Thinking About Transferring? How Four-Year NCAA Transfers Actually Work

Dec 24

Transferring from a four-year college is rarely a decision a student-athlete makes lightly. Sometimes it’s driven by a coaching change, a roster that suddenly feels crowded, or a role that looks very different than what was promised during recruiting. Other times it’s academic — a major that isn’t a great fit, a new interest that the school doesn’t support, or a realization that the academic or social environment just isn’t right. And occasionally, it’s simply about growth: a student who has learned more about themselves and now wants something different. Whatever the reason, transferring can feel overwhelming, especially when NCAA rules vary by division and by direction of the move. This guide is designed to simplify the process and help families understand how a student-athlete can transfer from one four-year institution to another.

Before getting into transfer rules, it is important to understand these truths:

Entering the Transfer Portal does not guarantee coach interest, a roster spot, athletic aid, or admission
The Transfer Portal only gives college coaches permission to contact a student-athlete and have recruiting conversations
Student-athletes must still apply to each college through its standard transfer admissions process
Official college transcripts must be submitted and evaluated for transferable credit
Admission decisions are made by the college, not the coaching staff
Once a student-athlete enters the Transfer Portal, the institution is not required to protect the student-athlete’s roster spot, future scholarship renewal, or long-term role on the team. While existing aid may remain in place for the current award period under NCAA financial-aid rules, there is no obligation to plan around or retain the student-athlete moving forward.
Even when a student-athlete meets NCAA transfer requirements, Division I and Division II conference rules—particularly for intraconference transfers—may still limit immediate eligibility.

Four-Year Transfer Guide

If you’re considering transferring from one four-year institution to another, here’s what you need to know — organized by NCAA Division, with key differences clearly explained. This guide applies to four-year to four-year transfers only. Two-year (NJCAA) transfers follow a different set of rules.

Division I Transfers

Step 1: Notification of Transfer & the Transfer Portal: Division I student-athletes must submit a written Notification of Transfer to their compliance office before speaking with other coaches. Once you complete the Division I Transfer Module and request notification within your sport’s transfer window, your school must place your name in the Transfer Portal within two business days.

Until your name is in the Portal:

• Other coaches cannot contact you

• Third parties (parents, club coaches, agents) cannot contact coaches on your behalf

Step 2: When Recruiting Can Begin: Recruiting conversations with Division I coaches can begin only after:

You are entered into the Transfer Portal

Your sport’s transfer window is open

Academic departments (admissions, financial aid) may be contacted at any time, as long as conversations are not athletics-related.

Step 3: Eligibility at the New School: A four-year undergraduate transfer can generally compete immediately at a new Division I school if they:

• Left the previous school academically eligible

• Were in good standing (no disciplinary suspension)

• Meet progress-toward-degree requirements at the new school

There is no limit on the number of undergraduate transfers in Division I — eligibility is academic, not numerical. Sport-specific rules (midyear transfers, competition in the year of transfer) and conference rules may still apply.

Division II Transfers

Notification of Transfer

Division II student-athletes must also submit a written Notification of Transfer and complete the Division II Transfer Module.

Once notification is submitted, the school has seven calendar days to place the athlete in the Transfer Portal.

Recruiting Communication

Just like Division I, no recruiting conversations with coaches may occur until the athlete is officially entered into the Portal.

Admissions offices may be contacted independently at any time.

Eligibility Standards (Division II Updated Rule)

An athlete may be immediately eligible if they meet either of the following:

• They did not practice or compete at the previous school (or the school didn’t sponsor the sport) and were in good academic standing

• They would have been academically and athletically eligible had they remained at the previous school

Additionally, the athlete must have earned at least nine semester (or eight quarter) credits during their last full-time term.

Division III Transfers

Division III operates very differently — and often more flexibly.

If you are transferring from one Division III school to another:

• You do not need permission to contact

• You may use a self-release form to speak with the new school

This allows Division III athletes more autonomy in exploring options.

If a Division III athlete wants to transfer to a Division I or II school:

• Written permission to contact is required from the current school

• If permission is not granted within seven days, it is granted by default

If permission is denied (often because the student is not in good academic standing), the new Division I or II school cannot provide athletically related financial aid until the athlete completes one academic year at the new institution.

Division III athletes may be immediately eligible if they:

• Would have been academically eligible had they remained at the prior school

• Have not exhausted seasons of competition

• Meet institutional and conference requirements

Division III does not use initial-eligibility certification through the NCAA Eligibility Center (except for international students).

Graduate & Post-Baccalaureate Transfers (All Divisions)

Graduate transfers are treated differently across divisions:

• Division I: May compete immediately if enrolled full-time in a graduate or second-degree program and eligibility remains

• Division II: Graduate transfers may also be immediately eligible if eligibility remains

• Division III: Graduate students are not considered transfers and may compete while pursuing a graduate or second bachelor’s degree

Conference rules can still apply.

NCAA Transfer Windows (Four-Year Transfers)

Sport-Specific Transfer Windows

Transferring into Division I:

Division I athletes may only enter the Transfer Portal during their sport’s designated window, with limited exceptions.

Examples (2025–26 cycle):

• Tennis: May 4 – June 2

• Soccer (Men): Nov 24 – Dec 23

• Soccer (Women): Nov 17 – Dec 16

• Basketball (Men): Mar 23 – Apr 21

• Basketball (Women): Mar 24 – Apr 22

• Baseball: June 1 – June 30

Full sport-by-sport listings are published annually by the NCAA.

Transferring into Division II

• No sport-specific transfer windows

• Written notification of transfer required

• Recruiting begins once the athlete is entered into the Transfer Portal

Transferring into Division III

• No transfer windows

• Permission-to-contact rules apply only when moving to Division I or II

• D-III to D-III transfers may self-release

Final Thought

Transferring requires planning, timing, and academic awareness.

Before making a move:

• Talk with compliance

• Understand your eligibility clock

• Confirm how credits will transfer

• Know when — and how — coaches are legally allowed to speak with you

Regardless of the division a student is currently competing in—or hopes to enter—they should consult the NCAA website for the most current transfer regulations.

Amy Bryant