2018-19 Guide fr Fur-Year Transfers Fr student-athletes at fur-year clleges
table f cntents 3 4 5 6 16 18 21 22 25 What Shuld I Think Abut Befre Transferring? The intrductin prvides general infrmatin abut the transfer prcess. Fcus n Yur Degree The likelihd f a cllege athlete becming a prfessinal athlete is lw; see the numbers. Transfer Checklist Track the things yu need t d and the questins yu need t ask t ensure a successful transfer experience. Hw D the Transfer Rules Apply t Me? Fllw a step-by-step walkthrugh f the NCAA transfer prcess. When Can I Play? Review the rules regarding when transfers actually can cmpete fr their new schls. Transfer Exceptins Certain exceptins culd allw yu t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year at yur new schl. Cntinuing Eligibility The length f time yu may cmpete fr an NCAA schl will be based in part n cntinuing eligibility rules. Imprtant NCAA Definitins Learn sme key definitins abut the transfer prcess. Where t Find Mre Infrmatin Find a list f websites and addresses that will aid yu in yur transfer prcess.
What Shuld I Think Abut Befre Transferring? Student-athlete success n the field, in the classrm and in life is at the heart f the NCAA s missin. Yur cllege experience shuld give yu the pprtunity t receive a quality educatin and take yur place amng the student-athletes wh have attended cllege, played sprts, received their degrees and gne n t make imprtant cntributins t sciety. NCAA transfer rules are designed t help student-athletes such as yu make sensible decisins abut the best place t earn a degree and develp athletic skills. The decisin t transfer t anther schl invlves imprtant and smetimes difficult chices. Make sure yu understand the rules, the ptins and the ptential cnsequences f yur decisin. Yu d nt want t risk yur educatin r yur chance t play NCAA sprts. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 3
Fcus n yur degree Mre than 480,000 student-athletes cmpete in NCAA sprts but few mve n t cmpete at the prfessinal r Olympic level. Fr the rest, the experiences f cllege sprts and the life lessns they learn alng the way will help them as they pursue careers in ther fields. Prfessinal pprtunities are extremely limited and the likelihd f a cllege athlete becming a prfessinal athlete is lw. The likelihd f an NCAA student-athlete earning a cllege degree is much greater: Graduatin success rates are 86 percent in Divisin I, 71 percent in Divisin II and 87 percent in Divisin III. PERCENTAGE OF COLLEGE ATHLETES WHO BECOME PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES MEN S WOMEN S MEN S ICE MEN S BASKETBALL BASKETBALL FOOTBALL BASEBALL HOCKEY SOCCER High Schl Student-Athletes 550,305 430,368 1,057,382 491,790 35,210 450,234 NCAA Student-Athletes 17,712 16,532 73,063 34,980 4,199 24,986 NCAA Student-Athletes Drafted 50 34 253 735 60 78 *Percent High Schl t NCAA 3.2% 3.8% 6.9% 7.1% 11.9% 5.5% *Percent NCAA t Prfessinal 1.2% 0.9% 1.6% 9.5% 6.4% 1.4% *Percentages based n estimated data. Learn as much as yu can If yu decide t transfer, the NCAA wants t help yur educatin and sprts participatin cntinue as smthly as pssible. But yu have a respnsibility as well. Learn as much as yu can t prtect yur eligibility. While staff at the NCAA and its member schls can give yu advice, yu need t understand hw transfer rules apply t yu befre yu decide t mve t a new schl. This guide intrduces yu t the key issues invlved in transferring. But befre yu transfer, yu may need mre infrmatin. Key peple, including yur cach r athletics cmpliance fficer, can help yu successfully wrk thrugh the prcess. Take advantage f all the infrmatin available t yu. Visit the NCAA website at ncaa.rg/transfer fr FAQs and printable resurces n key tpics. Talk t peple at yur current schl, including staff in the athletics department r cmpliance ffice. Review the permissin t cntact and/r ntificatin f transfer guidelines n page 13. Call the cnference f yur new schl. Call the NCAA at 317-917-6008, Mnday thrugh Friday frm 10 a.m. t 5 p.m. Eastern time. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 4
Transfer Checklist ADMISSIONS Have yu applied t the admissins department at the schl yu are transferring t? Yu may apply t the admissins department f yur new schl withut ntifying the athletics department at yur current schl. INITIAL ELIGIBILITY Have yu registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center? T play at a Divisin I r Divisin II schl, yu must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.rg. See page 9 fr mre infrmatin. CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY D yu have any remaining eligibility t cmpete in yur sprt after transferring? Student-athletes have fur seasns t cmpete in each sprt. See page 21 fr mre infrmatin. TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY In mst cases, student-athletes wh transfer t an NCAA schl must sit ut f cmpetitin fr a year. Yu may be able t cmpete immediately if yu meet a transfer exceptin. See pages 16 t 19 fr mre infrmatin. PERMISSION TO CONTACT AND/OR DIVISION I NOTIFICATION OF TRANSFER Have yu initiated the prper transfer prtcl n campus with yur cmpliance staff? Caches and athletics staff at yur new schl may nt talk t yu abut transferring until yur current schl is made aware and yu have have been granted permissin t cntact. Effective Oct. 15, 2018, fr Divisin I student-athletes, yur request fr a Ntificatin f Transfer will require the cmpliance ffice t add yur name t the natinal transfer database within tw business days f receipt f yur request t transfer t becme visible t ther NCAA schls. See page 13 fr mre infrmatin. OTHER TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS D yu meet ther transfer requirements? If yu have the permissin t cntact and/r Divisin I ntificatin f transfer already in place frm yur current schl and yur infrmatin is entered int the transfer database, yur new NCAA schl will need t certify yu meet all applicable NCAA, schl and cnference transfer requirements fr that specific institutin. The cmpliance ffice will need t determine if yu are eligible when yu arrive at yur new schl. Additinal NCAA, schl r cnference transfer rules and/r academic prgress rules may need t be cnsidered; please cnsult with yur cmpliance fficer n campus t learn mre abut yur specific situatin. See page 14 fr mre infrmatin. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 5
