NCAA TRANSFER PORTAL
THE BASICS
What is the Transfer Portal?
The NCAA Transfer Portal is an online database where college athletes can officially declare their intention to transfer and communicate with other schools during designated transfer periods.
- Student-athletes must enter the portal during an approved transfer window
- Transfer windows differ by sport, division and competitive season
- Once an athlete enters the portal, other programs may legally contact them
- Entering the portal does not guarantee a scholarship or roster spot
- Transfer rules and deadlines can change annually, so athletes should always confirm current dates and requirements
Expert Advice
Before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, student-athletes should carefully evaluate their decision to transfer. Although a current scholarship remains protected through the existing term, future financial aid or roster opportunities at the current school may no longer be guaranteed once the transfer process begins. So, if an athlete decides to remain at the school after entering the transfer process, the institution may choose not to renew future scholarship aid or may allocate those opportunities to other athletes. However, once an athlete enters the Transfer Portal, most college coaches won’t allow that athlete to come back to the team, because the athlete showed he or she doesn’t want to be at that school. College coaches don’t want athletes on their team that don’t want to be at their school.
When considering entering the Portal, factor in the impact it could have academically, athletically and consider that you essentially become a “free agent” and have no idea what schools you may be able to transfer to. Also, know that many athletes do not find a new school.
3 key things to know about the NCAA Transfer Portal
HOW TO ENTER THE TRANSFER PORTAL
The Process
1) Let your coach and/or administrator know you intention to transfer
2) The school then has 48 hours to enter your name into the Transfer Portal
3) Once your name is in the Transfer Portal, you will receive and email notification, verifying other college coaches can now contact you
Expert Advice
Athletes cannot talk to other college coaches until he or she is in the Transfer Portal. However, athletes can post on social media his or her intentions to transfer before entering the Transfer Portal.
WHO CAN ENTER THE TRANSFER PORTAL
The NCAA Transfer Portal is only available to NCAA Division I, II and III athletes, coaches and administrators. Schools and coaches affiliated with the NAIA and 2-year colleges do not have direct access to the NCAA Transfer Portal system.
Student-athletes must remain academically eligible at each institution in order to benefit from the transfer rule. Failure to maintain academic eligibility may still lead to delays in the transfer process or the loss of immediate competition eligibility. There are several NCAA rules regarding athletes transfer from/to NCAA Division I, II and III schools and to/from 2-year JUCOs. Go to the NCAA RESOURCE PAGE on transferring.
NAIA Athletes
NCAA recruiting rules require NAIA student-athletes seeking contact with an NCAA Division I program to first obtain a “Permission to Contact” from their current NAIA institution (this is NOT required to transfer to NCAA D2 or D3 schools). NAIA athletes looking to transfer to an NCAA Division I or II school need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Current NAIA student-athletes should work with their school’s Director of Athletics to request permission when they are ready to begin the process.
Expert Advice
College athletes choose to transfer for many different reasons, including academic opportunities, coaching changes, playing time, athletic development or overall personal well-being. Some student-athletes discover that their current institution does not offer the academic program they want to pursue, while others may feel the team environment, culture or coaching style is not the right fit for their long-term goals.
WHEN YOU CAN ENTER THE TRANSFER PORTAL
There are specific windows when NCAA Division I athletes can enter the Transfer Portal (see below). The following windows are when athletes can enter the Transfer Portal, NOT when they can transfer to another school.
Exceptions
- NCAA Division II athletes can enter the Transfer Portal until June 15.
- NCAA Division III athletes can enter the Transfer Portal at any time.
- Postgraduate transfers in sports other than football may enter the Transfer Portal at any time through the final transfer window date for their respective sport.
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Exceptions may also apply to NCAA Division I student-athletes who experience a head coaching change or whose scholarship has been reduced, canceled or not renewed.
Expert Advice
Fall sport athletes have the most time to find a new school after their season is over with the windows being starting as early as November, while spring sport athletes have very small windows to find a new school after their season is over with the windows starting as late as June.
FACTS TO KNOW
- The NCAA has Transfer Portal facts and trends at these links: NCAA DIVISION I and NCAA DIVISION II
- Student-athletes who are academically eligible and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal during the designated transfer window may compete immediately at their new institution, even if it is not their first transfer. However, athletes who enter the portal outside of the official transfer window may be required to obtain a waiver in order to receive immediate eligibility.
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Restrictions on multiple transfers have been removed. In the past, student-athletes who transferred more than once were often required to sit out a season or request a waiver for immediate eligibility. Under the current rules, they may transfer without penalty as long as they meet academic requirements and follow the proper compliance procedures established by the NCAA.