A recent proposal to extend eligibility for D2 student-athletes who previously competed at non-NCAA institutions has fallen short. The NCAA D2 Management Council considered a waiver that would have allowed these athletes to remain eligible for the 2025-26 season if they had otherwise exhausted their eligibility in 2024-25. However, the motion failed to receive majority support, leaving current rules unchanged.

Had the waiver passed, athletes who spent at least one year at a non-NCAA school could have played an extra season in D2, provided they met standard eligibility requirements such as progress toward their degree and remaining within the 10-semester or 15-quarter limit. Supporters of the proposal argued that aligning with D1’s recent decision would have provided more opportunities for student-athletes transitioning from non-NCAA backgrounds.

D1 Takes a Different Approach

While D2 rejected the proposal, the NCAA D1 Board of Directors has already approved a similar waiver. Under the new D1 policy, student-athletes from non-NCAA institutions who would have exhausted their eligibility in 2024-25 will be granted an extra year in 2025-26, as long as they meet all eligibility requirements.

This decision highlights a growing divide between the two divisions regarding transfer and eligibility policies. With the Transfer Portal increasingly shaping the landscape of college athletics, questions about fairness and flexibility remain at the forefront of NCAA discussions.

Ongoing Debate Over Athlete Eligibility

The D2 Management Council’s decision reflects broader challenges in balancing competitive fairness with the evolving needs of student-athletes. Many believe D2 should follow D1’s lead in granting additional eligibility, particularly for those transitioning from junior colleges or other non-NCAA programs.

As the NCAA continues to evaluate eligibility rules, more discussions and potential proposals could emerge. For now, however, D2 athletes coming from non-NCAA schools will have to abide by the current rules—meaning no extra year will be granted for those exhausting eligibility in 2024-25.

Per NCAA D2 Presidents Council Meeting (Jan. 11, 2025).

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