A Guide to the NCAA Transfer Portal


What is the transfer portal?

The NCAA transfer portal is a digital tool that was created in 2018 to streamline the college transfer process for student-athletes. It allows athletes to officially declare their desire to transfer before starting to communicate with prospective coaches while still attending their current school. This has empowered student-athletes by giving them more control over the decision to transfer and by preventing their current schools from blocking potential financial aid from future schools.  

In April of 2021, the transfer portal rules were updated to prioritize student-athlete opportunity and choice. Division I student-athletes who transfer within the division do not have to sit out a year and are immediately eligible to play once they transfer. Sitting out the first year after transferring is called academic residence. The NCAA also has one-time transfer exceptions that allow student-athletes to compete immediately. 

How does the Transfer Portal work?

Once a student-athlete decides they want to transfer, they ask their athletic compliance administrator to enter their name into the portal. For Division I, the school has two business days to submit the information. For Division II, the school has seven days to submit the athlete’s name into the portal. Other schools can begin to contact the athlete once their name is in the portal. Prior to the transfer portal, athletes needed to request permission from their coach in order to be transferred and schools could deny the student-athlete’s request to transfer.

When do athletes have to sit out a year?

Student-athletes have to sit out a year when they transfer to a Division I school for the second time. For instance, if a student-athlete has played at two Division I schools and decides to transfer again, they will have to sit out a year. If student-athletes fail to notify the school by the transfer deadline, they will also have to sit out a year in order to gain eligibility. 

Eligibility Timelines

Each division has a timeline for how many seasons a student-athlete is allowed to compete in. It is important for athletes to know how many seasons they have competed in when looking to transfer to another school.

For Division I, student-athletes have a five-year play clock. This means they have five calendar years to play four seasons of competition. This includes if they spend a year in academic residence as a result of transferring to a Division I school from another division.

Division II and Division III student-athletes are on a 10-semester or a 15-quarter clock. Student-athletes have the first 10 semesters or 15 quarters to play four seasons enrolled as a full-time student. For Division I and II athletes, if they compete for any amount of time during the season, it is included as one of their four seasons. For Division III, if an athlete competes or practices after the first date of the season, it is included as one of their four seasons.

Rules for Division I transfer

Student-athletes transferring once within the division can play immediately as long as they notify the school by the deadline. The deadline for fall and winter sports is May 1 every year. The deadline for spring sports is July 1 every year. If a student-athlete transfers for a second time to a different Division I school, they have to sit out a year. These rules impact all NCAA Division I sports. 

Rules for Division II and Division III transfer

Student-athletes transferring from a Division II school to a Division I school go through the same process to get their name into the transfer portal. If a Division III student-athlete is looking to transfer to a Division I or II school, the athlete will have to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if they have not already done so. The NCAA Eligibility Center determines a student-athlete’s eligibility based on academics and their athletic history at their school. If transferring within Division III, student-athletes can release themselves and contact schools. Division III sets their own admission and eligibility standards. Typically, athletes just need to meet the admissions requirements of the school they are planning on attending.

Rules for NAIA transfer

Transferring from an NAIA school to a NCAA Division I or II school has the strictest rules. Student-athletes need to make sure they qualify as a transfer student first. They qualify if they meet at least one of these five requirements:

  1. Been a full-time student at a two- or four-year college during a regular term (excluding summer).
  2. Have practiced with a college team.
  3. Competed or practiced with a college team while enrolled as a part-time student.
  4. Have received athletic-related financial aid while attending summer school.
  5. For Division I only: The student received any type of financial aid from a college while attending summer school.

From there, student-athletes need to decide which division level they want to transfer to and get their eligibility status. If an athlete is transferring to a Division I or II school, the athlete needs to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Lastly, the athlete needs to get a permission-to-contact letter from their athletic department or compliance office. A permission-to-contact letter is only necessary for transferring to a Division I or a Division III school.

NAIA student-athletes are immediately eligible to compete after transferring to a NCAA Division I or Division II school. Also, athletes who transfer from one NAIA school to another receive immediate eligibility after filling a transfer release form. 

The rules remain the same for student-athletes transferring from NCAA to NAIA schools. Student-athletes transferring to a NAIA school need to register with the NAIA Eligibility Center.

Rules for Two-Year College Transfers

For student-athletes looking to transfer to a four-year school from a two-year school, the requirements rely more on academic eligibility. The first thing student-athletes need to do is register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. The NCAA will certify the athlete as an academic qualifier, meaning they are eligible to transfer to a four-year school based on their academics. If an athlete completed their Associates Degree at a two-year school, they will automatically be eligible to compete at any four-year school. Student-athletes don’t need permission from the school to transfer.

What happens to Scholarships when you transfer?

