TRANSFER REGULATIONS

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NOTIFICATION OF TRANSFER / TRANSFER PORTAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES | SEC BYLAWS | NCAA BYLAWS | OTHER NCAA BYLAWS

notification of transfer

TRANSFER PORTAL policy and procedures

LSU Athletics notification of transfer policy and process is designed to meet the requirements pursuant to NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3.1 and its subsections.  Specifically, that a student-athlete may initiate the notification of transfer process by providing his or her institution with a written notification of transfer at specified times depending on the relevant sport and our institution has two (2) business days in which to enter the student-athlete’s name into the NCAA national transfer database. 

Procedure for Submitting Written Notification of Transfer

1. Written notification of transfer should be sent by the involved student-athlete via ARMS Compliance Software.  The Notification to Transfer workflow is located on the ARMS Dashboard under Workflow Launchpad.

2. Student-athletes are encouraged to speak with their head coach and/or sport supervisor prior to submitting a written notification of transfer.

3. It is recommended that a student-athlete meet with the compliance office or senior women’s administrator to discuss applicable legislation and their transfer options during an exit interview prior to his or her name being entered into the NCAA Transfer Database.  This meeting may be held prior to or after providing written notification.

4. Once written notification is submitted by the student-athlete in ARMS, an automatic email will generate to the head coach, senior women’s administrator and members of the compliance office of the student-athlete’s desire to be placed into the NCAA transfer database.

5. A compliance staff member will enter the student-athlete’s name into the NCAA Transfer Database within two (2) business days of the receipt of ARMS Written Notification of Transfer Workflow from the student-athlete.

6. The NCAA transfer database will facilitate the initiation of the transfer process through the following mechanisms:

• An institution’s compliance staff enters the student-athlete’s general information into the notification of transfer tab within two business days.

• Immediately following submission, automatic alerts are sent to the student-athlete and selected institutional staff (e.g., director of athletics, compliance, faculty athletics representative, etc.)

• The student-athlete’s notification of transfer information is posted with a date stamp record, after which permissible recruiting conversations may begin.

• The student-athlete’s notification of transfer information becomes searchable by other institutions, to confirm that permissible recruiting contacts may occur.

• The institution subsequently enters and periodically updates, if necessary, the student-athlete’s typical tracer form information regarding eligibility and participation history.

• If the student-athlete transfers or remains enrolled at the original institution during the subsequent academic year, the student-athlete’s notification of transfer information will be archived.

7.  Once a student-athlete has been entered into the transfer database, the workflow is approved by compliance and an email is generated to the student-athlete indicating NCAA rules regarding scholarship reduction/cancellation and access to benefits and services. 

8. The student-athlete will receive a follow-up email regarding the use of the one-time transfer (if applicable).

9. The student-athlete's notification of transfer expires at the time in which he or she withdraws the notification or begins classes at his or her original institution or another institution during the subsequent academic year.

Withdrawal

A student-athlete’s record may be withdrawn from the portal at any time during the transfer process, by completing the ARMS Transfer Database Withdrawal Workflow. The student-athlete will receive an automatic e-mail notification when this occurs. The student-athlete’s record will remain on the NCAA transfer list with a “withdrawn” notation and date.

While a student-athlete has the ability to withdraw their name from the NCAA transfer database, the head coach does not have to award athletics aid for future terms or permit the student-athlete to return to their team.

One-Time Transfer Exception

As outlined in NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10, LSU will indicate on the NCAA transfer tracer whether or not the student-athlete is being granted an exception to the transfer-residence requirement.

a. In the sports of football, basketball and baseball a student-athlete will have to serve an academic year in residence upon enrollment at the second institution unless student-athlete meets an NCAA transfer exception (e.g., non-recruited).  

b. Per SEC Bylaw 14.5.5.1, A transfer student from a member institution may be eligible for intercollegiate competition during the individual’s initial academic year in residence at another member institution provided the student provides written notification of transfer to the institution by the following dates:

• Fall sports: February 1.

