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New NCAA D2 Age-Based Eligibility Rule

On August 5, the NCAA Division II Executive Board adopted emergency legislation to approve a new age-based eligibility rule that basically duplicates the rule approved by Division I in June.

Key Points to Know About the NEW D2 Rule

D2 athletes will be able to compete during all five years of their eligibility clock. The five-year clock begins with the earlier of initial full-time college enrollment or the academic year immediately following the student-athlete’s 19th birthday.

The new rule eliminates the ability for D2 athletes to “manage” their 10 semesters or 15 quarters of full-time enrollment. Athletes not enrolled full-time in Spring 2026 must use their remaining terms of full-time enrollment consecutively once they re-enroll.

Waivers for medical redshirt seasons or to otherwise extend an athlete’s five-year period will be nearly eliminated.  If an athlete becomes injured and is not able to compete during a season, they will not be able to regain that year.

Under the new rule, waivers will be limited to pregnancy, active-duty military service, or an official religious mission, provided the athlete does not participate in organized competition during that time.

Current student-athletes who believe they have valid reasons to request a waiver for an additional season of D2 eligibility or an extension of their five-year eligibility period must have their waivers submitted by the following dates:

  • August 31, 2026 for student-athletes in Fall sports, as well as golf or tennis.
  • September 30, 2026 for winter and spring sport student-athletes.

How Student-Athletes Will Be Impacted:

Current college athletes who have already used four seasons of competition will not benefit from this new rule.

Current athletes with at least one season of competition remaining under the current “four seasons” rule will be eligible for a fifth season, provided they have time remaining on their eligibility clock.

Prospects enrolling full-time in college for the 2026–27 academic year may use either the new rule or the current eligibility rules, whichever is more beneficial. 

Prospects enrolling full-time in any college or university Fall 2027 or later must follow the new age-based rule. 

 Do You Have Questions?

If you have questions and are concerned how this new rule will impact your athlete, schedule a confidential eligibility consultation online, send an email to rick@informedathlete.com or call our office at 913-766-1235.

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NCAA DI Cabinet Meeting Actions

Academic eligibility requirements for an athlete transferring to a Division I university from a two-year college were revised, effective immediately.  There were too many changes to list all of them here, but the main changes are:

  • Reduction of the required transferable grade-point-average from 2.500 to 2.000.
  • Elimination of certain credit hour requirements for athletes who were Non-qualifiers based on their high school academic record.
  • 4-2-4 transfers who were Qualifiers based on their high school academic record will not be required to graduate from the two-year college before transferring to a Division I athletic program.  For a detailed review and discussion of how these new rules will impact your athlete’s transfer to Division I from a two-year college, schedule a Transfer consultation online, call 913-766-1235 or write to rick@informedathlete.com.
  • Also, the requirement for a high school athlete to complete at least one natural or physical science course that included a lab component was eliminated.  At least two years of natural or physical science courses will still be required to be a Qualifier, but the need for at least one of those to be a laboratory course is no longer required.
  • A proposal from the Men’s Soccer Oversight Committee to change the playing season to both semesters of the academic year was remanded back to the Committee for further review.
  • The Division I Cabinet had concerns about midyear enrollees or transfers possibly joining a team in the middle of a two-semester playing season, as well as how scheduling discretion that had been recommended for schools and conferences would impact championship selection criteria and timing.

If you have any questions about these changes and how they could affect your student-athlete, contact us at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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NCAA DI Spring Sport Transfer Portal Dates

The remaining available Transfer Portal windows for NCAA Division I athletes on Spring sports teams are listed below;

Baseball:  June 1-30

Men’s Golf:  June 4-18

Women’s Rowing:  May 26 – June 24

Softball:  June 8-22

Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field:  May 28 – June 26

Exceptions:

  • In Division I sports other than basketball, football and ice hockey, there is a 30-day Transfer Window available for any student-athlete immediately following their coach retiring, being fired or leaving to take another job.
  • Other exceptions may be available depending upon the sport and circumstances.

Schedule a confidential consultation online for an explanation of the steps, rules and academic requirements to be eligible as a transferring student-athlete, or by calling us at 913-766-1235 or sending an email to rick@informedathlete.com

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NCAA DI 2026 Spring Sport Transfer Portal Dates

With many Spring sports approaching or at the end of the regular season, here are the remaining opening and closing Transfer Portal dates for NCAA Division I Spring sport athletes:

Baseball:  June 1-30
Women’s Beach Volleyball:  May 3-June 1
Men’s Golf:  June 4-18
Women’s Golf:  May 28-June 11
Lacrosse:  May 10-June 8
Women’s Rowing:  May 26-June 24
Softball:  June 8-22
Tennis:  May 4-June 2
Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field:  May 28-June 26
Men’s Volleyball:  May 3-June 1

Exceptions:

  • Postgraduate transfers in sports other than football may enter the Transfer Portal at any time up until the final date for their specific sport.
  • There are also possible exceptions for Division I student-athletes who have had a change of head coach or who have had their scholarship reduced, cancelled or nonrenewed.

