NCAA eligibility

[Unregistered]

I've looked at the NCAA site, but am not finding the info I'm looking for.

I've always thought that each athlete gets 4 years of NCAA eligibility at their university. Is this correct? I know that if you choose to transfer to a school in the same division (ie, DI, DII) you have to sit out a year before you're allowed to participate. But if you stay at the same school, do you only get 4 years?

Also, does anyone know the rules about playing for a community college before transferring? If you are only allowed 4 years eligibility, and play for a CC before transferring to a DI school, do you still get 4 years at the DI, or are you only allowed 2 if you played for 2 years at the CC?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[Unregistered]

You get 5 years to use your 4 years of eligibility absent a medical or other hardship. Transferring can cost a year of eligibility and yes CC years count. If you're interested in a particular school, contact their NCAA compliance officer. That person can usually answer your questions or point you in the right direction.

[Unregistered]

Thank you-that's really helpful.

[Unregistered]

There are also instances where you can actually play in 5 seasons our of 6. Example you red-shirt your first year (you don't play at all on the field, just practice with the team). Then play a couple of years using up 3 years of your eligibility. Then your sr year (called your red-shirt sr year) you blow out your knee in the first 20 minutes of the first game. The school can apply for a medical hardship for you which the NCAA may grant, which would allow you another sr. season the following season. In all, you will have played 4 complete seasons, but did it over 6 years.

[Unregistered]

"Then play a couple of years" should have been "Then play a few of years"

[Unregistered]

Great advice. Thank you.

[Unregistered]

More Info

Great advice. Thank you.

Be careful on how many hours they are taking in school. If you go over threshold you will have started your 5 year clock.