• Winter sports: May 1.

• Spring sports: July 1.

c. If the student-athlete’s request for the one-time transfer exception is denied, the student-athlete has the right to request a hearing to contest the denial. The request must be made in writing. All hearings will be conducted by an entity independent of the Athletic Department.

d. Upon request by another institution, LSU will complete the transfer tracer in the NCAA Transfer Portal and will update, as needed.

Benefits & Services

NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3.3 requires institutions to have written policies related to the implications of a student-athlete providing written notification of transfer, including a description of services and benefits (e.g., academic support services, access to athletics facilities) that will or will not be provided to a student-athlete upon receipt of notification.  Such policies shall be published and generally available to student-athletes.

Athletics administration reserves the right to restrict any of the following benefits and services.  Access to the following benefits and services will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis (this list is not exhaustive):

1. Equipment and Apparel

2. Access to/use of athletically-controlled facilities that are not open to all members of the student body (e.g., practice and competition facilities, locker rooms, weight rooms, team meeting rooms, team lounges, etc.).

3. Incidental Meals / occasional meals/ fueling stations

4. Student-athlete complimentary tickets to LSU Athletics events (e.g. football games)

Cancellation or Reduction of Athletics Aid

NCAA Bylaw 15.3.5.1(f) permits an institution to reduce or cancel athletics aid during the period of the award, or reduce or not renew aid for the following academic year or years of the student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility if the student-athlete provides written notification of transfer (see Bylaw 13.1.1.3) to the institution subject to the following:

·  A student-athlete’s financial aid may not be reduced or canceled until the end of the regular academic term in which written notification of transfer is received.  For example, if a student-athlete submits written notification of transfer during the month of October, then the earliest his or her athletics aid could be cancelled or reduced would be at the end of the fall semester (i.e. no athletics aid beginning with the spring semester).

·  An institution may reduce or cancel the financial aid immediately if a student-athlete provides written notification of transfer to the institution between regular academic terms (winter break, summer break).

·  Student-athletes retain the right to appeal any cancellations, reduction or nonrenewal of athletics aid.

Voluntary Withdrawal

NCAA Bylaw 15.3.4.2 permits an institution to reduce or cancel athletics aid during the period of the award if the recipient:

(a) Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition;

(b) Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.3);

(c) Engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.4); or

(d) Voluntarily (on his or her own initiative) withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons; however, the recipient's financial aid may not be awarded to another student-athlete in the academic term in which the aid is reduced or canceled. A student-athlete's request for written permission to contact another four-year collegiate institution regarding a possible transfer does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal.

View the 2022-2023 SEC Constitution and Bylaws here.

14.5.4.2 Non-qualifiers (Two-Year Transfers). A non-qualifier, who initially enrolls at a two-year college and transfers to a member institution, shall not be eligible for competition during the individual’s initial academic year in residence unless each of the following requirements have been met: [Revised: 6/3/93; Revised: 6/1/08; Revised: 6/1/12, Revised: 6/3/21]

(a) Attended the two-year college that granted the Associate or equivalent degree as a full-time student for the last three semesters or four quarters immediately prior to graduation from the institution granting the two-year degree (excluding summer terms); [Revised: 6/1/02]

(b) Correspondence, extension and distance learning courses used to fulfill the transferable English, Math and/or Science (when applicable) requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14.5.4.2, may only be completed at a two-year college where the individual is enrolled as a full-time student in pursuit of an Associate or equivalent degree.

14.5.5.1 Transferring within the Southeastern Conference. A transfer student from a member institution may be eligible for intercollegiate competition during the individual’s initial academic year in residence at another member institution provided the student provides written notification of transfer to the institution by the following dates: [Revised: 6/2/00; effective 8/1/2001; Revised: 6/1/08; Revised 6/3/21, effective 10/1/21]

(a) Fall sports: February 1.

(b) Winter sports: May 1.

(c) Spring sports: July 1.

View the 2022-2023 NCAA Division I Manual here.

