How to Transfer From NCAA Division II to NAIA

For collegiate athletes, transfers are sometimes an unfortunate necessity. Due to issues around grades, discipline, position battles or lost scholarships, there comes a time when a player needs to cut their losses and transfer to another school. For college athletes, there are four levels of competition to choose from: NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. This level of competition is determined by the number of students attending the institution and the number of sports they are required to sponsor. Transferring from a NCAA Division II school to an NAIA school can be done by meeting eligibility requirements around residency, grades and playing status.

Instructions

    • 1

      Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center. Provide your current contact information, a list of all of your competitive experiences -- collegiate and noncollegiate -- since you graduated from high school, official transcripts from your NCAA Division II school (and any other institutions you may have attended), high school transcripts and test scores (for students in the their first year of college) and proof of high school graduation (unless listed on your official transcript).

    • 2

      Meet the residency rule requirements for the NAIA school you are transferring to. Obtain or meet the following conditions if you competed in an intercollegiate contents at your NCAA Division II school; a written release from your old school's athletic department; maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average at all of your prior college institutions (including junior college, if you went to one); and meet any school-specific and conference-specific academic and sports-related requirements for transferring. Wait 16 weeks before participating in your sport if you are unable to meet those requirements.

    • 3

      Verify that you meet the 24/36 Hour Rule by obtaining a copy of your college transcript. Show that you to have completed 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in the last two semesters or three quarters you attended at the NCAA Division II school prior to transferring,

    • 4

      Meet the progress rule requirements. Use your college transcript to show that you meet the proper amount of credit hours required for the number of years of eligibility you have left. For example, if you have used up two years of eligibility (and have two years remaining), you need to have completed 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours in institutional credit hours; for a single year of eligibility remaining, you need to have completed 72 semester hours or 108 quarter hours -- including 48 semester hours or 72 quarter hours of general education or course in your chosen field of study.