January 31, 2013

NCAA Money for Student Assistance Lands in Many Pockets, Big Ten Document Shows

NCAA Money for Student Assistance Lands in Many Pockets, Big Ten Document Shows 1

Matthew Holst, Getty Images

University of Iowa men's basketball players huddle before a game last month. The university's report on how it spent NCAA student-assistance funds last year has drawn questions.

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close NCAA Money for Student Assistance Lands in Many Pockets, Big Ten Document Shows 1

Matthew Holst, Getty Images

University of Iowa men's basketball players huddle before a game last month. The university's report on how it spent NCAA student-assistance funds last year has drawn questions.

By Brad Wolverton

Amid a national debate about paying college athletes, the NCAA likes to tout its often-overlooked Student Assistance Fund, whose goal is to provide direct financial support to players. The fund—which draws from the association's multibillion-dollar media-rights deals—will distribute some $75-million this year to Division I athletes.

The money has helped colleges reimburse players