14.5.5.2 Exceptions for Transfers From Four-Year Colleges. A transfer student (other than one under disciplinary suspension per Bylaw 14.5.1.2) from a four-year collegiate institution is not subject to the residence requirement for intercollegiate competition, provided the student met the notification of transfer requirements per Bylaw 13.1.1.3.1, does not have an unfulfilled residence requirement at the institution from which the student is transferring (except for the return to original institution without participation or with minimal participation exception) and any of the following exceptions is satisfied. During the student-athlete's first academic year of full-time collegiate enrollment, such conditions may serve as a basis for an exception to the residence requirement only for transfer students who, at the time of initial collegiate enrollment, met the requirements for qualifiers (set forth in Bylaw 14.3.1) in Division I. (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/10/91 effective 8/1/91, 4/27/00 effective 8/1/01, 3/10/04, 5/19/08, 6/24/09, 9/15/22 effective 8/31/22 Immediate; applicable to transfer student-athletes seeking eligibility during the 2023-24 academic year and thereafter.)

14.5.5.2.1 Educational Exchange Exception. The student returns to the student's original institution under any of the following conditions:

(a) After participation in a cooperative educational exchange program, provided the student is to receive a baccalaureate degree from the institution from which the student transferred to participate in the exchange program;

(b) After one semester or quarter of attendance at another institution for purposes of taking academic courses not available at the original institution, regardless of whether they are required in the degree program the student-athlete is pursuing at the first institution. In such an instance, the student also may take additional courses that were available at the first institution; or

(c) After one academic year of attendance at another collegiate institution, in accordance with the program recommended by the appropriate academic officer at the original institution, provided the student was in good academic standing at the time the student left the original institution.

14.5.5.2.2 Exchange Student Exception. The student is enrolled in the certifying institution for a specified period of time as a bona fide exchange student participating in a formal educational exchange program that is an established requirement of the student-athlete's curriculum. (Revised: 1/11/89, 1/10/92)

14.5.5.2.3 Discontinued Academic Program Exception. The student changed institutions in order to continue a major course of study because the original institution discontinued the academic program in the student’s major. (Revised: 4/27/00)

14.5.5.2.4 International Student Program Exception. The individual is an international student who is required to transfer (one or more times) because of a study program predetermined by the government of the student's nation or the sponsoring educational organization.

14.5.5.2.5 Military Service Exception. The student returns from at least 12 months of active service in the armed forces of the United States. (Revised: 1/9/06, 1/17/09 effective 8/1/09)

14.5.5.2.5.1 Collegiate Enrollment Concurrent With Military Service. The amount of time that an individual is enrolled as a regular student in a collegiate institution while concurrently on active military duty may not be counted as a part of the 12-month active-duty period that qualifies a student for an exception to the transfer-residence requirement. (Revised: 1/9/06, 1/17/09 effective 8/1/09)

14.5.5.2.6 Discontinued/Nonsponsored Sport Exception. In a particular sport when the student transfers at any time to the certifying institution and participates in the sport on the intercollegiate level after any of the following conditions has occurred: (Revised: 3/10/04, 10/4/17)

(a) The student's original four-year collegiate institution dropped (or has publicly announced it will drop) the sport (in which the student has practiced or competed at that institution in intercollegiate competition) from its intercollegiate program while the student was in attendance at the institution; or

(b) The student's original four-year collegiate institution reclassified (or has publicly announced it will reclassify) the sport (in which the student has practiced or competed at that institution in intercollegiate competition) from Division I to Division III status while the student was in attendance at the institution, and the student subsequently had not competed in that sport on the Division III level; or

(c) The student's original four-year collegiate institution never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level while the student was in attendance at the institution, provided the student had never transferred (see Bylaw 14.5.2) from any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that particular sport while the student was in attendance.

