The NCAA Division II Management Council has recommended an emergency legislation to adopt the age-based eligibility model in time for the 2026-27 season.
The new age-based eligibility model was unanimously adopted by the NCAA Division I cabinet in June.
The model provides student-athletes with five full years of eligibility, with their clock beginning at the time of their 19th birthday or full-time college enrolment, whichever comes first.
It also eliminates redshirt seasons and waiver exemptions outside of a select few cases, such as pregnancy, religious missions or military service.
Under the current rules in Division II, student-athletes have a five-year eligibility clock to complete four seasons of competition, with the option to regain a season of eligibility through a redshirt or waiver request.
“As we continue evaluating the future of Division II eligibility, our focus remains on creating legislation that is not only easy to understand but is also equitable and centered on the student-athlete experience,” said Ben Cherry, faculty athletics representative at Cal State San Marcos and chair of the Management Council.
“This age-based model simplifies the rules structure by providing clarity and consistency while continuing to support academic success and student-athlete well-being.”
The NCAA also announced there’s a proposal to eliminate the limit of 60 total awards in men’s sports other than football and basketball in any academic year.
“The proposal emerged from the Division II Legislation Committee’s review of the division’s rules and policies and modernizes Bylaw 15 while maintaining sport-specific equivalency limits and institutional responsibility for adhering to Title IX requirements,” the NCAA said.
There’s also a proposal to amend NIL legislation to allow further institutional assistance, such as involvement in the NIL marketplace, and there is ongoing discussion about potentially adopting a transfer window in Division II. Read more here.
