Division III Council Delays Decision on Eligibility Proposal

Division III’s Presidents Council declined to take a position on a proposed age-based eligibility model, according to an NCAA announcement on Wednesday, leaving the future uncertain as it continues to review its eligibility rules.

The council said delegates could refer the proposal back to Division III’s governance structure at the 2027 NCAA Convention in January, allowing additional time to study its potential effects and assess similar modifications adopted by Divisions I and II.

Under the proposal, Division III would adopt a new framework for determining a student-athlete’s eligibility timeline.

What to Know About the Division III Eligibility Proposal

Submitted by the American Rivers and Ohio Athletic Conferences, the proposal would replace the current Division III framework — four seasons of competition within 10 full-time semesters or 15 quarters — with a continuous five-year eligibility period.

Under the model, the clock would start when a student-athlete first enrolls full time at a college or at the beginning of the academic year following their 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Limited exceptions would apply, including for pregnancy, military service and religious missions.

Over the summer, Divisions I and II adopted age-based eligibility policies for the 2026-27 academic year, replacing several season-based rules and waiver categories with a more standardized timeline. D3 leaders said they want to examine the impact before deciding whether a similar system fits their membership.

While the D3 Management Council recommended opposing the proposal last week, the Presidents Council’s decision leaves it open for further consideration at the 2027 NCAA Convention in January.

Update on Spring Football Practice Proposal

Meanwhile, the Presidents Council backed a Management Council recommendation to oppose a proposal that would establish a spring practice period for football.

Division III leaders said adjustments to playing seasons should wait until the Division III Analysis Working Group completes a broader assessment of traditional and nontraditional playing seasons. The group has identified eligibility rules, playing and practice seasons, and financial pressures on institutions as priorities in its ongoing work.