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:
- Been a full-time student at a two- or four-year college during a regular term (excluding summer).
- Have practiced with a college team.
- Competed or practiced with a college team while enrolled as a part-time student.
- Have received athletic-related financial aid while attending summer school.
- 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.
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29 comments to A Guide to the NCAA Transfer Portal
James Craig
March 3, 2023If 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?
Signing Day Sports
March 6, 2023Hi 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!
Teddy corrland
April 18, 2023If 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.
Signing Day Sports
April 20, 2023The 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.
Tagen Jamison
May 7, 2023Hi, I was wondering if I were to email compliance before the deadline, does that mean I am still eligible to enter the portal?
Signing Day Sports
May 8, 2023That 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.
Nick Dannis
June 12, 2023If you enter the portal after admissions deadlines pass can a school still get you into an academic program?
Signing Day Sports
June 14, 2023Yes, but you will not be eligible to play for one season.
John
September 2, 2023Can you transfer knowing you are not meeting the current academic standards of your curent school. Another words Im failing want a new start
Signing Day Sports
September 11, 2023Different 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.
Fenanda
November 4, 2023If I am a tennis player and I transfer already one time, can I transfer a second time and have full scholarship?
Signing Day Sports
November 27, 2023The 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.
Bill
November 14, 2023Can 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.
Signing Day Sports
November 27, 2023There 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.
House
December 10, 2023??? If a student has transferred once and now the Coach gets fired do he have a right to transfer again
Signing Day Sports
December 11, 2023There 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.
Gilbert Brown
December 11, 2023I 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.
Signing Day Sports
December 11, 2023Compliance can hold it for up 48 business hours. But check with your guidance counselor to see if you can get it expedited.
Stover
December 12, 2023If 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?
Signing Day Sports
December 12, 2023Always 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.
Jackson
December 13, 2023I want to transfer to another DII school to play volleyball but I’ve transferred once would I sit out?
Signing Day Sports
December 14, 2023This 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.
Geoffrey Davis
February 20, 2024Love the feedback loop here… this is very helpful for sure.
Matt
May 10, 2024My son will be going to a d3 school for baseball for freshman year if he tranfers to a naia school the following year does he go into portal or just sign a release form?
William
May 30, 2024If I am currently a player at a D3 school and want to transfer schools to be closer to home and will choose to try to walk on at D2 school once I am academically admitted, do I need to enter the transfer portal?
Signing Day Sports
May 30, 2024You will still need to enter the transfer portal. Be sure to sit with your counselor to ensure a smooth transition.
Jayden Kennard
September 17, 2024I’m looking at transferring, I am a freshman at a d3 right now but after this semester I want to take a chance and go walk on at a bigger school (arkansas state university) what would academic requirements be.
Margo
December 4, 2024Does the university have the right to make you fill out additional paperwork in order to get your name placed in the portal? Or should it just be that I provide them with the basic information and complete the module, and they enter my name?
Kelly
April 27, 2025If the portal is closed, can you still transfer from a D2 to a D2, first time transfer and academics are good?