HOW DO THE TRANSFER RULES APPLY TO ME? Yu may be wndering hw sn yu can cmpete after yu transfer. Befre yu can answer that questin, yu need t fllw these steps t understand hw the transfer rules apply t yur situatin: 1. Determine if yu are a transfer student-athlete. 2. Decide where yu are ging. 3. Understand yur initial-eligibility status. 4. Make sure yu have registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center, if needed. 5. Ask yur current schl fr a permissin-t-cntact letter. Effective Oct. 15, 2018, a current NCAA Divisin I student-athlete will initiate the ntificatin-f-transfer prcess thrugh their current cmpliance ffice if they are wanting t cntact anther schl regarding athletics. As a reminder, this guide is fr student-athletes transferring frm a fur-year institutin. If yu are transferring frm a tw-year institutin (junir r cmmunity cllege), please review the PDF titled Guide Fr Tw-Year Transfers, lcated at ncaa.rg/transfer. 1. DETERMINE IF YOU ARE A TRANSFER STUDENT-ATHLETE T learn which transfer rules apply t yur situatin, yu first need t determine whether yur situatin meets the cmmn definitin f a transfer. It may seem fairly simple, but yu need t answer this basic questin befre yu can cntinue. Hw d I knw if I am a transfer student-athlete? Ask yurself if yu have met any f the cnditins called transfer triggers f a typical transfer situatin: 1. Have yu been a full-time student at a tw- r fur-year cllege during a regular academic term? Classes taken during summer terms d nt cunt. 2. Have yu practiced with a cllege team? 3. Have yu practiced r cmpeted while enrlled as a part-time student? 4. Have yu received athletically related financial aid frm a cllege while attending summer schl? 5. If yu attended a Divisin I schl, have yu received any type f financial aid frm a cllege while attending summer schl? If yu answered yes t any f thse questins, yu are likely a transfer student-athlete because yu have met cnditins that have triggered yur transfer status. Nw yu need t learn hw t meet the transfer rules s yu can play yur sprt at a new NCAA schl. If yu answered n t all thse questins, yu may nt be cnsidered a transfer student-athlete and the transfer rules may nt apply t yu. Cntact the athletics cmpliance ffice at yur new schl and ask it t certify yur eligibility status. CASE STUDY Brady was recruited t play basketball at an NCAA schl. He enrlled in classes as a fulltime student and attended class n the first day f the semester. On the furth day f class, Brady went t the registrar s ffice and drpped frm 12 credit hurs t nine, making him a part-time student fr the rest f the semester. At the end f the semester, Brady decided that he wanted t g t a different NCAA schl. Is Brady a transfer student-athlete? Yes. The transfer rules applied t Brady the minute he became a full-time student and went t class n the first day f the semester. Brady must request ntificatin f transfer and/r permissin t cntact frm his riginal schl s cmpliance ffice befre he can speak t the cach at the new schl. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 6
2. DECIDE WHERE YOU ARE GOING Nw that yu knw whether yu are a transfer student-athlete, yu need t decide which schl yu want t attend. As yu think abut new schls, keep in mind academics are just as imprtant as athletics. Yur new schl shuld help yu meet all yur gals n the field, in the classrm and in life. Each NCAA schl is part f a divisin and a cnference, and has its wn admissin plicies. Transfer rules are different fr each NCAA divisin and may be mre restrictive fr sme cnferences. Learn mre abut yur new schl s divisin As yu research schls, take time t learn mre abut each NCAA divisin. Schls in Divisins I and II may ffer athletics schlarships t cver tuitin, fees, rm and bard, and bks. Divisin III schls d nt award athletics schlarships but d ffer financial aid based n academics r need. See page 8 fr mre n the NCAA s three divisins. Learn mre abut yur new schl s cnference In sme cases, cnference transfer rules can be mre restrictive than NCAA rules, s yu need t have a clear picture befre yu make a mve. Fr instance, cnferences may differ n hw lng yu must attend a new schl befre yu may cmpete. See NCAA Cnferences n page 25 fr a link t cnferences websites r visit ncaa.rg. Learn mre abut yur new schl s admissin plicies Meeting the NCAA transfer rules des nt guarantee yu will be admitted t a new schl. Yu als need t meet the schl s admissin requirements including academic standards befre yu can play NCAA sprts. Visit ncaa.rg fr a full list f NCAA schls, srted by divisin, sprt and cnference. Yu als will find a database t help yu find the names, addresses and phne numbers fr athletics cntacts at each schl. Talk t the academic, admissins and financial aid ffices at the schl yu wish t attend t make sure the schl will be a gd fit fr yu. Once yu get written permissin t cntact frm yur current schl r initiate the ntificatin-f-transfer prcess and yur infrmatin is entered int the natinal transfer database, talk t the athletics cmpliance ffice at the schl yu wish t attend abut yur transfer ptins. Learn mre abut permissin t cntact n page 13. Cntact the NCAA natinal ffice r the apprpriate cnference ffice fr mre infrmatin abut yur specific case. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 7
Our Three Divisins The NCAA s three divisins were created in 1973 t align like-minded campuses in the areas f philsphy, cmpetitin and pprtunity. 1 2 3 DIVISION DIVISION DIVISION 32% 32% 32% 32% 32% 32% 32% 32% 40% 32% 40% SCHOOLS 32% 308 40% 351 443 32% MEDIAN UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT 9,629 2,485 1,748 37% 37% 32% 40% 37% 39% STUDENTS WHO ARE ATHLETES 1 in 25 24% 1 in 24% 11 24% 1 in 6 37% 37% 39% 24% AVERAGE NUMBER 24% OF TEAMS PER SCHOOL 24% 40% 40% 40% 40% 39% 39% 24% 24% 24% 37% 37% 37% 39% 39% 39% 37% 32% 32% 40% 32% 40% 40% 32% 32% 40% 32% 40% 40% 37% 39% 19 37% 37% 1639% 39% 18 24% 24% 24% 36% PERCENTAGE 36% OF NCAA 39% STUDENT-ATHLETES 36% 39% IN DIVISION 39% 40% 40% 40% 40% 39% 39% What are the eligibility requirements in each divisin? Cllege-bund students wh want t cmpete at a Divisin I r Divisin II schl must meet standards set by NCAA members. Fr Divisin III, athletes must meet the admissins standards set by the schl. Eligibility standards can be fund at eligibilitycenter.rg. Hw is each divisin gverned? NCAA schls develp and apprve legislatin fr their wn divisin. Grups f presidents and chancellrs lead each divisin in the frm f cmmittees with regularly scheduled meetings. Did yu knw? 36% 25% 36% 25% 39% 36% 25% 39% 39% Multiyear, cst-fattendance athletics schlarships available 59 percent f athletes receive athletics aid 25% 25% ATHLETICS SCHOLARSHIPS Partial athletics schlarship mdel 62 percent f athletes receive athletics aid 25% N athletics schlarships 80 percent f athletes receive nnathletics aid Divisin I student-athletes graduate at a higher rate than the general student bdy. Divisin II is the nly divisin with schls in Alaska, Puert Ric and Canada. Puert Ric ALASKA CANADA Divisin III s largest schl has 24,702 undergraduates. The smallest? 284. Learn mre at ncaa.rg/abut. NCAA is a trademark f the Natinal Cllegiate Athletic Assciatin. Updated February 2018. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 8
