High school NIL: Allowed

Vermont high school NIL rules

Yes. High school athletes in Vermont can take NIL deals, with conditions.

Tell the school: None statewide
Agents: Allowed
If a rule is broken: Eligibility lost: that sport only
Reaches middle school: Generally no

High school

Who sets the rules

Vermont Principals' Association (VPA)

The rule

VPA High School Policies 2026-27 (effective August 2026), Section 9 'Vermont Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Policy': students may earn from commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media, product/service ads and NFTs, but may not reference the school or VPA, wear school uniforms or logos, or endorse third parties during school team activities.

Tell the school

None statewide

None. No reporting requirement, form, deadline or threshold.

Off limits

No school/VPA reference, uniforms or marks; no third-party promotion during team activities; prohibited categories: adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco/nicotine/vape, cannabis, controlled substances, prescription pharmaceuticals, casinos/gambling (including Vermont State Lottery), weapons/firearms/ammunition. Fuller VPA policy document adds: school employees/contractors/volunteers may not act as the student's representative, promise NIL to entice transfer/enrollment, give NIL-related financial benefits, or form/direct/engage an NIL collective. No parent-signature requirement.

Agents

Allowed

Fuller VPA policy: students and families may work with professional service providers such as agents and advisors.

If a rule is broken

Violation may constitute loss of amateur status; the LEA makes the determination; if ineligible the student waits 60 school days before reinstatement; appeals to VPA Office, then Activity Standards Committee, then Appeals Committee. Amateur status is lost per sport (loss in one sport does not affect others).

Middle school, club and travel ball

VPA policy applies to interscholastic athletics; 8th graders playing on high school teams fall under high school expectations. VPA has a separate Middle School Athletic Policies document which contains no NIL or amateur-status text. Club play not governed.

Recent changes

2026-27 policies (effective August 2026) condensed the NIL section; the agent/collective language now appears only in the fuller standalone VPA NIL policy document linked from the VPA site. No substantive change identified.

College state law

No state law

The law

None.

Disclosure

None (NCAA/House settlement rules only).

Schools paying athletes

Not addressed by state law.

For high school recruits

None.

Recent changes

None found; a 2020 bill (H.797) was introduced and did not pass.

NCAA Division I, everywhere

Every deal worth $600 or more (added up per payer) entered since July 1, 2025 or the start of junior year, whichever is later, must be reported through NIL Go within 14 days of starting classes or before the first game.

Recruits enrolling on or after August 1, 2026 may hire agents under the April 15, 2026 Division I rule. The NJCAA still ends eligibility for a written agent agreement.

The full college-bound guide

Quick answers

Can high school athletes in Vermont make NIL money?

Yes. High school athletes in Vermont can take NIL deals, with conditions. VPA High School Policies 2026-27 (effective August 2026), Section 9 'Vermont Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Policy': students may earn from commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media, product/service ads and NFTs, but may not reference the school or VPA, wear school uniforms or logos, or endorse third parties during school team activities.

Do Vermont athletes have to tell the school about an NIL deal?

None statewide. None. No reporting requirement, form, deadline or threshold.

Does a travel ball or club deal count in Vermont?

State association rules follow the athlete, not where the deal came from. A deal through a travel team is fine as long as nothing ties back to the school team. VPA policy applies to interscholastic athletics; 8th graders playing on high school teams fall under high school expectations. VPA has a separate Middle School Athletic Policies document which contains no NIL or amateur-status text. Club play not governed.

Can a Vermont high school athlete use an agent for NIL?

Allowed. Fuller VPA policy: students and families may work with professional service providers such as agents and advisors.

Sources

Last verified November 4, 2026. High school rule text: VPA High School Policies 2026-2027, effective August 2026.

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