Athletics Department to receive $679,828 to aid student athletes, NCAA will monitor use of funds

According to a report from USA Today, the NCAA is expected to issue a one-time reimbursement payment to every Division I university’s athletic department to help aid student athletes.

Central Michigan University’s Athletics Department is expected to receive $679,828 for student-athletes’ academics and welfare initiatives.

The NCAA Board of Governors and its Division I Board of Directors approved the distribution. The money is expected to be distributed April 19.

The payment is part of a $200-million supplement distribution given to every Division I school. The money is being funded from a liquidation endowment. The amount of money each school will receive is based on the amount of scholarships each university provided during the 2013-14 school year.

CMU granted nearly 207 scholarships during the reviewed time period. CMU’s amount is the second lowest among Mid-American Conference schools. Eastern Michigan will receive the the highest reimbursement payment of the MAC schools with $871,145, while Kent State will receive the least with $669,461.

Before each university can spend the money, they must provide a plan for the intended use of the funds to the national office. Once the plan is approved by the national office, the university can begin spending.

Funds are expected to be put toward “the direct benefit of the student-athlete and their academic success, life skills, career success, health and safety and student-athlete focused diversity and inclusion initiatives,” according to a document on the NCAA’s website.

NCAA officials laid out areas where the universities can allocate funds. Those areas include advanced academic services, financial literacy programs, events to encourage women and ethnic minorities to pursue careers in athletics, and mental health programs, among many others.

The money cannot be used for coaches’ salaries, strength equipment or other expenditures aimed at increasing competition or fan experiences.

While schools will not be required to report on fund expenditures, they will be subject to a random audit by the NCAA internal audit department. Schools are advised to keep documents of their spending for up to 10 years.

A list of the amount of money each MAC school will receive is listed below.

Eastern Michigan - $871,145

Ball State - $839,451

Miami (OH) - $819,342

Buffalo - $810,587

Western Michigan - $797,180

Northern Illinois - $780,144

Ohio - $748,450

Akron - $743,645

Toledo - $720,014

Bowling Green - $685,390

Central Michigan - $679,828