Tag Archive for: NCAA Eligibility Waivers

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Montana Student-Athlete Granted a 9th Year of NCAA Eligibility

Last week, the NCAA approved a waiver granting a University of Montana football student-athlete a 9th year of eligibility after multiple documented injuries disrupted several seasons of participation throughout his career.

Situations like this are rare—but they underscore how the NCAA’s hardship waiver process can provide relief when extraordinary medical circumstances prevent a student-athlete from using their seasons of competition.

How Did He Reach a 9th Year?

Below is a timeline of his career based on publicly available information from the university:

  • 2018 – Underwent surgery prior to the start of the season
  • 2019 – Additional surgery related to the same injury
  • 2020 – Knee surgery following a summer injury (also the COVID eligibility relief year)
  • 2021 – Redshirt season
  • 2022 – Competed the full season
  • 2023 – Suffered another injury during training camp
  • 2024 – Played in the majority of the season
  • 2025 – Competed the full season
  • 2026 – Approved for a 9th year to complete a 4th season of competition

Why This Matters for Other Student-Athletes

This case illustrates how the NCAA may consider:

  • Repeated, documented medical hardships
  • Season-ending injuries occurring early in a season
  • The impact of the COVID relief year
  • Detailed medical documentation and institutional support
  • A clear history showing the athlete did not receive the intended competitive opportunities

Each waiver request is evaluated individually, and outcomes depend heavily on medical records, timelines, and how the case is presented.

Do You Have Questions About a Possible Additional Year of Eligiblity?

For the past 18 years, we have assisted hundreds of college student-athletes successfully navigate through the waivers and appeal process to continue playing the sport they  love.

If your student-athlete has experienced injuries, missed seasons, or other circumstances that may qualify for an extra year, we can answer your questions, discuss their specific situation, and provide options to consider.

To get started, schedule a confidential waivers and appeals consult online, call our office at 913-766-1235 or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

 

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NCAA DIII Eligibility Waiver “Pilot Program”

The NCAA Division III Presidents Council recently approved a pilot program, just for the 2025-26 academic year, that may benefit athletes in academic programs that meet a specific set of criteria.

This program will allow athletes to compete for one D3 university while enrolled at another university, as long as the other university does not sponsor a varsity intercollegiate athletic program and there is a formal academic agreement between the two institutions.

If your Division III athlete is interested in learning more about this opportunity, we recommend that you contact athletic administrators at your D3 institution as they will need to submit a waiver request to the NCAA on the athlete’s behalf.

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NCAA Limited Eligibility Waiver for DI Spring Sport Athletes

NCAA Division I student-athletes who have had their 2021 Spring sports season cancelled or suspended will have the opportunity to receive a waiver for limited competition with other college opponents so that they will not be charged with a season of eligibility.

This is NOT a blanket waiver that will automatically be applied for Spring sport athletes. A Division I university will need to request this waiver on behalf of any of their spring sport athletes who have been impacted by a cancelled or suspended season.

An example of how this waiver may be applied by the NCAA is the following:

The Ivy League cancelled conference competition and conference championship events for Spring sports. However, they left open the option for their universities to engage in local non-conference competition if permitted by local and regional health guidelines.

In a situation such as this, it will be possible for those D1 student-athletes to participate in limited competition and not be charged with using one of their seasons of eligibility if a waiver is approved for them by the NCAA.

This action was taken by the Division I Council because “The decision of schools and/or conferences to cancel spring sport seasons was outside of the control of the student-athletes.”

To qualify for this waiver, the student-athletes will not be allowed to participate in more than 30% of the maximum contests or dates of competition for that particular sport. Also, any such competition must not take place after the date that the NCAA selects teams for postseason competition in that sport.

Do You Need Advice?

If you have questions regarding how this waiver may be applied in your athlete’s specific situation, you can schedule a confidential Waivers and Appeals Consult online. You can also contact us directly by sending an email to rick@informedathlete.com or by calling 913-766-1235 to arrange a consult session.

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