The Division I Cabinet on Friday discussed possible implementation of an age-based eligibility model, should the concept ultimately be formally proposed and approved. The Cabinet also signaled that it would consider voting on the age-based eligibility model at its June meeting.
If adopted, the age-based eligibility model would replace current eligibility rules in Division I, instead allowing student-athletes up to five years of competition within their chosen sport during a five-year window that begins the academic year following their high school graduation or their 19th birthday, whichever occurs first.
Under the age-based model, waivers would no longer be available to extend eligibility, with exceptions for pregnancy, official religious missions and active-duty military service, provided the student-athlete does not participate in organized competition.
Sport-specific exceptions and grace periods are not expected.
In an effort to provide clear and predictable guidelines and make a transition to the model as seamless as possible, the Cabinet outlined the expected implementation process, should the change be adopted. Specifically, the implementation options currently contemplated include:
- Student-athletes whose fourth season of collegiate eligibility was completed by spring 2026: No additional eligibility.
- Currently enrolled student-athletes with eligibility remaining after the 2025-26 academic year: Flexibility for schools to apply the age-based model or continue with the previous eligibility rules (four seasons to compete with five total years of eligibility), whichever is most beneficial to that individual.
- Prospects expected to graduate from high school in spring 2027: Age-based model only.
- Prospects expected to graduate from high school in spring 2026, regardless of planned enrollment date: Age-based model only.
- Prospects who graduated prior to spring 2026 and have not enrolled: The NCAA Eligibility Center will review the prospect's individual circumstances and apply the age-based model or existing delayed enrollment eligibility rules, whichever is most beneficial to that individual.
For schools with current student-athletes who may be eligible for hardship waivers or extensions of eligibility, the Cabinet indicated that the deadline to submit any waiver requests to NCAA staff is July 31. After that date, waivers would no longer be available for current student-athletes or prospects.
