The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model can give some Division I athletes a fifth season of eligibility. A federal injunction out of Colorado added another layer to the eligibility rules, extending eligibility to certain athletes who began competing in 2022-23. The NCAA has appealed that ruling, so eligibility rules for some athletes remain unsettled.

Being eligible to play doesn’t mean you have a roster spot, a scholarship, or an NIL deal waiting for you. Those are three separate questions, and each one needs its own answer before you commit to another year or enter the transfer portal.

Work through these before you decide.

Is Your Roster Spot Real or Assumed?

Coaches say a lot during recruiting conversations. Not all of it is binding.

  • Do you have a roster spot in writing, or was it mentioned in a conversation?
  • Has the coaching staff changed, or could it change before next season?
  • How many transfers or incoming recruits are competing for your position?
  • If someone else stays or leaves, does that change your offer?

If the answer to any of these is “I’m not sure,” get it in writing before you make a decision you can’t take back.

Does Your Athletic Scholarship Renew for a Fifth Year?

Eligibility and financial aid are decided separately. A fifth year of eligibility doesn’t automatically mean a fifth year of funding.

Question

Consider
Does my scholarship renew automatically or require a new offer? Some programs treat year five as a fresh aid decision
Will the amount or terms change? Athletic aid can be reduced even when eligibility continues
Is graduate tuition covered if I’m pursuing a degree? Grad program costs aren’t always bundled into athletic aid
Do housing, meals, and medical benefits continue? These often get renegotiated year to year
What are my appeal rights if aid is cut? Know this before you need it

What Happens to Your NIL Deal If You Transfer or Return?

This is where a lot of athletes get caught off guard.

Before you sign anything new, or assume an existing deal carries forward, check these three things in the contract itself:

  • Termination triggers. Does the deal end automatically if you transfer, lose your roster spot, or don’t play a minimum number of games? Some contracts tie payment to on-field participation, not just enrollment.
  • Exclusivity terms. If you switch schools, does your current deal restrict you from signing with a new collective or local sponsor at your new program?
  • Payment structure. Is compensation front-loaded, or paid out across the season? A deal that pays per-game or per-appearance looks very different if your playing time isn’t guaranteed.

If your existing deal doesn’t address what happens if you transfer or your playing time is reduced, that’s a gap in the contract. Get it resolved before your situation changes, not after.

What do you give up by staying?

A fifth year can mean finishing a degree or picking up a graduate credential. It can also mean a delayed start on a career, a professional contract, licensing exams, or other plans you’d already made.

Before you stay, ask yourself one question: Does staying get you closer to what you want, or are you putting off a decision you already need to make?

Transfer Portal and Eligibility: What’s Actually Confirmed?

Being in the portal does not mean you have a new roster spot. And if more athletes have extra eligibility, you could be competing with more players for fewer spots.

  • Has a new school made a concrete offer, or expressed interest?
  • What’s your deadline to commit, and what happens if nothing materializes?
  • Do your credits transfer toward your degree at the new school?
  • Does the new school have its own roster limits or admission requirements that could affect you?

If you’re a high school recruit, this affects you too

Returning fifth-year athletes can occupy roster spots and scholarship money that would otherwise go to incoming freshmen. If you’re being recruited right now, ask the program directly:

  • How many players on the roster could come back for another season?
  • How many roster spots are actually open?
  • Is my spot dependent on another player leaving or choosing not to return?
  • How much scholarship and revenue-sharing money is available for returning players versus incoming athletes?

NCAA Fifth-Year Eligibility: What to Confirm Before You Commit

An extra year of eligibility gives you another option. It does not guarantee a roster spot, financial aid, or another NIL deal.

Before you commit to a fifth year, get those terms in writing. Know what you’re getting before you make the decision.

If you’re considering a fifth year or a transfer, check your current NIL contract first. If you’re not sure how an eligibility change affects your deal, K Altman Law’s NIL and student-athlete team can review your situation with you. Schedule a consultation today.