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Helpful NIL links
The official sites, rules and support lines that matter for NIL, sorted by who you are and what you need: governing bodies, state associations and laws, taxes, disclosure rules, recruiting, education and mental health. Pick your role to see your list.
26 links for institution or team: clubs and teams.
Compliance and rules
- Title IX and sex discrimination(opens in a new tab)
The U.S. Department of Education's Title IX page, which covers equal opportunity in school athletics.
ed.gov
- Protecting Student Privacy (FERPA)(opens in a new tab)
The Department of Education's guidance on student records privacy, which applies to what a school shares about its athletes.
studentprivacy.ed.gov
- FTC: children's privacy (COPPA)(opens in a new tab)
The FTC's guidance for businesses that collect information from children under 13.
ftc.gov
Governing bodies
- Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)(opens in a new tab)
The AAU's youth and club programs, events and membership.
aausports.org
Taxes and money
- IRS: get an employer identification number (EIN)(opens in a new tab)
How to get an EIN for a business, free from the IRS.
irs.gov
- IRS: charities and nonprofits(opens in a new tab)
The IRS's guide to tax-exempt organizations and charitable contributions.
irs.gov
Financial literacy
- MyMoney.gov(opens in a new tab)
The federal government's financial literacy site: earning, saving, borrowing and protecting money.
mymoney.gov
- CFPB youth financial education(opens in a new tab)
Free lesson plans and tools for teaching young people about money.
consumerfinance.gov
- FDIC Money Smart(opens in a new tab)
Free financial education from the FDIC for young people and adults.
fdic.gov
Education and courses
- College Sports Commission glossary(opens in a new tab)
Definitions of the terms the commission's rules use, such as associated entities.
collegesportscommission.org
- NFHS Learning Center courses(opens in a new tab)
Online courses for high school coaches, administrators, officials, parents and students.
nfhslearn.com
- Project Play (Aspen Institute)(opens in a new tab)
Research and playbooks for youth sports organizations, coaches and parents.
projectplay.org
Mental health and wellness
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline(opens in a new tab)
Call or text 988, or chat online, any time, for free and confidential support.
988lifeline.org
- Crisis Text Line(opens in a new tab)
Free, 24/7 support by text with a trained volunteer crisis counselor.
crisistextline.org
- SAMHSA National Helpline(opens in a new tab)
Free, confidential treatment referral and information for mental health and substance use, any time.
samhsa.gov
- FindTreatment.gov(opens in a new tab)
Find licensed treatment facilities for mental health and substance use near you.
findtreatment.gov
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)(opens in a new tab)
Education, support groups and a helpline for people with mental health conditions and their families.
nami.org
- The Trevor Project(opens in a new tab)
Crisis support and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people.
thetrevorproject.org
- National Eating Disorders Association(opens in a new tab)
Information and support for eating disorders, which affect athletes in every sport.
nationaleatingdisorders.org
Health, safety and protection
- U.S. Center for SafeSport(opens in a new tab)
Abuse prevention, training and reporting for sports organizations.
uscenterforsafesport.org
- CDC HEADS UP: concussion(opens in a new tab)
Recognizing and responding to concussion, for parents, coaches and schools.
cdc.gov
- Korey Stringer Institute(opens in a new tab)
Research and guidance on preventing sudden death in sport, including heat illness.
koreystringer.institute.uconn.edu
- NetSmartz (NCMEC)(opens in a new tab)
Online safety education for kids, teens and parents from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
missingkids.org
- NCMEC CyberTipline(opens in a new tab)
Report online exploitation of a child.
report.cybertip.org
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov(opens in a new tab)
Report a scam or fraud, such as a fake sponsorship offer, to the FTC.
reportfraud.ftc.gov
Running a business
- SBA: launch your business(opens in a new tab)
Choosing a business structure, registering and getting licenses.
sba.gov
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These links go to sites we don't run. We check each one every week and take down any that stop working. For explanations in plain English, start with the NIL Knowledge Hub or the free resource library.
This is general information, not legal advice. NIL rules differ by state, school, association and sport, and they change often. Check the official sources linked on this page and talk with your school's compliance office, your state association or a licensed attorney before you sign anything.
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