NCAA Division II athletes can enter the Transfer Portal any time until June 15, and Division III athletes can enter the Transfer Portal whenever you’re ready to do so. Keep in mind, however, that you will probably be removed from your current team as soon as you inform them of your plan to transfer.

Schedule a confidential Tranfer Consultation online for an explanation of the steps, rules and academic requirements to be eligible as a transferring student-athlete, or by calling us at 913-766-1235 or sending an email  to rick@informedathlete.com.

 

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JUCO to NCAA Transfer Eligibility Rules – What Student-Athletes Need to Know!

When a junior college (JUCO) student-athlete plans to transfer to an NCAA school, any academic eligibility issues can create serious roadblocks in the transfer process.

If those issues are not identified until after the student-athlete has already enrolled and started classes at the NCAA university, they may be ineligible to compete during their first year.

It’s also important to understand that student-athletes who begin their college careers at a junior college often face different academic requirements to be eligible in their first year at an NCAA institution.

For example: 

Was the student-athlete a “qualifier” or “non-qualifier” (as defined by the NCAA) based on their high school academic record?  

This distinction is critical, as it determines the academic requirements the student-athlete must meet while at the junior college in order to be eligible to compete during their first year at an NCAA university.

How many semesters did the junior college student-athlete attend the junior college as a full-time student? 

It can be a good thing to take a part-time course load at a junior college in some situations.

Was the junior college student-athlete required to earn their Associates Degree to be academically eligible upon transfer to an NCAA university?

If a junior college transfer athlete has not satisfied all necessary NCAA academic requirements BEFORE they begin attending their new university, they won’t be eligible to compete during their first academic year of attendance and also may not be qualified to receive an athletic scholarship!

These are the types of issues that can derail a junior college student-athlete’s athletic and academic career and end up costing them personally and financially.

Knowing your eligibility status ahead of time can allow a student-athlete to make the adjustments that are needed to avoid disappointment and possibly financial problems down the road.

If you are a junior college transfer athlete (or parent of one) and you are uncertain about your NCAA academic eligibility status, informed Athlete can help:

If you have questions, contact Rick Allen at rick@informedathlete.com or call our office at 913-766-1235.

 

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NCAA Transfer Portal News

Division I Transfer Rule: Significant Penalties Approved

The NCAA Division I Cabinet has approved a new rule across all sports that imposes penalties on programs that allow a student-athlete to transfer in from another NCAA institution without properly entering the Transfer Portal.

Under this rule:

  • The head coach will be suspended from coaching duties for 50% of the season, and
  • The institution will face a financial penalty equal to 20% of that sport’s budget.

This rule is effective immediately and will be applied retroactively to any transfer occurring on or after February 25, 2026.

Division II Considering Transfer Windows

At its March meeting, the NCAA Division II Legislation Committee discussed the possibility of implementing sport-specific Transfer Portal windows for Division II student-athletes—similar to the limited windows currently used in Division I.

To support this discussion, NCAA staff will compile sport-by-sport data showing when Division II athletes have been entering the Transfer Portal.

This information will help guide ongoing conversations and potential rule changes in the coming months.

For Division II Football, the Committee also reviewed a request from coaches to establish a transfer window that would align with Division I’s January window.

Need Help Navigating Transfer Rules?

If you have questions about how these potential changes could impact your student-athlete, schedule a confidential Transfer Consultation online, email rick@informedathlete.com, or call 913-766-1235.

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NCAA Considers Stronger Penalties Against Schools for Improper DI Transfers

To prevent athletes from transferring to an NCAA Division I program without entering the Transfer Portal through the required notification process, the Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Subcommittee recently recommended that the Division I Cabinet impose significant penalties on any university that allows an athlete to join its team outside of the established portal procedures.

Under current rules, an athlete may still transfer to another university and remain eligible without entering the Transfer Portal, provided the athlete and their family follow the conditions and steps listed below.

  • The athlete must apply and be admitted to the new university through the normal transfer admissions process, just like any other student. The athletic department may not assist in facilitating the transfer.
  • The athlete may not communicate with athletic department staff members at the new school — either directly or through family members or third parties.
  • The athlete may not join the team or participate in athletically related activities until they are officially enrolled and attending classes at the university.

However, if this recommendation is approved by the Division I Cabinet in April, the following penalties could be imposed:

  • The head football coach would be prohibited from all coaching, recruiting, and administrative duties for six games.
  • The university would be fined an amount equal to 20% of its football program budget.
  • The football program’s roster limit would be reduced for the following season.

Just days after the Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee issued its recommendation, the Division I Cabinet signaled its support for the proposal.

The Cabinet also endorsed the idea of applying a similar penalty structure across all Division I sports programs, not just football.