3. UNDERSTAND YOUR INITIAL-ELIGIBILITY STATUS Once yu knw whether yu are a transfer student-athlete and have identified the schl yu want t attend, yu need t find ut what yur initial-eligibility status is fr yur new schl. Why d I need t knw my initial-eligibility status? In part, yur initial-eligibility status determines which transfer rules apply t yu and hw many seasns f cmpetitin yu may have remaining t play at yur new schl. What is initial-eligibility status? High schl student-athletes wh want t cmpete in NCAA sprts during their first year at a Divisin I r II schl need t meet certain divisin-wide academic standards. Yur initial-eligibility status indicates whether yu met the academic standards t cmpete in yur first year at a Divisin I r II schl. If yu registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center as a high schl student and yur first cllege enrllment was at a Divisin I r II schl, the NCAA Eligibility Center assigned yu an initial-eligibility status. The NCAA Eligibility Center determined yur initial-eligibility status based n the cre curses yu tk in high schl, the grades and number f credits yu earned in thse curses and yur scres n standardized tests. If yu d nt have an initial-eligibility status, talk t the athletics cmpliance ffice at yur new schl. There are fur pssible initial-eligibility statuses: Qualifier (Divisins I and II) Partial Qualifier (Divisin II nly) Nnqualifier (Divisins I and II) Academic Redshirt (Divisin I nly) If yu were eligible t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year at a Divisin I r II schl, yu were a qualifier. If yu attended a Divisin II schl and yu were eligible in yur first year t practice and receive an athletics schlarship but yu were nt eligible t cmpete yu were a partial qualifier. Only Divisin II schls use the partial-qualifier status. If yu were nt eligible t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year at a Divisin I r II schl, yu were a nnqualifier. If yu attended a Divisin I schl and yu were eligible in yur first year t practice and receive an athletics schlarship but yu were nt eligible t cmpete yu were an academic redshirt. Only Divisin I schls use the academic redshirt status. Divisin III schls set their wn admissins and eligibility standards. If yur first cllege enrllment was at a Divisin III schl, yu prbably were nt assigned an initial-eligibility status by the NCAA Eligibility Center. If yu are thinking f transferring t a Divisin III schl, yu need t meet the admissin requirements f the schl yu plan t attend. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 9
Divisin I Qualifier Befre Aug. 1, 2016 If yu first enrlled in cllege befre Aug. 1, 2016, yu had t meet all f the fllwing requirements t be a Divisin I qualifier, allwing yu t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year: Cmplete 16 NCAA-apprved cre curses in high schl: Fur years f English. Three years f math (Algebra I r higher). Tw years f natural/physical science (including ne year f lab science if yur high schl ffers it). One additinal year f English, math r natural/physical science. Tw years f scial science. Fur additinal years f English, math, natural/physical science, scial science, freign language, cmparative religin r philsphy. Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in cre curses. Earn an SAT cmbined scre r ACT sum scre matching yur cre-curse GPA n the Divisin I sliding scale, which balances test scres and cre-curse GPA. Graduate frm high schl. Divisin I Qualifier After Aug. 1, 2016 If yu first enrlled in cllege after Aug. 1, 2016, yu had t meet all f the fllwing requirements t be a Divisin I qualifier, allwing yu t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year: Cmplete 16 NCAA-apprved cre curses in high schl: Fur years f English. Three years f math (Algebra I r higher). Tw years f natural/physical science (including ne year f lab science if yur high schl ffers it). One additinal year f English, math r natural/physical science. Tw years f scial science. Fur additinal years f English, math, natural/physical science, scial science, freign language, cmparative religin r philsphy. Cmplete 10 f the required 16 cre curses befre the start f yur seventh semester f high schl. Seven f the 10 cre curses must include English, math and natural r physical science. Earn at least a 2.3 GPA in cre curses. Earn an SAT cmbined scre r ACT sum scre matching yur cre-curse GPA n the Divisin I sliding scale, which balances test scres and cre-curse GPA. Graduate frm high schl. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 10
Divisin I Academic Redshirt If yu first enrlled in cllege after Aug. 1, 2016, yu had t meet all f the fllwing requirements t be a Divisin I academic redshirt, allwing yu t practice and receive an athletics schlarship, but nt cmpete, during yur first academic term: Cmplete 16 NCAA-apprved cre curses in high schl: Fur years f English. Three years f math (Algebra I r higher). Tw years f natural/physical science (including ne year f lab science if yur high schl ffers it). One additinal year f English, math r natural/physical science. Tw years f scial science. Fur additinal years f English, math, natural/physical science, scial science, freign language, cmparative religin r philsphy. Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in cre curses. Earn an SAT cmbined scre r ACT sum scre matching yur cre-curse GPA n the Divisin I sliding scale, which balances test scres and cre-curse GPA*. Graduate frm high schl. Divisin I Nnqualifier If yu did nt meet the Divisin I qualifier requirements, yu were nt eligible t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year at a Divisin I schl. Divisin II Qualifier Befre Aug. 1, 2018 Yu had t meet all the fllwing requirements t be a Divisin II qualifier, allwing yu t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year: Cmplete 16 NCAA-apprved cre curses in high schl: Three years f English. Tw years f math (Algebra I r higher). Tw years f natural r physical science (including ne year f lab science if yur high schl ffers it). Three additinal years f English, math r natural r physical science. Tw years f scial science. Fur additinal years f English, math, natural r physical science, scial science, freign language, cmparative religin r philsphy. Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in cre curses. Earn an SAT cmbined scre f 820 r an ACT sum scre f 68*. Graduate frm high schl. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 11
