Page 118 - 2025-26 By-Laws

Rule 19 - Eligibility and Transfer

Q & A
Transfers – First-Time Transfers
Q. 19-1 Can a student who transfers for the first time between IHSAA Member Schools be
immediately eligible for athletic participation?
A. Yes, provided the student transfers during their first six semesters of high school, the
transfer occurs on or before the Start of Practice Date for the sport they wish to participate
in, and the transfer is not the result of undue influence (see rules 20-1 and 20-2, “past
link”). (rule 19-3.2)
Q. 19-2 What happens if a student’s first-time transfer occurs after they have had the opportunity
to participate in three seasons of eligibility in a specific sport?
A. The student will be subject to a Thirty (30) day non-competition period or one-half (½) the
Maximum Number of Contests (whichever is less) in any sport in which they participated
during or after their third season of eligibility in the 365 days prior to the transfer. (rule
19-3.2)
Transfers – Senior Transfers
Q. 19-3 What eligibility applies to a senior who transfers after completing six semesters of high
school enrollment?
A. Seniors who transfer after completing six semesters are not automatically ineligible.
Their eligibility status—full, limited, or ineligible—will be determined based on rules 19
and 20. They are also subject to a Thirty (30) day non-competition period or one-half
(½) the Maximum Number of Contests (whichever is less) in each sport in which they
participated during the 365 days prior to the transfer. (rule 19-3.6)
Transfers – Second or Subsequent Transfers
Q. 19-4 What happens if a student transfers schools for a second or subsequent time?
A. Eligibility will be determined according to rules 19 and 20. If the transfer occurs after the
Start of Practice Date, the student will also be subject to a Thirty (30) day non-competition
period or one-half (½) the Maximum Number of Contests in that sport, whichever is less.
(rule 19-3.3)
Q. 19-5 What if a student, on their second transfer, returns to their original school within one year
of leaving it?
A. If the student returns to the school where they initially established promotion eligibility
within 365 days of enrolling at another school, they will retain full eligibility. (rule 19-3.3(c))
Transfers – General 30-Day Sit-Out Requirement
Q. 19-6 When does the 30-day non-competition period or half-season restriction apply?
A. The 30-day sit-out or one-half (½) the Maximum Number of Contests requirement applies
on a sport-by-sport basis in the following situations:
• A transfer who has previously participated in three seasons of a specific sport
• A transfer that occurs after the official Start of Practice Date for a sport
• A second or subsequent transfer that occurs after the Start of Practice Date for a sport
• Senior transfers who have completed six semesters are subject to the 30-day sit-out
or one-half of the Maximum Number of Contests in each sport they participated in
during the 365 days prior to the transfer, regardless of the sport season timing.
Transfers - Generally
Q. 19-7 Can a student, who receives Limited Eligibility following a transfer without a
parental move, receive full eligibility after the parents later move into the District
or Territory serving the school where the student had transferred?
A. No, unless the student and the student’s parent(s) had previously declared their
intent to move into the School District or Territory at the time the Transfer Report
was submitted. In other words, if a student transfers to School A and states
on the Transfer Report, in good faith, that his/her parents intend to move into
the District or Territory served by School A, then the student will likely receive
Limited Eligibility until such time that the parents move into School A’s District
or Territory, and then at that time, the student can seek full eligibility under 19-5
and 19-5.2. In addition, the student can also attempt to obtain full eligibility

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