Transferring as a college athlete can be stressful but there are many good reasons for athletes to do so. Maybe your coach is toxic, the school isn't living up to your academic standards, or a family emergency makes living closer to home more appealing. Whatever the reason, if you're looking to transfer and want to know a bit more about the process, we've compiled a rough four-step guide of the first steps to help you streamline the process.

Related: Want to Switch Schools? Here are 5 Common Questions About the Transfer Process to Help You Out

Determine Your Eligibility Status

If you want to transfer from one four-year institution to another, your process would fall under the 4-4 category. Before doing anything, you should determine if you are eligible to transfer to another institution and play a sport there. In order to do so, you must visit the NCAA website or the NAIA website, or the website of the governing body you play under, and look over their listed transfer eligibility requirements. In doing this step, be sure to consider your scholarship if you have received one and look into how it will be impacted by your considered transfer.

Get Permission

When you complete this first step and decide you do want to transfer and you are eligible to transfer, it is most important that you obtain permission to contact other schools from your original school. Another school may not recruit you until you have followed the division-specific steps for the notification of transfer (Division I and II) or written permission to contact (Division III). After receiving permission to contact other schools from your athletic director, be sure your information is entered into the Transfer Portal. After notifying your athletic director about your desire to transfer and asking for permission to communicate with other colleges, it is your athletic director's responsibility to enter your name into the Transfer Portal database within two business days. 

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Check Your NLI

If you signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) and are looking to transfer before the end of your freshman year, you will have to get a release from the NLI. If you do not do so, the NLI prevents other schools from recruiting you and introduces a penalty for not attending your current school for a full academic year. If you don't follow the NLI and look to enroll in a different school, you may lose a year of eligibility in all sports and may not compete for a year. To get this release, use the form on the NLI website. If you need to fill out this form, be sure to send a copy after it is completed to your school's athletic department and to the NLI offices at the NCAA eligibility center.

Prep Your Academic Information

When transferring, you should be sure to have your academic information ready. This includes your official transcript, unofficial transcript, current class schedule, high school information, and any other information regarding your academic status and your eligibility. If you had to redshirt or take time off due to medical reasons, be sure to have this information on standby as well. The school you are transferring to may need this information before accepting you.

Transferring can be complicated but sometimes it's necessary. With these tips in mind, you should be able to do so with confidence.

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* Originally published on August 2, 2022, by Annie Welch