Divisin II Partial Qualifier After Aug. 1, 2018 If yu graduated high schl and met ne f the fllwing requirements, yu were a Divisin II partial qualifier, allwing yu t practice and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year, but nt allwing yu t cmpete: Earn a 2.0 GPA in 16 cre curses: Three years f English. Tw years f math (Algebra I r higher). Tw years f natural r physical science (including ne year f lab science if yur high schl ffers it). Three additinal years f English, math r natural r physical science. Tw years f scial science. Fur additinal years f English, math, natural r physical science, scial science, freign language, cmparative religin r philsphy. Earn an SAT cmbined scre f 820 r an ACT sum scre f 68*. Divisin II Qualifier After Aug. 1, 2018 Yu had t meet all the fllwing requirements t be a Divisin II qualifier, allwing yu t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year: Cmplete 16 NCAA-apprved cre curses in high schl: Fur years f English. Three years f math (Algebra I r higher). Tw years f natural/physical science (including ne year f lab science if yur high schl ffers it). One additinal year f English, math r natural/physical science. Tw years f scial science. Fur additinal years f English, math, natural/physical science, scial science, freign language, cmparative religin r philsphy. Earn at least a 2.2 GPA in yur cre curses. Earn an SAT cmbined scre r ACT sum scre matching yur cre-curse GPA n the Divisin II sliding scale*. Divisin II Partial Qualifier After Aug. 1, 2018 Yu had t meet all the fllwing requirements t be a Divisin II qualifier, allwing yu t practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year: Cmplete 16 NCAA-apprved cre curses in high schl: Fur years f English. Three years f math (Algebra I r higher). Tw years f natural/physical science (including ne year f lab science if yur high schl ffers it). One additinal year f English, math r natural/physical science. Tw years f scial science. Fur additinal years f English, math, natural/physical science, scial science, freign language, cmparative religin r philsphy. Earn at least a 2.0 GPA in yur cre curses. Earn an SAT cmbined scre r ACT sum scre matching yur cre-curse GPA n the Divisin II sliding scale*. *The minimum cmbined SAT scre f 820 applies t tests taken befre March 1, 2016. The minimum cmbined SAT scre required fr tests taken n r after March 2016 will be evaluated based n the cncrdance established by the Cllege Bard. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 12
Divisin II Nnqualifier If yu did nt meet the Divisin II qualifier r partial-qualifier requirements, yu were nt eligible t practice, receive an athletics schlarship r cmpete during yur first year at a Divisin II schl. 4. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER By nw yu shuld knw whether yu are a transfer studentathlete, which schl yu want t attend and what yur initialeligibility status is. If yu want t transfer t a Divisin I r II schl and yu have never registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center, yu need t visit eligibilitycenter.rg t register befre yu cntinue the transfer prcess. Divisin III schls set their wn admissins and eligibility standards. If yur first cllege enrllment was at a Divisin III schl, yu prbably have nt registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center. If yu are transferring frm a Divisin III schl t a Divisin I r II schl, yu need t register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. If yu have nt registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center, yur initial-eligibility status is nnqualifier. Schls cannt assume that yu wuld have been a qualifier r partial qualifier. CASE STUDY Rachel attended a Divisin I schl as a freshman and practiced with the swimming and diving team. Befre swimming in a meet, she was cut frm the team. After spending a summer at the beach, Rachel decided she wanted t transfer t a Divisin II schl and jin the swimming and diving team. 5. WHEN CAN I CONTACT NEW SCHOOLS AND SPEAK WITH THEIR ATHLETICS STAFF REGARDING A POTENTIAL TRANSFER? Yu shall nt talk t anther schl s cach directly r indirectly until yu understand all applicable NCAA transfer rules, including btaining the permissin t cntact r initiating the ntificatin f transfer frm yur current schl, and yur infrmatin is entered in the natinal transfer database. Yu shuld nly cnsider asking fr permissin t cntact r initiating the ntificatin f transfer when yu are ready t begin the prcess. Des Rachel need t ask the Divisin I schl fr a ntificatin f transfer/permissin t cntact thrugh its cmpliance ffice? Yes. Because Rachel practiced with the swim team at the Divisin I schl, she was cnsidered a member f the team and a student-athlete, even thugh she never participated in a meet. Impact t playing time, rster spt and/r athletics aid may be a result when beginning the transfer prcess, s please cnsider cnsulting with yur caching staff, cmpliance staff and directr f athletics thrughut the prcess. Per NCAA Bylaw 15, Financial Aid, yu may request a hearing pprtunity with the financial aid authrity n campus if yur athletics aid is t be reduced, canceled r nt renewed. Please speak with yur cmpliance ffice t learn mre abut these plicies and prcedures. Yu may write t a new schl t let them knw yu are interested in transferring, but the new schl cannt discuss transfer pprtunities with yu until they can verify the prper permissin t cntact, r ntificatin f transfer is validated and yur infrmatin is entered in the natinal transfer database. Yu can speak with departments ther than the athletics department at a new schl at any time. Examples include admissins, registrar and financial aid ffice. Once permissin t cntact r ntificatin f transfer is in place and yur infrmatin is entered in the natinal transfer database, all applicable NCAA recruiting rules will cntinue t apply (e.g., tryut rules, fficial visit rules, etc.). 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 13