A formal vote of the full Cabinet membership is expected to occur in mid-April.

For questions about this action and the potential impact on your athlete, write to rick@informedathlete.com or call us at 913-766-1235.

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NCAA DI Winter Sport Transfer Portal Dates

With many Winter sports approaching the end of the regular season, here are the opening and closing Transfer Portal dates for NCAA Division I Winter sport athletes:

Men’s Basketball:  April 7-21

Women’s Basketball:  April 6-20

Bowling:  April 1-May 15

Equestrian:  April 8-May 22

Fencing:  March 17-April 30

Men’s Gymnastics:  April 14-May 28

Women’s Gymnastics:  March 30-May 13

Men’s Ice Hockey:  April 13-27

Women’s Ice Hockey:  March 23-April 6

Indoor Track and Field:  May 28-June 26

Rifle:  March 2-April 15

Skiing:  March 10-April 23

Men’s Swimming/Diving:  March 18-May 1

Women’s Swimming/Diving:  March 11-April 24

Men’s Wrestling:  April 1-30

Women’s Wrestling:  March 2-April 15

Exceptions:

  • There are exceptions for Division I student-athletes who will be transferring as a postgraduate student and for those who have had their sport discontinued at their school.
  • There is also a 30-day Transfer Window available for Division I student-athletes in Winter sports other than basketball and ice hockey immediately following their coach being fired or leaving to take another job.

Also, if you’re an NCAA Division II or III athlete, you can enter the Transfer Portal whenever you’re ready to do so. Keep in mind, however, that you will probably be removed from your current team as soon as you inform them of your plan to transfer. 

Questions About Your Athlete’s Situation?

For an explanation of the steps, rules and academic requirements to be eligible as a transferring student-athlete and to discuss your athlete’s specific situation and available options, schedule a confidential Transfer consultation online, call our office at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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Don’t Believe These 5 College Eligibility Myths

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been contacted by a number of athletes or families who have been given incorrect information regarding seasons of eligibility or the opportunity for a waiver for another season.

These “myths” may have been found in an online article or may have been given to an athlete directly by a coach or a recruiter and include:

“Our son qualifies for a Pavia Waiver to have another season of eligibility.”

 It is true that the NCAA issued a “blanket waiver” regarding seasons of eligibility in the wake of the lawsuit that had been filed against the NCAA by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, but that waiver is no longer available.

“If you don’t have any statistics in a game, you don’t use a season of eligibility.”

That myth was provided by a JUCO coach to a football athlete whose only participation was to be the holder on field goals and PAT’s.  Think about this – IF that were true, most offensive linemen would never be charged with a season of eligibility!!

 “As long as you graduate from your junior college, you can be eligible to compete when you transfer to a four-year university.” 

Graduation from a JUCO is often required to be eligible at an NCAA program, but there are often other academic requirements as well.  Those requirements can depend on factors such as your high school academic record as well as how many semesters (or quarters) you have attended a JUCO.

“My daughter participated in less than 20 percent of her season so shouldn’t be charged with a season of eligibility.” 

That is true when an athlete is participating in an NAIA athletic program, but does not apply in the NCAA, except in specific situations.

“My coach told me that playing on the JV team does not count as a season of eligibility.”

 In most situations, depending upon the sport and the college division or level, any amount of competition when representing your college or university counts as using a season of eligibility.

Do You Have Questions?

To discuss your athlete’s past participation or their future options for eligibility, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consult online, e-mail rick@informedathlete.com or call our office at 913-766-1235.

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NCAA DIII Convention Actions

Transfer Portal

The NCAA Transfer Portal is currently optional for Division III schools.

However, starting in August 2026, the Transfer Portal will become mandatory for all D3 member universities.

Until then, D3 athletes must follow their school’s chosen process:

  • Transfer Portal notification method or the
  • “Permission to Contact” method.

The option of a D3 athlete’s opportunity to utilize a “self-release” will remain permissible if they are interested in contacting coaches at another D3 program.

Schedule a confidential Transfer Consultation to talk through your athlete’s unique situation, understand available options, and receive guidance on navigating the transfer process.

Season of Eligibility

A proposal that would have charged Division III athletes with a season of eligibility only if they competed in a contest during the season was defeated.

This means Division III athletes will continue to be charged with one of their four permissible seasons of participation even if their involvement during a season is limited to practicing with the team and they never appear in a game.

This also means that if a D3 athlete wants to have an additional season of eligibility, it will be even more important to manage their season by

  • Stepping away from the team before the season begins or
  • Having a clear understanding of the rules and guidelines for a Medical Hardship Waiver to possibly get a season “over again” if they are injured or become ill during a season.

Schedule an Eligibility Consultation online or reach out at rick@informedathlete.com or 913-766-1235 for guidance on how your athlete’s season of eligibility will be counted.

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