A NCAA transfer waiver allows a student-athlete to transfer from one NCAA school to another without having to sit out for a year, provided certain conditions are met.
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A NCAA transfer waiver is a permission that allows a college athlete to transfer from one NCAA Division I school to another without having to sit out for a year, provided certain conditions are met. This waiver’s primary purpose is to allow athletes to move to another school and immediately play there because of “a documented mitigating circumstance that is outside the student-athlete’s control and directly impacts the health, safety, or well-being of the student-athlete.”
The NCAA acknowledges several factors when considering a transfer waiver request, including:
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Injury/illness – the athlete is unable to compete at the previous university for a prolonged period because of an injury or illness.
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Coaching change – the athlete is unhappy with a change of coaching staff and believes that his/her athletic or academic success has been jeopardised.
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Financial difficulties – the athlete’s family is in financial distress and cannot cover tuition, room and board, or other expenses of attending college.
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Family issues – the athlete needs to be closer to family members for personal reasons.
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Mitigating circumstances – a situation beyond the athlete’s control that weakens his or her quality of life, such as severe weather or natural disaster.
The NCAA handles each transfer waiver consideration and rule it on a case-by-case basis. According to an NCAA report, transfer waivers granted for fall and winter sports increased from 3.9 per cent in 2017-18 to 11.9 per cent in 2018-19.
Jay Bilas, a well-known ESPN college basketball analyst and NCAA critic, argues that the NCAA should widen the range of circumstances that would allow a student-athlete to transfer without penalty, stating, “I think transfers should be able to move and have a free year of eligibility.”
Here’s a summary of the NCAA’s transfer waiver process, according to the organization’s website.
Step 1 – Submit a transfer waiver request to the university’s athletic compliance office
Step 2 – The university must fill out all required fields of the NCAA’s online transfer portal to support the transfer waiver request
Step 3 – The NCAA approves or denies the waiver based on the documents provided in the transfer portal
Overall, the NCAA transfer waiver offers athletes who are facing severe circumstances some relief, allowing them to move forward with their athletic and educational pursuits.
| Factor | Approved |
|---|---|
| Injury/Illness | Yes |
| Coaching change | Yes |
| Financial difficulties | Yes |
| Family issues | Yes |
| Mitigating circumstances | Yes |
Video response to “What is a NCAA transfer waiver?”
Rick Allen, founder of Informed Athletes discusses in a YouTube video how his company assists parents and students with the transfer process including requests, waivers and appeals. Informed Athletes helps individuals understand their rights while providing expert insight during the process. The company can be contacted for assistance via phone or email.
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“An undergraduate transfer waiver will only be considered for student-athletes who transfer for reasons related to the student-athlete’s physical or mental health and well-being; due to exigent circumstances outside the student-athlete’s control (e.g., physical or sexual assault or discrimination based on a protected
A NCAA transfer waiver is an action that sets aside an NCAA rule because a specific, extraordinary circumstance prevents you from meeting the rule. The NCAA’s current rules mandate that college athletes competing in baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football or men’s ice hockey sit out a season once they transfer unless they receive a waiver, which are usually only granted in “extenuating and extraordinary mitigating circumstances beyond the student-athlete’s control”. An undergraduate transfer waiver will only be considered for student-athletes who transfer for reasons related to the student-athlete’s physical or mental health and well-being; due to exigent circumstances outside the student-athlete’s control (e.g., physical or sexual assault or discrimination based on a protected class); or assertions involving diagnosed education impacting disabilities.
The school to which you are transferring determines whether you are eligible and has the authority to apply exceptions. Waiver: An action that sets aside an NCAA rule because a specific, extraordinary circumstance prevents you from meeting the rule. An NCAA school may file a waiver on your behalf; you cannot file a waiver for yourself.
The NCAA’s current rules mandate that college athletes competing in baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football or men’s ice hockey sit out a season once they transfer unless they receive a waiver, which are usually only granted in “extenuating and extraordinary mitigating circumstances beyond the student-athlete’s control.”
“An undergraduate transfer waiver will only be considered for student-athletes who transfer for reasons related to the student-athlete’s physical or mental health and well-being; due to exigent circumstances outside the student-athlete’s control (e.g., physical or sexual assault or discrimination based on a protected class); or assertions involving diagnosed education impacting disabilities.”