based eligibility model

Key Points:

• The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a major overhaul of student-athlete eligibility rules, allowing up to five years of eligibility for those enrolling in college by the academic year following their 19th birthday, eliminating previous season limits and redshirt rules.
• The new age-based eligibility model aims to simplify administration, align with typical college enrollment and graduation patterns, and provide student-athletes with clearer, fairer eligibility expectations.
• The rule change will take effect for students enrolling full-time in fall 2027, with transitional provisions allowing current athletes and 2026 enrollees to choose the most favorable rules between the old and new systems.
• Exceptions to the eligibility clock, such as for pregnancy, military service, and religious missions, are permitted only if the student-athlete does not compete during the exception period, and these will be managed by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
• Waivers under the previous rules, including hardship and clock extensions, will no longer be available after July 31, 2026, requiring schools to submit any pending waiver requests before that deadline for current athletes.