Transferring frm a current NCAA Divisin I schl Per NCAA Divisin I Bylaw 13.1.1.3, yu shall request written permissin t cntact frm yur current schl t permit a new NCAA schl any direct r indirect cntact. When yu are ready t begin, please cntact yur current directr f athletics r cmpliance ffice with a written request. Yur request shall be either granted r denied within seven business days. If denied, yu may request a hearing pprtunity with yur current schl t appeal the denied decisin. Please ask yur cmpliance ffice fr a cpy f yur schl s hearing pprtunity plicies and prcedures, including a deadline by which yu must request yur hearing. Effective Oct. 15, 2018 Ntificatin f Transfer An NCAA Divisin I student-athlete shall request a ntificatin f transfer thrugh their current cmpliance ffice. A student-athlete may initiate the ntificatin-ftransfer prcess by prviding his r her institutin with a written ntificatin f transfer at any time. The studentathlete s institutin shall enter his r her infrmatin int the natinal transfer database within tw business days f receipt f the student-athlete s request. Yur current NCAA Divisin I institutin shall have written plicies related t the implicatins f a student-athlete prviding written ntificatin f transfer, including a descriptin f services and benefits (e.g., academic supprt services, access t athletics facilities, etc.) and impact t yur current athletics aid agreement that will change upn receipt f the student-athlete s request fr ntificatin f transfer. Such plicies shall be published and generally available t student-athletes (e.g., student-athlete handbk r schl website). Please nte that being placed in this ntificatin-t-transfer database des nt indicate the student-athlete is eligible at the new NCAA schl upn transferring. The cmpliance ffice at yur new schl will still need t perfrm a transfer backgrund check t certify bth transfer and remaining eligibility. CASE STUDY Nlan attended a Divisin III schl as a freshman and sphmre. Nlan practiced and cmpeted n its men s lacrsse team. Befre the start f his junir year, Nlan decided t transfer t anther Divisin III schl t pursue a degree nt available at his riginal Divisin III schl. Des Nlan need t ask his first schl fr a written permissin-t-cntact letter? N. Because Nlan is transferring frm a Divisin III schl t anther Divisin III schl, he may issue his wn self-release t allw anther Divisin III schl t cntact him abut transferring. Transferring frm a current NCAA Divisin II schl Per NCAA Divisin II Bylaw 13.1.1.2, a student-athlete shall request written permissin t cntact frm yur current schl t permit a new NCAA schl any direct r indirect cntact. When yu are ready t begin, please cntact yur current directr f athletics r cmpliance ffice with a written request. Yur request shall be either granted r denied within 14 calendar days. If denied, yu may request a hearing pprtunity with yur current schl t appeal the denial. Please ask yur cmpliance ffice fr a cpy f yur schl s hearing pprtunity plicies and prcedures, including a deadline by which yu must request yur hearing. If permissin is nt granted, the new NCAA schl shall nt encurage the transfer and shall nt prvide athletically related financial assistance t the student-athlete until the student-athlete has attended the new NCAA schl fr at least ne academic year. Transferring frm a current NCAA Divisin III schl Per NCAA Divisin III Bylaw 13.1.1.2, a student-athlete shall request written permissin t cntact frm yur current schl t permit a new NCAA schl any direct r indirect cntact. When yu are ready t begin, please cntact yur current directr f athletics r cmpliance ffice with a written request. Yur request shall be either granted r denied within seven business days. If denied, yu may request a 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 14
hearing pprtunity with yur current schl t appeal the denial. Please ask yur cmpliance ffice fr a cpy f yur schl s hearing pprtunity plicies and prcedures, including a deadline by which yu must request yur hearing. If permissin is nt granted, the new NCAA schl shall nt encurage the transfer and, specifically, a new NCAA Divisin I r Divisin II schl shall nt prvide athletically related financial assistance t the student-athlete until the student-athlete has attended the new NCAA Divisin I r Divisin II schl fr at least ne academic year. If yu are a current NCAA Divisin III student-athlete wishing t cntact anther NCAA Divisin III schl, please visit ncaa.rg/recruiting t dwnlad the NCAA Divisin III self-release frm. This frm will cntain instructins n hw t cmplete and submit t the new NCAA Divisin III schl. If the initial 30-day cntact perid expires after submitting the first frm, and the student-athlete is still undecided, yu must submit a secnd self-release frm, which then requires the new NCAA Divisin III schl t ntify the current schl f this recruiting activity. Transferring frm a current NAIA schl NCAA recruiting rules require any NAIA student-athlete wishing t cntact an NCAA Divisin I r Divisin III schl t first btain a permissin t cntact frm their current NAIA schl. Please cnsult with the directr f athletics at yur NAIA schl fr yur request when ready. Yu may als write t any NCAA Divisin I r Divisin III schl t request they ask yur current NAIA schl fr a permissin t cntact, if necessary. If permissin-t-cntact is nt granted, the new NCAA Divisin I r Divisin III schl may nt encurage the transfer. Fr any NAIA student-athlete wishing t cntact an NCAA Divisin II schl, permissin t cntact is nt required t begin speaking with the NCAA Divisin II schl. Hwever, if the NCAA Divisin II schl chses t begin recruiting yu, it is bligated by NCAA recruiting rules t ntify yur NAIA schl f any recruiting activity. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 15
