Employment - Oregon State University Athletics

NCAA rules permit you to earn income through legitimate employment opportunities. However, the NCAA has established several requirements designed to ensure that your employment is consistent with the principles of amateurism and the prohibition on extra benefits. It is important to understand and comply with these rules to avoid impacting your eligibility.

You may receive employment compensation:

Only for work that is actually performed;
Only for the number of hours actually worked;
At a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the area.

You may not receive:

Payment for value that you bring to the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that you obtained because of your athletics ability;
Transportation to work or other benefits, unless the same benefits are available equally to all employees;

The following additional limitations will apply if you are receiving compensation for providing instruction in your sport (i.e. "fee for lesson"):

Student-Athlete’s may receive payment for giving lessons in their sport as long as they do not use University facilities;
They must actually provide skill instruction - "playing lessons" are not permitted;
Their compensation must be paid by the lesson recipient or the recipient's family and not another outside individual or entity;
They may not use their identity to advertise lesson availability.

Prior to beginning employment, student-athletes must have their job registered with the Compliance Office. A job is properly registered with the Compliance Office only after the student-athlete completes and signs the appropriate Student-Athlete Employment Form with their Employer’s signature for the Academic Year or the Summer. For student-athlete’s that wish to hold Fee for Lesson instructions, they must complete the appropriate Fee for Lesson Form and request approval from the Compliance Office prior to beginning the lessons. All student-athletes may work during the academic year, intersession terms and official University vacation periods, such as spring break and summer vacation, provided the employment is legitimate and does not violate any NCAA regulations.

Playing and Practice Seasons

Outside Competition