie Rogers, Investigative & Compliance Associate at Rrogers@njcaa.org, detailing the request.

Current Open Gym bylaws would still apply between December 16th and January 3rd. Below is the Handbook excerpt of that bylaw:

During the period between terms when no organized athletic contact is permitted, the following would be allowable in accordance with Article VII, Section 2.A.4 related to Open Gyms:

  • A.4. Open Gyms: Are defined by the NJCAA as an institutional opportunity for all students to have the ability to experience. Open gyms must meet the following criteria:
    • A.4.a. Playing sites/venues must be open to all students currently enrolled at the college.
    • A.4.b. Open gym activity must be publicized through all normal communication channels within the campus.
    • A.4.c. Open gym activity must be for a designated time period.
    • A.4.d. Coach(es) may be present but may not have athletic contact with students.

The NJCAA Eligibility Committee provided clarification on the NJCAA Board of Regents' ruling: 

  1. Off-Campus Housing - Member institutions that do not have on-campus housing may still request approval, through the outlined process, to provide housing and or meals to student-athletes over the break. This allowance is not only limited to member institutions who have on-campus housing.
  2. Meal allowance – In accordance with current NJCAA bylaws, the allowance for meals during this time are capped at $15 or the normal cost of campus dining. (Article VI, Section 1.B.4.c.iv)
  3. Practice Beyond December 15th – As previously communicated, the Fall practice season concludes on December 15th. Those member institutions whose official fall term extends beyond December 15th, may continue to have off-season contact while the fall term is in session. All athletic contact must end no later than the final official day of the fall term or December 15th, whichever is later.