Policy

Mid South Transfer Rule

Student-athletes shall not transfer from one member-institution to another without satisfying the transfer policy as defined by the Mid-South Conference. A student-athlete who does transfer shall be bound by the following:

  • A student-athlete who practices and/or competes In a varsity sport at a Mid-South Conference institution shall not be eligible to compete at another Mid-South Conference institution, in any varsity sport, for 365 calendar days;

  • The 365 calendar days must include two standard academic terms (fall/spring). The 365 days begin on the first day after the conclusion of the term in which the student-athlete withdrew or completed classes or the student-athlete's official withdraw date, whichever comes first;

  • Summer terms, inter-terms and all non-terms will not satisfy the two standard term rule;

  • Student-athletes participating in non-varsity programs are not subject to the transfer policy and may be eligible to participate immediately in a non-varsity program assuming they have satisfied all other eligibility and/or transfer requirements;

  • A student-athlete at a member institution may be eligible for an exception to the Transfer Rule provided they meet all of the following criteria:

    • The student-athlete has not competed or participated in any varsity or non-varsity sport at any member institution during the past year (365 days);

    • The student-athlete has not received any athletic-related financial aid from any member institution during the past year (365 days);

    • The student-athlete would have otherwise been eligible to participate on a varsity/non-varsity athletic team and been in good standing as defined by the NAIA and/or the member institution they were identified with during the previous two standard academic terms of attendance:

    • The student-athlete must obtain a release from the member institution they are transferring from, and the request for an exception must come from the member institution they are transferring to.

  • An exception will be granted to student-athletes with eligibility remaining that have completed all academic requirements for graduation, and said student-athletes shall not be subject to the transfer rule unless or until they have become identified/re-identified during a standard term of attendance with the same or another Mid-South Conference member institution as defined by the NAIA:

    • The student-athlete is enrolled in at least 12 institutional credit hours towards an additional major or baccalaureate degree.

    • The student-athlete is enrolled full-time, as defined by the institution, in a fifth-year or post-baccalaureate program.

    • Furthermore, for the purpose of this rule, a student-athlete is considered to be identified/re-identified if they practice or compete prior to the official start of the regular term of attendance in which they become officially identified/re-identified

    • As per NAIA rule, a student-athlete seeking this exception may not be contacted by anyone representing another Institution prior to the S-A's completion of all academic requirements for graduation or until the end of their current season of competition, whichever occurs last.

  • Under other extreme circumstances, a student-athlete may appeal the transfer policy. All appeals of this transfer policy must be made to the Commissioner of the Mid-South Conference. The Commissioner will in turn refer the appeal to the conference Oversight Committee to evaluate the request.

  • This transfer policy shall apply and be in force for new Full and Affiliate Members in all applicable varsity sports immediately upon the date of their acceptance as a member of the Conference.