WHEN CAN I PLAY? Generally, yu need t spend ne academic year at yur new schl as a full-time student befre yu are eligible t cmpete. This time is called an academic year f residence and is designed t allw yu t becme cmfrtable in yur new envirnment. Requiring student-athletes t sit ut f cmpetitin fr a year after transferring encurages them t make decisins mtivated by academics as well as athletics. Mst student-athletes wh are nt eligible t cmpete immediately benefit frm a year t adjust t their new schl and fcus n their classes. Student-athletes wh must sit ut fr a year at their new schl may practice with their new team and receive an athletics schlarship if they were academically eligible when they left their previus schl. T cnfirm, please reach ut t yur cmpliance ffice n campus. Fr yur academic year f residence t cunt, yu must attend classes nly at the schl where yu plan t cmpete and yu must be a full-time student (generally at least 12 credit hurs). Yu cannt meet this requirement by attending yur new schl part time r by nt attending schl at all. Each schl determines its wn full-time status, s check with the athletics cmpliance ffice at yur new schl t find ut hw many credit hurs yu need t take. Fr a semester r quarter t cunt tward yur academic year f residence, yu must enrll befre the 12th day f class f that academic term. Are there any exceptins? There are a number f transfer exceptins that culd allw yu t practice, cmpete r receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year at yur new schl. Remember, ther schl r cnference rules als may affect yur timeline. Hw d I find ut if I qualify fr an exceptin? Once it is permissible fr yu t speak with anther institutin (see page 13), talk t the athletics cmpliance ffice at yur new schl abut whether yu qualify fr a transfer exceptin. Yur new schl will decide if yu qualify fr a transfer exceptin. Basic restrictins fr transfer exceptins There are several basic restrictins fr transfer exceptins: CASE STUDY Kyle transferred t a Divisin I university befre the beginning f the schl year and was required t cmplete an academic year f residence. He cmpleted 12 credit hurs in the fall term and 12 credit hurs in the spring term. At the schl he is transferring t, students wh take 12 credit hurs are cnsidered full-time students. Did Kyle cmplete his academic year f residence? Yes. Since Kyle cmpleted tw full-time semesters (12 + 12), he satisfied the full-time requirement fr the year. If yu were a partial qualifier r a nnqualifier and decide t transfer during yur first year, yu must spend at least ne academic year f residence befre yu can use a transfer exceptin. Learn mre abut yur initialeligibility status n pages 9 t 12. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 16
If yu signed a Natinal Letter f Intent (NLI) and transfer during yur first year as a full-time cllege student, yu may nt be able t cmpete at yur new schl fr a certain perid f time. Learn mre abut the NLI n page 22. Yu may nt use an exceptin if yu are currently cmpleting an academic year f residence at yur current schl. If yu are a baseball r basketball student-athlete meeting a transfer exceptin but are transferring t a Divisin I schl at the start f winter r spring term, the earliest yu wuld be eligible t cmpete wuld be the fllwing fall term. This midyear transfer applicatin may nt apply if yu are a Divisin I graduate transfer, s check with yur cmpliance ffice if yu are transferring upn graduating. If yu are a tennis student-athlete meeting a transfer exceptin but are transferring t a Divisin I schl at the start f winter r spring term, the earliest yu wuld be eligible t cmpete wuld be the fllwing fall term if yu have cmpeted r received an athletics schlarship frm yur current schl during the same academic year. CASE STUDY Megan transferred t an NCAA schl and is sitting ut a year. At the NCAA schl, students with 12 credit hurs are cnsidered full-time students. Megan cmpleted 12 hurs in the fall term at the NCAA schl. In the spring, she enrlled fr nine hurs and was cnsidered a part-time student. Did Megan cmplete her academic year f residence? N. Megan did nt cmplete tw semesters as a fulltime student. She must still cmplete a secnd semester as a full-time student befre she has fulfilled her academic year f residence. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 17
TRANSFER EXCEPTIONS FOR DIVISIONS I AND II SCHOOLS If yu transfer frm a fur-year schl t an NCAA Divisin I r II schl, yu may use an exceptin t cmpete immediately if yu meet ne f the fllwing cnditins and receive certificatin frm yur cmpliance ffice n campus. 1. This is yur first transfer. 2. Yu return t yur first schl withut participating in sprts at the secnd schl. 3. Yur sprt is drpped r is nt spnsred at yur current schl. 4. Yu never have been recruited. 5. Yu have nt participated in yur sprt fr tw years. 1. THIS IS YOUR FIRST TRANSFER If yu have never transferred frm a fur-year schl and are nt planning t cmpete at a Divisin I schl in the sprts f ftball, baseball, basketball and men s ice hckey, yu may request use f a ne-time transfer exceptin t cmpete immediately at a Divisin I r Divisin II schl. See additinal rules fr ftball, baseball, basketball and men s ice hckey belw n this page. T qualify fr this exceptin, yu must meet all the fllwing cnditins: Yu are in gd academic standing and are making prgress tward yur degree at yur current schl. Yu wuld have been cnsidered academically eligible t cmpete had yu stayed at yur current schl. Yu have a written release agreement frm yur current schl stating it des nt bject t yu receiving a transfer exceptin. If yur current schl is nt willing t prvide yu a ne-time transfer exceptin, yu may be entitled t a hearing by a cmmittee nt invlved in athletics at yur schl, such as the ffice f student affairs, the ffice f the dean f students r a cmmittee cmprised f the faculty athletics representative, student-athletes and nnathletics faculty r staff members. If yu attend a Divisin I schl and yur schl des nt respnd t yur written request fr a ne-time transfer exceptin within seven business days, NCAA rules require yur schl t grant yu a transfer exceptin. Fr Divisin II, the schl must respnd within 14 cnsecutive days. CASE STUDY Billy attended a fur-year cllege fr ne year and played ftball. His GPA was 1.79 after cmpleting his first academic year, which did nt meet that schl s requirement t be eligible fr the next year. S, Billy transferred t a Divisin II schl. Is Billy eligible t play right away? N. Billy des nt meet the requirements fr any f the exceptins. He cannt use the ne-time transfer exceptin because he was nt in gd academic standing at the previus fur-year schl and wuld nt have been eligible t cmpete had he remained at the first schl. Befre he can play, Billy must spend ne academic year f residence at his transfer schl. If this is yur first time transferring frm a fur-year schl and yu are planning t land at a Divisin I schl fr baseball, basketball r men s ice hckey, yu may nt use the ne-time transfer exceptin unless yu were cnsidered bth nnrecruited by yur riginal 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 18
