The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Initiates New Support for Student-Athletes Through Alston Ruling
11/18/2021 | Athletics
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss is the first Southeastern Conference school to provide its student-athletes with newfound benefits as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Alston v. NCAA. Eligible Rebel student-athletes will begin receiving the new financial support Friday.
"As soon as the ruling came down, we recognized this as an opportunity to enhance our student-athlete experience and immediately took steps to initiate the additional support," said Keith Carter, Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. "These benefits in addition to the proactive approach we have taken in the NIL space through the Next Level program are intended to offer our student-athletes as much financial support as any institution in college athletics.
"I appreciate the hard work by our Alston committee and campus partners, including Financial Aid, Procurement and the Bursar's Office, to quickly formulate a plan and put it into action."
The Alston decision in September granted universities the opportunity to provide student-athletes with additional education-related benefits and direct financial support in the form of academic achievement awards, up to the legally established maximum of $5,980 per year.
Following the court's ruling, the SEC presidents and chancellors confirmed that each member university has the discretion to determine criteria and methods to provide education-related benefits and academic achievement awards to their student-athletes.
Eligible Ole Miss student-athletes are receiving an achievement award for $2990 each fall and spring semester to reach the maximum legal amount.