It is important for an athlete to be 100% sure that they want to transfer schools due to the risks it potentially poses with an athlete’s current school. A student-athlete’s current athletic scholarship will not be affected, but it could be revoked in the future. If a student-athlete decides to stay at their current school, there is a potential risk of being cut from the team and losing athletic scholarships.

The transfer portal creates an easy way for athletes to transfer schools and continue to play collegiate sports. By knowing these rules and steps, student-athletes can be successful in the transfer process and find the right school to continue their academic and athletic careers.

23 comments to A Guide to the NCAA Transfer Portal

  1. James Craig
    March 3, 2023

    If you are a D3 student who is looking to attend the USNA, if you put your name in the portal does your current school and coach get notified?

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      March 6, 2023

      Hi James! Your current school and coaches will be notified if you enter the transfer portal. Good luck to you and feel free to reach out with any more questions!

      Reply
  2. Teddy corrland
    April 18, 2023

    If an NAIA male basketball player wants to transfer to a D3 NCAA does he need permission to contact the D3 coach ? And what is deadline to enter transfer portal if he wants to go to a D2 team ? This refers to 2023 year.

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      April 20, 2023

      The transfer portal closes on April 30th. So, if you want to transfer, you’ll need to enter your name before 11:59 PM on April 30th. It is always safe to ask for permission to contact other coaches. That way, no one is in harm’s way regarding transfer rules.

      Reply
  3. Tagen Jamison
    May 7, 2023

    Hi, I was wondering if I were to email compliance before the deadline, does that mean I am still eligible to enter the portal?

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      May 8, 2023

      That question should be directed to the compliance office at your school. Whether or not you are eligible is dependent on how fast they get your paperwork in.

      Reply
  4. Nick Dannis
    June 12, 2023

    If you enter the portal after admissions deadlines pass can a school still get you into an academic program?

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      June 14, 2023

      Yes, but you will not be eligible to play for one season.

      Reply
  5. John
    September 2, 2023

    Can you transfer knowing you are not meeting the current academic standards of your curent school. Another words Im failing want a new start

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      September 11, 2023

      Different schools have different academic requirements. Talk to your academic advisor and they can help you evaluate some different options and develop a plan to get your grades to where they need to be in order to transfer to your desired new school. Also, junior colleges are a great spot that can allow you to continue playing football and typically have low admission requirements. You would be able to continue playing while working your way back in the classroom.

      Reply
  6. Fenanda
    November 4, 2023

    If I am a tennis player and I transfer already one time, can I transfer a second time and have full scholarship?

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      November 27, 2023

      The scholarship would be dependent on the school you transfer to. First, make sure that you have discussed eligibility with your new school, as transferring multiple times can increase the likelihood of being forced to sit out a year.

      Reply
  7. Bill
    November 14, 2023

    Can a player transfer from a D1 school(2years) to a D2 school (1 year) back to a D1 school for their final year of eligibility without sitting a year.

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      November 27, 2023

      There is no definitive answer with this particular situation. Once you transfer twice, it is in the hands of the NCAA and it would be based on their discretion. However, if you’ve graduated, the rules are much more lenient. Check in with your current advisor to get more clarification.

      Reply
  8. House
    December 10, 2023

    ??? If a student has transferred once and now the Coach gets fired do he have a right to transfer again

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      December 11, 2023

      There is no definitive answer with this particular situation. If you want to transfer again, your eligibility is in the hands of the NCAA and it would be based on their discretion. However, if you’ve graduated, the rules are much more lenient. Check in with your current advisor to get more clarification.

      Reply
  9. Gilbert Brown
    December 11, 2023

    I spoke with compliance on Thursday 12/07/2023 and completed the written notification and education module on Sunday 12/10/2023. When will I be placed in the portal? I’m currently at a D2 university.

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      December 11, 2023

      Compliance can hold it for up 48 business hours. But check with your guidance counselor to see if you can get it expedited.

      Reply
  10. Stover
    December 12, 2023

    If a NCAA division II basketball player would like to transfer to an NAIA school for the spring semester can he contact the NAIA school coach or does he need permission from the ncaa school he is playing at to contact that school? Also, if he does transfer is he eligible to play in the spring semester?

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      December 12, 2023

      Always contact your guidance counselor on these sorts of concerns. You never want to break any rules and risk losing eligibility. Transfer rules vary from school to school, especially at the NAIA level. So be certain before taking that jump. First step: a sit down with your counselor.

      Reply
  11. Jackson
    December 13, 2023

    I want to transfer to another DII school to play volleyball but I’ve transferred once would I sit out?

    Reply
    • Signing Day Sports
      December 14, 2023

      This would be dependent on the school’s rules that you transfer to. Make sure to contact a compliance official at the school beforehand to confirm.

      Reply
  12. Geoffrey Davis
    February 20, 2024

    Love the feedback loop here… this is very helpful for sure.

    Reply

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