fur-year schl and t have never received an athletics schlarship. If yu are a Divisin I ftball student-athlete, yu may use the ne-time transfer exceptin nly if yu meet ne f the fllwing cnditins: Yu are transferring frm a Ftball Bwl Subdivisin (FBS) schl t a Ftball Champinship Subdivisin (FCS) schl and yu have tw seasns f cmpetitin eligibility remaining. Yu are transferring frm an FCS schl that ffers athletics schlarships t an FCS schl that des nt ffer athletics schlarships. This is yur first time transferring, yu were cnsidered nnrecruited by yur riginal fur-year schl, and yu never received an athletics schlarship. 2. YOU RETURN TO YOUR FIRST SCHOOL WITHOUT PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS AT THE SECOND SCHOOL If yu participate in sprts at a Divisin I r II schl, enrll at a secnd fur-year schl and then return t the first schl, yu may use an exceptin t cmpete immediately at the first schl if yu did nt practice r cmpete at the secnd schl. 3. YOUR SPORT IS DROPPED OR IS NOT SPONSORED AT YOUR CURRENT SCHOOL If yu are transferring t a Divisin I r II schl after yur current schl drps yur sprt, yu may use an exceptin t cmpete immediately. Yu may use this exceptin nly if yu transfer after yur current schl publicly annunces it will drp yur sprt. If yu are transferring t a Divisin I r II schl frm any current schl that didn t spnsr yur sprt, yu may use the ntspnsred sprt exceptin prvided this is yur first time transferring frm a fur-year schl. CASE STUDY Dauber, a qualifier, is a freshman sccer player wh attends a Divisin I schl. He just finished the fall semester and played in nly ne game. Dauber s cach is unhappy with his ability, s Dauber wants t transfer t anther Divisin I schl. Can Dauber use a transfer exceptin? Yes, because Dauber is a qualifier, he may ask t use a transfer exceptin during his first academic year. Because this is his first time transferring frm a fur-year schl, Dauber wuld ask his current cmpliance ffice fr the ne-time transfer exceptin, prvided he is in gd academic standing and his riginal schl des nt bject. 4. YOU NEVER HAVE BEEN RECRUITED Yu may use an exceptin t cmpete immediately if yu transfer t the certifying schl and all f the fllwing cnditins are met: Yu were nt recruited by the certifying schl. Yu have been recruited if a cllege cach cntacts yu ff campus, pays yur expenses t visit the campus r, in Divisins I and II, issues yu a Natinal Letter f Intent r a written ffer f financial aid. Yu have nt received any athletically related financial assistance. Yu have nt cmpeted fr any previus institutin and have nt engaged in ther cuntable athletically related activities in intercllegiate athletics beynd a 14-cnsecutive-day perid at any previus institutin. Yur current schl can tell yu mre abut yur recruiting status. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 19
5. YOU HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED IN YOUR SPORT FOR TWO YEARS If yu have nt participated in yur sprt fr tw years, yu may use an exceptin t cmpete immediately if yu meet ne f the fllwing cnditins: Yu have nt practiced fr mre than 14 cnsecutive days r cmpeted with an NCAA team fr tw years befre practicing r cmpeting with yur new schl. Yu did nt practice r cmpete in nncllegiate amateur cmpetitin fr tw years while yu were a full-time student. TRANSFER EXCEPTIONS FOR DIVISION III SCHOOLS If yu transfer frm a fur-year schl t an NCAA Divisin III schl, yu may use an exceptin t cmpete immediately if yu have nt practiced r cmpeted in intercllegiate sprts. If yu participated in intercllegiate sprts at yur current schl, yu may use an exceptin nly if yu wuld have been bth academically and athletically eligible had yu stayed at yur current schl. If yur current schl did nt spnsr yur sprt while yu were a student, yu may use an exceptin t cmpete immediately if yu cmpleted 24-semester r 36-quarter transferable-degree credit hurs and attended yur current schl fr at least tw full-time semesters r three full-time quarters. Summer schl des nt cunt. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 20
CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY While initial-eligibility rules affect yur first year at a Divisin I r Divisin II schl, cntinuing-eligibility rules determine hw lng yu may cmpete. If yu are transferring t an NCAA schl, the length f time yu may cmpete fr that schl will be based in part n cntinuing-eligibility rules. If yu cmpete at a Divisin I schl, yu have five calendar years t play fur seasns f cmpetitin. Yur five-year clck starts when yu enrll as a full-time student at any tw-year r fur-year schl and des nt stp until five years have passed. Yur clck cntinues t tick dwn, even if yu spend an academic year f residence as a result f transferring, if yu red shirt, if yu d nt attend schl r even if yu enrll part time during yur cllege career. If yu cmpete at a Divisin II r Divisin III schl, yu have 10 full-time semesters r 15 full-time quarters t play fur seasns f cmpetitin. Yu use a semester r quarter when yu attend classes at a tw-year r fur-year schl as a full-time student r when yu enrll part time and cmpete fr yur schl. Yu d nt use a term if yu are nt enrlled r if yu attend part time withut cmpeting. Yu are allwed t cmpete fr up t fur seasns in each sprt fr tw-year r fur-year schls. Yu d nt gain back any seasns f cmpetitin by transferring t a new schl. If yu are transferring t a Divisin I r Divisin II schl, yu will be charged a seasn f cmpetitin fr each academic year in which yu cmpeted. If yu are transferring frm a Divisin III schl t anther Divisin III schl, yu will be charged a seasn f cmpetitin fr each academic year in which yu cmpeted r practiced n r after the date f first cmpetitin at yur previus Divisin III schl(s). The amunt f cmpetitin r practice des nt matter yu are charged a seasn f eligibility fr even a minute f cmpetitin r, in Divisin III, a minute f practice n r after the date f the first cmpetitin. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 21
