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The NCAA placed the University of Nebraska's athletic programs on two years' probation and levied a $38,000 fine Wednesday over athletes receiving impermissible benefits.
The violations stemmed from 492 student-athletes receiving supplemental books and academic supplies from 2007-10. The items were in excess of the allowable amount by $28,000, the NCAA said in a release.
The NCAA said its rules allow each student-athlete on scholarship to receive only the textbooks and supplies required for their courses.
The fine, which was initially proposed by the school, will be donated to local charities. Nebraska reported the violations to the NCAA last summer.
The NCAA termed the violations as "major" but "narrow in scope." The athletic department was charged with a failure to monitor because of how many athletes were involved and because of the violations occurring for five academic years, the NCAA said.
The probationary period will run through Jan. 31, 2014, meaning any violations committed by the university in that period could result in a harsher penalty.
