NCAA DIVISION I TRANSFER FAQS

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The following questions and scenarios are designed to help student-athletes who are currently

enrolled at a Division I school understand the factors that will impact their ability to immediately

compete for another Division I school if they transfer. As always, student-athletes are encouraged

to seek assistance from their campus compliance administrator(s) to best understand how these

factors would apply to their particular circumstances. Student-athletes may also contact NCAA

customer service at 317-917-6008 for general rules education. Please visit ncaa.org/transfer to

view NCAA transfer guides and additional resources.

FAQ Topics—Quick Links

Academic Eligibility

Multiple Transfers

Postgraduate Transfer

Eligibility

Permissible

Communication

Transfer of Major

or Program

Permissible Communication

Q1: What steps must a Division I student-athlete take to speak to the athletics staff at other

schools about transferring?

A1: Division I student-athletes must complete the Division I Transfer Module and notify their

current school in writing of their desire to be entered into the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Student-athletes may not speak to other schools about transferring directly or indirectly

through others (e.g., family members, former teammates, NIL agent, club coaches) until

they receive notice that they have been input into the Transfer Portal. Please consult the

Division I Notification of Transfer resource.

» Undergraduate students: The majority of undergraduate student-athletes in Division

I may only be entered into the Transfer Portal during the sport-specific transfer

window for their sport. A campus compliance administrator will clarify when an

undergraduate student-athlete is able to be entered into the Transfer Portal during a

particular time of year, including whether any exceptions apply to a student-athlete’s

circumstances (e.g., their head coach takes a new job).

» Postgraduate students: Student-athletes who are on track to complete their

undergraduate degree by end of the year (e.g., two semesters) may be entered into

the Transfer Portal at any time between October 1 and the end of the student-

athlete's sport-specific transfer window.

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Q2: What happens if communications occur with athletics staff or boosters at the Division I

school to which a student-athlete ultimately transfers prior to when the student-athlete

first appeared in the Transfer Portal?

A2: Communicating with another Division I school’s athletics staff prior to entering the

Transfer Portal can jeopardize a student-athlete’s future eligibility at that school. Existing

recruiting rules prohibit communicating with a student-athlete who is enrolled at another

Division I school prior to the student-athlete appearing in the Transfer Portal. These rules

extend to indirect contact made by third parties on the student-athlete’s behalf (e.g.,

family member, scholastic or nonscholastic coach, advisor, former teammates). Certain

violations of these rules can constitute a significant breach of conduct as it relates to the

NCAA infractions process.

Academic Eligibility

Q3: Is a student-athlete who enters the Transfer Portal automatically eligible to compete at

another Division I school?

A3: No. Entry into the Transfer Portal is required for Division I student-athletes to be recruited

by other schools, but they still must meet other criteria and be academically eligible at their

new school to compete immediately.

Q4: How do undergraduate Division I student-athletes become eligible to compete immediately at

another Division I school?

A4: A student-athlete who leaves their previous four-year school academically eligible would

generally be eligible to compete immediately at another Division I school provided the student-

athlete is academically eligible at their new school as well.

Q5: When does a Division I student-athlete typically know if they will be academically eligible

to compete immediately at another Division I school should they transfer?

A5: A student-athlete’s transfer eligibility is based on their academic record when they

actually transfer to a new Division I school, not when they enter the Transfer Portal

(which often occurs during an in-progress semester or quarter). A student-athlete who

fails to pass the courses necessary to stay academically eligible during their final term

at their current school will likely jeopardize their ability to compete immediately at

another Division I school.

Q6: Does a student-athlete need to transfer enough academic credit to their new

Division I school to compete immediately, even if they leave their current school

academically eligible?

A6: Any undergraduate student-athlete transferring after their second year of college or later

will need to transfer enough academic credit to their new Division I school to be

academically eligible to compete. This requirement is separate from and in addition to

leaving their previous school academically eligible.

Campus compliance and academic administrators are best suited to evaluate a student-

athlete’s academic record and indicate if they are on track to meet these academic

requirements based on the school’s own transfer policies, the student-athlete’s enrollment

history and sport.

Transfer of Major or Program

Q7: Will a student-athlete have to change majors or degree program if they transfer schools?

A7: It is possible that transferring may limit a student-athlete’s ability to stay eligible to compete

in their current major or degree due to various factors like their academic record to date,

how far along the student-athlete is into their degree progression, and the academic offerings

of the school to which they want to transfer. A student-athlete should speak to campus

compliance and academic advisors at the schools they are considering to figure out whether

they will be able to stay in their desired degree or major should they ultimately transfer.

Multiple Transfers

Q8: Can a student-athlete who has transferred previously out of a four-year school compete

immediately at a third or fourth Division I school if they are still an undergraduate student?

A8: Yes, as long as the student-athlete leaves their previous school academically eligible, was in

good standing (not under a disciplinary suspension) and meets applicable academic

eligibility requirements at the new Division I school to compete.

Postgraduate Transfer Eligibility

Q9: What criteria does a student-athlete who has graduated with their baccalaureate degree

need to meet to be eligible as postgraduate student at another Division I school?

A9: A student-athlete who graduates with remaining athletics eligibility may use their

remaining eligibility at another Division I school provided:

» Request to enter the Transfer Portal by the final day of their sport-sp

ecific

transfer window;

» Enroll as a full-time postgraduate student; and

» If already a postgraduate student, leave their most recently attended schoo

academically eligible.

Disclaimer: This document and other NCAA transfer guides and resources are intended to address frequently asked questions related to the NCAA

Division I transfer rules and are for educational purposes only. A campus compliance administrator must certify student-athlete transfer eligibility.

General guidance and information for students considering transferring can be found at ncaa.org/transfer.

Updated July 2024

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