IMPORTANT NCAA DEFINITIONS Academic year f residence (cmmnly referred t as sitting ut ): Yu may need t spend an academic year f residence withut cmpeting at yur new schl unless yu qualify fr a transfer exceptin. Fr an academic year f residence t cunt, yu must cmplete a full-time prgram f studies fr tw semesters r three quarters. Summer schl and part-time enrllment d nt cunt fr an academic year f residence. Certifying schl: The new schl yu want t attend determines whether yu are eligible t play. Cntinuing-eligibility rules Cntinuing-eligibility rules affect hw lng yu may cmpete in a certain sprt: Divisin I: If yu play at a Divisin I schl, yu have five calendar years t play fur seasns f cmpetitin. Yur five-year clck starts when yu enrll as a full-time student at any cllege. Yur clck cntinues t tick dwn, even if yu spend an academic year f residence as a result f transferring, if yu red shirt, if yu d nt attend schl r even if yu enrll part time during yur cllege career. Divisins II and III: If yu play at a Divisin II r III schl, yu have the first 10 semesters r 15 quarters in which yu attend as a full-time student t cmplete yur fur seasns f participatin. Yu use a semester r quarter any time yu attend class as a full-time student r enrll part time and cmpete fr the institutin. Yu d nt use a term if yu nly attend part time with n cmpetitin r are nt enrlled fr a term. Exceptin: A transfer exceptin allws yu t practice, cmpete r receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year at yur new schl. Yur new schl will decide if yu qualify fr a transfer exceptin. Financial aid (schlarship): Any mney fr schl yu receive frm a cllege r anther surce. Financial aid may be based n athletics, financial need r academic achievement. Full time: Each schl determines what full-time status means. Typically, yu are a full-time student if yu are enrlled fr at least 12 credit hurs in a term. Sme schls define a full-time student as smene wh takes fewer than 12 credit hurs in a term. Initial-eligibility rules: Initial-eligibility rules determine whether yu may practice, cmpete and receive an athletics schlarship during yur first year at a Divisin I r Divisin II schl. Internatinal students: An internatinal student is any student wh attends a tw-year r fur-year schl utside the United States. Natinal Cllegiate Athletic Assciatin (NCAA): The natinal gverning bdy fr mre than 1,300 clleges, universities, cnferences and rganizatins. NCAA Eligibility Center: The NCAA Eligibility Center evaluates yur high schl academic recrd and amateurism histry t determine if yu are eligible t participate during yur first year at a Divisin I r II cllege. Natinal Letter f Intent (NLI): NCAA schls that are part f the NLI prgram may send a Natinal Letter f Intent t a prspective student-athlete they have recruited t participate in their intercllegiate sprts prgram. The letter is a legally binding cntract. It explains what athletics financial aid the schl agrees t prvide the student-athlete fr ne full academic year, nly if the student is admitted t the schl and is eligible fr financial aid under NCAA rules. If yu sign a Natinal Letter f Intent, yu agree t attend that schl fr ne academic year and ther schls that are part f the Natinal Letter f Intent prgram can n lnger recruit yu. Fr mre infrmatin, visit natinalletter.rg. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 22
Nnqualifier: A student wh has nt graduated frm high schl r wh, at the time specified in the NCAA rules, has nt successfully cmpleted the required number f cre-curriculum curses r has nt presented the required GPA and/r SAT r ACT scre required t be a qualifier. If yu are a nnqualifier, yu cannt practice, cmpete r receive an athletics schlarship frm a Divisin I r II schl during yur first academic year. Yu will have nly three seasns f cmpetitin in Divisin I; hwever, a furth seasn may be granted if yu cmplete 80 percent f yur designated degree prgram befre the start f yur fifth year f enrllment. Ntificatin f Transfer (Effective Oct. 15, 2018): An NCAA Divisin I student-athlete shall request a ntificatin f transfer thrugh their current cmpliance ffice. A student-athlete may initiate the ntificatin-f-transfer prcess by prviding his r her institutin with a written ntificatin-f-transfer at any time. The student-athlete s institutin shall enter his r her infrmatin int the natinal transfer database within tw business days f receipt f the student-athlete s request. One-time transfer exceptin: If yu never have transferred frm a fur-year schl, yu may use a netime exceptin t cmpete immediately at a Divisin I r II schl. T qualify fr this exceptin, yu must meet all the fllwing cnditins: Yu are in gd academic standing and are making prgress tward yur degree at yur current schl. Yu wuld have been cnsidered academically eligible t cmpete had yu stayed at yur current schl. Yu have a written release agreement frm yur current schl stating it des nt bject t yu receiving a transfer exceptin. If this is yur first time transferring frm a fur-year schl and yu are planning t land at a Divisin I schl fr baseball, basketball r men s ice hckey, yu may nt use the ne-time transfer exceptin unless yu were cnsidered bth nnrecruited by yur riginal fur-year schl and yu have never received an athletics schlarship. If yu are a Divisin I ftball student-athlete, yu may use the ne-time transfer exceptin nly if yu meet ne f the fllwing cnditins: Yu are transferring frm a Ftball Bwl Subdivisin (FBS) schl t a Ftball Champinship Subdivisin (FCS) schl and yu have tw seasns f cmpetitin eligibility remaining. Yu are transferring frm an FCS schl that ffers athletics schlarships t an FCS schl that des nt ffer athletics schlarships. This is yur first time transferring, were cnsidered nnrecruited by yur riginal fur-year schl, and never received an athletics schlarship. Partial qualifier: A student wh has met sme, but nt all, f the academic requirements necessary t be a qualifier. If yu are a partial qualifier, yu can practice n campus and receive financial aid frm a Divisin II schl, but yu cannt cmpete fr ne academic year. Divisin I des nt have partial qualifiers. Permissin-t-cntact letter (written permissin t cntact): If yu attend a fur-year schl full time, athletics staff members frm an NCAA schl cannt cntact yu r yur parents unless they first have a letter frm yur current athletics directr (r athletics administratr designated by the athletics directr). If yur current schl des nt grant yu written permissin t cntact, the new schl cannt encurage yu t transfer and in Divisins I and II cannt give yu an athletics schlarship until yu have attended the new schl fr ne academic year. If yu are transferring frm a schl that is nt a member f the NCAA r NAIA, yu d nt need a permissin-t-cntact letter. Effective Oct. 15, 2018, a currently enrlled Divisin I student-athlete will request ntificatin f transfer in place f permissin t cntact. 2018-19 FOUR-YEAR TRANSFER GUIDE 23