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Article v Section G

Transfer Requirements: General

Link to NAIA Bylaws

 

  • Transfer Form Requirement (Item 1)

    • Any student who previously attended another college (2- or 4-year) and now transfers to an NAIA institution must complete the NAIA Transfer Player Eligibility Statement.

    • The form must be submitted to the eligibility chair before the student can compete.

  • Definition of a Transfer Student (Item 2)

    • A student is considered "identified" (and therefore a transfer if they leave) when they:

      • Participate in an intercollegiate contest, or

      • Enroll in 12+ institutional credit hours (based on official census date).

      • Summer session enrollment does not count.

  • Withdrawal and Return to Same School (Item 3)

    • If a student withdraws from their original school within 21 calendar days of the term starting and later returns to that same institution without identifying elsewhere:

      • No term of attendance is charged for that term.

  • Withdrawal and Return to a Different NAIA School After a Break (Item 4)

    • If a student:

      • Withdraws within 21 days of the term,

      • Does not compete, and

      • Remains out of school for two semesters/trimesters or three quarters,
        Then:

      • The term does not count for 24/36-Hour Rule or Nine-Hour Rule.

      • However, it does count toward the maximum terms of attendance (10/12/15).

      • If the student competed, the term counts for all rules.

  • Transfer with Official Withdrawal (Item 5)

    • If a student:

      • Withdraws after being identified, and

      • Later identifies with another school,
        Then:

      • The term of attendance is still charged, even if no credits were earned.

  • Suspension Carryover Rule (Item 6) 

    • If a student was dismissed, suspended or equivalent due to misconduct while representing an institution in competition:

      • They must serve the same suspension period at the new school before competing.

    • Casebook Clarification:

      • Suspension for violating athletic department policy (not just team rules) carries over.

      • Student must complete two full semesters at the new school or until the suspension period ends—whichever is shorter.

  • Residency Not Required for NAIA Transfers (Item 7)

    • NAIA does not require a residency period before a transfer student can compete.

    • However, intra-conference residency rules may still apply.

  • Multiple Seasons of Competition in One Year (Item 8)

    • A student who competes in the same sport at two institutions in one academic year:

      • Is charged with two seasons of competition.

      • Note that this bylaw refers to being charged in one sport "by different institutions." This means we evaluate SOCs based on what occurred at each institution. 
      • If it is an NAIA institution to NAIA institution: we evaluate the student's intercollegiate participation based on the 20% limit at each institution. Contests that count towards the 20% limit will be calulated for each institution and will not carry over. 
      • NCAA (or other athletic associations) to NAIA participation in one academic year: the NAIA will always take seasons charged (or not charged) at face value from the previous athletic association. The participation at the NAIA institution will be evaluated under the NAIA 20% rule. 

    • Exception:

      • A junior college student who graduates and transfers to an NAIA school during the same season (and is eligible) is charged with only one season.