NCAA Guidelines

NCAA Transfer Eligibility

5 Year Clock (Applies to Division I schools only):

The number of years a student is eligible to play NCAA athletics. A student can compete 4 years out of 5 total years. The 5 year clock begins the semester a student enrolls full-time (12 units).

10 Semester Rule (Applies to Div. II and III schools only):

It is more flexible. Student has 10 full-time semesters to play. If you’re enrolled part-time, it does not count towards the 10-Semester Rule.

40-60-80% Rule:

The 40-60-80% Rule pertains to two year college transfer students who want to transfer to Division I schools only. When a student athlete enters college as a full time student there are academic degree requirements that must be fulfilled upon transfer to a Division I university in order to be eligible to compete immediately at that school.

After competing two years at the community college level, you may enter a Division I university starting the third year of the five-year clock. You must have completed 40% of your degree requirements. Once you start your fourth year of your five year clock you will need to have completed 60% of the degree requirements. Before you can start the fifth year, you will need to have completed 80% of the degree requirements.

4-2-4 College Transfer Rules:

If you previously attended a four-year college, are currently enrolled full-time at a two-year college and now wish to transfer to an NCAA Division I, II or III college you must meet the following requirements to compete immediately:

• 24 units in-between Seasons,18 of 24 need be academic
• 2.0 GPA. 12 units Do Not need to be in residence
• If coming from a university to Pierce and then intend to return to the same university, you do not need to fulfill AA requirements
• If you want to transfer to a different university (Div I only) then you do need a AA degree
• For Div. II only, no longer need AA requirements
• One calendar year must elapse (here at Pierce) since your transfer from 4 yr. university
• Students who started at the university and attended full-time have started their clock for Div. I even if attend a Community College after
• Even if student didn’t compete at the university prior to coming to Pierce, the student is still considered a 4-2-4 for Div. I only, this means your clock started when you enrolled full time.

Red Shirt vs. Grey Shirt:

Red Shirt:
A year of non-participation. You’re enrolled Full-Time, but you’re not competing as an athlete. The 5-year clock for Division I (only) is ticking and using up a year of eligibility.

Grey Shirt:
Non-participation. You enroll Part-Time (less than 12 units) your first semester in college in order to postpone your NCAA Div. I, 5-year clock.
If you feel you are going to require more than two years at the community college because you need substantial remedial work before you transfer, (for example: you placed low in Math and English) then you should consider the possibility of “Gray Shirting” for a year. When you gray shirt you enroll for fewer than 12 units to keep your Division I “5-year clock” from starting. Please discuss this with the Athletics Counselor and coach prior to enrolling.
Grey Shirting can only be done your very first semester at Pierce, you can’t Grey Shirt if you already started your clock by enrolling FT at Pierce or anywhere else.

Qualifier vs. Non Qualifier:

Qualifier

• A High School graduate who had the required academic qualifications to attend a 4 year university based on SAT score and GPA from High School
• Registered with the Clearing House
• If you are a Qualifier you
• Must have a min. 2.0 GPA
• Can transfer after one FT (12 transferable units) semester at Community College
• If you are a Qualifier” for Div. I school—don’t need AA degree requirements
• 40-60-80 Rule doesn’t affect “Qualifiers” since allowed to transfer out of CC after One semester
• If you want to find out if you are a Qualifier or you never registered with the Clearing House from High School, you can still do it now by going to: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
  • Register on-line
  • Send your High School transcripts and SAT scores to the address on-line
  • Pay a $50 fee
  • Clearing House phone #1877-262-1492

Partial Qualifier = Non Qualifier

Non-Qualifier

• Nee complete AA degree in addition to IGETC or CSU GE Plan
• Have a 2.0 GPA
• 40-60-80 Rule Applies for Div. I schools only