NCAA Division II has adopted an age-based eligibility model. The approval came following a vote on Wednesday, August 3.
It will mirror the Division I model that was adopted in June. The rule will go into effect in the 2026-27 academic year. Under the new model a student-athletes five year period of eligibility will begin under the earliest of two events. Either once the student enrolls full time into any college or university (domestic or international); or at the beginning of the academic year immediately following the students 19th birthday.
The new model eliminates the old model that was semester/quarter based to get a student-athlete four years of competition that included multiple waivers. Student-athletes who have already exhausted their eligibility under the previous rule WILL NOT receive any additional eligibility.
“As Division II has continued to determine a path forward for a Division II eligibility model, it has been clear that any rule change should apply going forward, and not retroactively to student-athletes whose eligibility has been completed prior to the adoption of the change,” the Division II Executive Board and Management Council said in a joint statement. “Student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility by 2025-26 have received the full period of eligibility permitted by NCAA bylaws and the life-changing benefits college sports provides. Giving student-athletes another season would disrupt expected roster spots and playing time ahead of the upcoming seasons and alter financial aid packages for countless student-athletes, including incoming freshmen who are beginning (or have begun) their college athletics experience.”
There will be three exceptions to the new five year model that may pause or delay eligibility. The exceptions are pregnancy, active-duty military service, and official religious missions. All three exceptions will be administered/granted by the Eligibility Center.
