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HAWAI'I HILO VULCANS ATHLETICS
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General NCAA - Asha Evans

NCAA Division II Adopts Age-Based Eligibility Model

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The NCAA Division II Executive Board adopted emergency legislation to establish an age-based eligibility model as recommended by the Management Council in July.

The NCAA Division II age-based eligibility rules mirror the legislation adopted by Division I and establish a five-year period of eligibility.

Under this model, a student-athlete's period of eligibility begins at the earlier of these two events:

  • Full-time enrollment at any college/university — domestic or international, including junior colleges
  • Beginning of the regular academic year immediately after the student's 19th birthday.

This shifts the Division II eligibility rules from a seasons-of-competition and semester/quarter model that included multiple waivers and exceptions to a five-year period of eligibility tied to age and college enrollment.

IMPLEMENTATION

The rule change is effective immediately for the 2026-27 academic year.

Student-athletes whose eligibility is exhausted under previous rules ― four seasons of competition within 10 semesters/15 quarters ― will not have additional eligibility.

For current student-athletes with eligibility remaining under the previous rules, compliance staff on campus will work with each student-athlete to determine which model results in the most favorable outcome for the individual student-athlete.

Prospective student-athletes who are initially enrolling at NCAA schools during the 2026-27 academic year, including those who have already turned 19, will be evaluated by the NCAA Eligibility Center, and schools will apply whichever model results in the most favorable outcome for that individual. Prospects who initially enroll full time at any college in fall 2027 or later will be subject to the age-based model only.

NCAA Age Based Model

EXCEPTIONS

There are three exceptions available to student-athletes under this rule that may delay or pause the five-year period of eligibility:

  • Pregnancy
  • Active-duty military service
  • Official religious missions

All three exceptions will be administered by the Eligibility Center.

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