14.5.5.2.6.1 Original Institution. In applying this provision for an exception to the residence requirement, the original collegiate institution shall be the one in which the student was enrolled immediately prior to transfer to the certifying institution, it being understood that, if the student is transferring from an institution that never sponsored the sport on the intercollegiate level, the student never shall have transferred from any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in that sport while the student was in attendance. (Revised: 10/4/17)

14.5.5.2.7 Two-Year Nonparticipation or Minimal Participation Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year college and, for a consecutive two-year period immediately before the date on which the student begins participation (practice and/or competition), the student has neither engaged in intercollegiate competition nor engaged in other countable athletically related activities in the involved sport in intercollegiate athletics beyond a 14-consecutive-day period, and has neither practiced with a noncollegiate amateur team nor engaged in organized noncollegiate amateur competition while enrolled as a full-time student in a collegiate institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (see Bylaw 17.02.1). The two-year period does not include any period of time before the student's initial collegiate enrollment. (Revised: 1/10/95, 1/9/06)

14.5.5.2.8 Return to Original Institution Without Participation or With Minimal Participation Exception. The student transfers to a second four-year collegiate institution, does not compete at the second institution and does not engage in other countable athletically related activities in the involved sport at the second institution beyond a 14-consecutive-day period and returns to the original institution. The 14-consecutive-day period begins with the date on which the student-athlete first engages in any countable athletically related activity (see Bylaw 17.02.1). A student may use this exception even if he or she has an unfulfilled residence requirement at the institution from which he or she is transferring. (Revised: 3/10/04, 1/9/06)

14.5.5.2.9 Nonrecruited or Nonscholarship Student Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution and either of the following conditions are met: (Revised: 1/9/06, 5/1/19 effective 8/1/19)

(a) The student-athlete's previous institution does not provide athletically related financial aid in the sport and the student-athlete was not recruited by the previous institution (per Bylaw 13.02.14.1); or

(b) The student-athlete's previous institution provides athletically related financial aid in the sport and no athletically related financial aid was received by the student-athlete.

14.5.5.2.10 One-Time Transfer Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year collegiate institution, and all the following conditions are met (for postgraduate students, see Bylaw 14.6.1): (Revised: 1/16/93 effective 8/1/93, 1/11/94, 1/10/95, 1/9/96, 1/11/97, 11/1/00 effective 8/1/01, 4/26/01, 4/28/05 effective 8/1/05, 4/27/06 effective 10/15/06, 12/15/06, 4/27/07 effective 8/1/08, 4/29/10 effective 8/1/10, 4/22/11, 4/28/21 applicable to transfer student-athletes seeking eligibility during the 2021-22 academic year and thereafter, 8/31/22 Immediate; applicable to transfer student-athletes seeking eligibility during the 2023-24 academic year and thereafter., 9/21/22, 10/5/22)

(a) The student has not transferred previously from one four-year institution unless, in the previous transfer, the student-athlete received an exception per Bylaw 14.5.5.2.6 (discontinued/nonsponsored sport exception);

(b) At the time of transfer to the certifying institution (see Bylaw 14.5.2), the student would have been academically eligible had the student remained at the institution from which the student transferred, except that the student is not required to have fulfilled the necessary percentage-of-degree requirements at the previous institution;

(c) The head coach of the certifying institution and the student shall certify that no athletics staff member or other representative of the institution’s athletics interest communicated or made contact with the student-athlete, or any individual associated with the student (e.g., family member, scholastic or nonscholastic coach, advisor), directly or indirectly, without first obtaining authorization through the notification of transfer process (see Bylaw 13.1.1.3); and

(d) An undergraduate student must have provided written notification of transfer to the institution during a period specified for the applicable sport in Bylaw 13.1.1.3.1; and

(e) A student-athlete who will participate as postgraduate student at another institution must provide written notification of transfer to the institution by the following dates:

(1) Fall and winter sports: May 1, or by the end of the final period specified for the applicable sport in Bylaw 13.1.1.3.1, whichever occurs later.

(2) Spring sports: July 1, or by the end of the final period specified for the applicable sport in Bylaw 13.1.1.3.1, whichever occurs later.

