Tag Archive for: NCAA eligibility

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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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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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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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Why Your Student-Athlete Should NOT Withdraw From Classes!

A question that we often receive early in the school year is whether a student-athlete can withdraw from some or all of their classes without an eligibility “penalty.”  An athlete might wish to do this due to an injury or illness or second thoughts about their college choice.


If your athlete has already started attending their college classes this Fall as a full-time enrolled student, keep the following in mind:

Withdrawing from just one class may not harm eligibility if they will still be carrying a full-time course load.  However, If they withdraw from all courses, they’ll lose all their academic credits for this term which will damage their future eligibility.

Dropping a course later in the term to avoid a failing grade that will hurt the athlete’s GPA may be OK depending upon their circumstances, but you should encourage them to finish the semester (or quarter) if possible, instead of withdrawing from their courses.

To discuss a potential withdrawal situation and how it could impact your athlete’s eligibility, schedule a confidential Eligibility Consult online, e-mail rick@informedathlete.com or call our office at 913-766-1235.

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Frequently Asked Questions This Time of Year

With fall sports and classes starting, here’s a sample of some of the questions we frequently get this time of year: 

  • I’ve started practice with my college team, but I’m not sure this is the right fit for me and I’m thinking about leaving. Will that hurt my eligibility?
  • When does my eligibility “clock” start?
  • Will I be considered a transfer athlete if I leave this team after starting practices at this college?
  • What happens to my eligibility if I withdraw from classes after starting the semester?
  • My new coach just informed me that I likely won’t receive any playing time this season.  Do I have any options to transfer at this late date?  Or, could I take a gap year? 
  • I just learned that I may not be able to be eligible at my new college this year because I don’t have enough transferable credit hours.  Do I have any options for a waiver at this point?
  • How do I redshirt at the NCAA Division III level?

Do you have questions like these or others? 

We can help you in a confidential phone, Video, or What’s App consultation.  At one of these links, select a consultation:  Eligibility Issues Consult, a Transfer Consult, or a Scholarship Strategies Consult.  Don’t worry about whether you’re choosing the correct category of consultation.

Regardless of which category you choose, we will discuss your athlete’s specific situation, answer all your questions, and explain what options your athlete can consider.  Your privacy is our highest priority, therefore everything discussed is held in the highest confidence.  

You can also contact us directly by calling our office at 913-766-1235 or by sending an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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Should High School Recruits Consider a Gap Year?

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Common Questions Student-Athletes Ask This Time of Year

With fall sport practices starting recently at many colleges, and classes starting soon, here’s a sample of some of the questions we’ve received recently:

  • I’ve started practice with my college team, but I’m not sure this is the right fit for me and I’m thinking about leaving. When does my eligibility “clock” start?
  • Will I be considered a transfer athlete if I leave this team after starting practices at this college?
  • My new coach just informed me that I likely won’t receive any playing time this season. Do I have any options to transfer at this late date? Also, is there any way I can “protect” my scholarship for this year, or at least part of the year?
  • I just learned that I may not be able to be eligible at my new college this year because I don’t have enough transferable credit hours. Do I have any options for a waiver at this point?

If you or your athlete have questions like these, we can discuss your specific situation, answer your questions, and explain what options might be possible.

Schedule a confidential Eligibility Consult, a Transfer Consult, or a Scholarship Strategies Consult online at one of these links. Don’t worry about whether you’re choosing the correct category of consultation. Regardless of which category you choose, we’ll be sure to confidentially answer your questions and explain what options your athlete can consider.

You can also contact us directly by calling our office at 913-766-1235 or by sending an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

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How much NCAA eligibility does your student-athlete have available?

As many of you know, most Spring sport college athletes at NCAA schools were granted an additional year of eligibility for Spring 2020 since seasons were cancelled due to COVID-19.

Also, many athletes currently in Fall sports at their college are being granted an additional year of eligibility.

Did you know that your athlete might be able to gain even another additional year of eligibility if he/she:

  • Missed two seasons previously (before COVID) due to circumstances beyond their control,
  • Or were redshirted in their freshman year and then missed one other season due to circumstances outside their control?

There may not be many athletes (or parents!!) who are interested in having eligibility available for a possible 7th year of college attendance. However, while somewhat rare, it is certainly possible under the right set of circumstances.

For example, it might be something to consider for an athlete who may need a 7th year of college to complete a Master’s Degree or a second undergrad degree if the athlete has decided to change majors.

Not knowing, understanding, and meeting the eligibility rules can have serious short and long-term consequences. Problems meeting the eligibility standards can set back and even derail a student-athlete’s entire athletic career.

We help athletes and families by explaining the specific rules regarding your eligibility “timeline” and discuss how you may be able to gain additional eligibility.

We also regularly help families by reviewing their waiver documentation to make sure it’s in order and by proofreading and editing personal statements from athletes and parents that will support the waiver request.

Schedule your confidential Waivers and Appeals Consult Online to explore whether your athlete qualifies for an opportunity to regain or extend their eligibility. Or Contact us to schedule at rick@informedathlete.com or by calling 913-766-1235.

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Student-Athletes: Consider This Before Dropping a Class!

College athletes who are struggling in a class and are thinking about dropping a class before a final exam should stop and consider a few things before they take action:

  • Will dropping the class affect my current eligibility right now? If it drops you below full-time status, you’ll be immediately ineligible for competition.
  • Will dropping the class affect my eligibility next semester? That depends upon your specific situation. For some football athletes, it could even affect your eligibility next Fall.
  • If I don’t drop the class, but fail it, how might that affect my eligibility? If your GPA drops too low, you may be ineligible for next semester.

What other implications are there that I’m not thinking about?

In a confidential phone consultation, we will discuss your specific situation and the impact that dropping a class or possibly staying in it but failing the course can have on your current and future eligibility.

Schedule your Eligibility Issues Consult online or call our office at 913-766-1235.

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NCAA Preferred Walk-on: Do you know what this means?

“NCAA Preferred Walk-on” is a term that is frequently seen on social media when a high-school athlete announces that they have accepted a “preferred walk-on” offer from a University’s coaching staff.

What exactly is an NCAA Preferred Walk-on?  That term actually means nothing more than whatever that coaching staff intends it to mean.
At one university, an NCAA Preferred Walk-on may be guaranteed a spot on the team roster, while at another university, it may only mean that the athlete doesn’t have to go through an open tryout to participate in early Fall practices after classes begin.

What is more important for an NCAA Preferred Walk-on is whether they are considered “recruited” to their university team.
This can be an important factor in their opportunity to be immediately eligible if they decide to transfer after a year or two to a Division I program.  For certain sports, it can mean the difference between being immediately eligible for competition and a scholarship at their new university, or serving a “year in residence” before they can compete.

If you have questions about the definition of a “recruited” athlete and how that may impact a potential transfer opportunity, contact us at rick@informedathlete.com, or 913-766-1235.

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