NCAA drops immediate eligibility hardship waiver for transfers
NCAA athletes who transfer will no longer be able to apply for a hardship waiver to become immediately eligible at a new school starting in 2015-2016.
The NCAA approved the change in April 2014 allowing transfers a possible sixth-year of eligibility. The extra year replaces the ability for a recruit to play immediately at his or her new school if granted a waiver. The sanctioning body sent out a statement earlier in the week addressing questions about the new rule, which goes into effect next school year.
From July 2012-June 2013, the NCAA approved 127 of 236 hardship waiver applications. The amendment applies to athletes not eligible to use a transfer exception and players transferring from one FBS school to another are not eligible to receive a transfer exception.
Under the new scenario, a player who redshirted as a freshman and transferred after his redshirt sophomore season could be eligible to play two years at his new school after sitting out a season.
According to the NCAA's new guidelines, a school does not have to immediately file an eligibility extension request upon receiving notice of an incoming transfer.
The most prominent hardship waiver case before the 2014 season was Michigan's request to have USC running back Ty Isaac immediately eligible after his transfer. The NCAA denied the waiver request for Isaac, and he'll be eligible to play in 2015.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