14.5.5.2.10.1.1 Fall and Winter Sports. A student-athlete who participates in a fall or winter sport may provide written notification of transfer after May 1, or by the end of the final period specified for the applicable sport in Bylaw 13.1.1.3.1, whichever occurs later, if either of the following occur on or before July 1 of the same academic year: (Adopted: 9/21/22, Revised: 10/5/22)

(a) The student-athlete's athletics aid is reduced, canceled or not renewed (except as permitted per Bylaws 15.3.4.2 or 15.3.5.1); or

(b) The head coach of the student-athlete's team departs or announces departure from the institution.

14.5.5.2.10.1.2 Midyear Enrollees. A student-athlete who will enroll as a postgraduate student at another Division I institution at midyear is not required to have provided notification of transfer to the institution by the notification deadline in the previous academic year. (Adopted: 9/21/22)

14.5.5.2.10.2 Nonrecruited Student. A student-athlete who does not qualify for the exception due to Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10-(a) may use the one-time transfer exception, provided he or she was not recruited by the original four-year institution and has never received institutional athletically related financial aid from any four-year institution. (Adopted: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/06)

14.5.5.2.11 Head Coach Departure Prior to Initial Full-Time Enrollment Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year institution and the following conditions are met: (Adopted: 5/1/19 effective 8/1/19)

(a) The student has not previously enrolled as a full-time student in a regular term (semester or quarter) of a collegiate institution (see Bylaw 12.8.1.1); and

(b) The head coach at the student's previous institution left the institution after the student met a condition affecting transfer status (see Bylaw 14.5.2) and before the start of the next regular academic term (e.g., fall semester).

14.5.5.3 Competition in Year of Transfer. A transfer student from a four-year institution who has received a waiver of or qualifies for an exception to the transfer residence requirement (per Bylaw 14.5.5.2) shall not be eligible for competition in which the student-athlete's performance could be used for NCAA championship qualification or consideration if the student-athlete participated in competition at the previous four-year institution in the same sport in which the student-athlete's performance could have been used for NCAA championship qualification or consideration. (Adopted: 1/10/95 effective 8/1/95, Revised: 1/14/97 effective 8/1/97, 4/29/04 effective 8/1/04, 5/1/19 effective 8/1/19)

14.5.5.3.1 Receipt of Athletically Related Financial Aid in Year of Transfer -- Tennis. In tennis, in addition to the application of Bylaw 14.5.5.3, a transfer student from a four-year institution who enrolls at the certifying institution as a full-time student after the conclusion of the first term of the academic year and qualifies for an exception to the one-year residence requirement shall not be eligible for competition until the following academic year if the student has received athletically related financial aid during the same academic year from the previous four-year institution. (Adopted: 1/17/09 effective 8/1/10, Revised: 1/16/10 effective 8/1/10, 5/1/19 effective 8/1/19)

14.5.5.4 Eligibility for Institutional Athletically Related Financial Aid. A transfer student from a four-year institution may receive institutional athletically related financial aid during his or her first academic year at the certifying institution only if he or she would have been academically eligible to compete during the next regular academic term had the student-athlete remained at the previous institution. A student-athlete who transfers from a four-year institution to a two-year institution and then to the certifying institution shall complete at least one regular academic term of enrollment at the two-year institution to be eligible for institutional athletically related financial aid at the certifying institution. (Adopted: 1/9/06 effective 8/1/07, Revised: 1/8/07 effective 8/1/07)

14.5.5.4.1 Exceptions. A four-year transfer student-athlete may receive institutional athletically related financial aid during his or her first academic year at the certifying institution, provided: (Adopted: 9/18/07)

(a) The student-athlete transferred from a four-year institution that did not sponsor the student-athlete's sport on the intercollegiate level while he or she was in attendance and the student did not previously transfer from any other collegiate institution that offered intercollegiate competition in the sport; or

(b) The student-athlete has not participated in intercollegiate competition and has not engaged in other countable athletically related activities in the sport beyond a 14-consecutive-day period.