Athletes Can Now Transfer Without Delay Within ACC

The Atlantic Coast Conference Board of Directors has unanimously voted to allow student-athletes to transfer among conference-member schools without any delay in their competitive careers.

Since 1996, ACC Bylaws stated: "A student-athlete who transfers directly from one Member to another Member and who was recruited by the first Member or received any athletically-related financial aid during the academic year immediately prior to the transfer is required to complete one academic year (two full semesters or three full quarters) of residence at the certifying Member before being eligible to compete for the certifying institution. During such a year of residence, the student-athlete is permitted to practice and receive financial aid pursuant to NCAA rules. A transfer student-athlete admitted after the 12th class day may not use that term for the purpose of establishing residence."

That so-called Intraconference Transfer Rule, which included waiver options and exceptions for graduate students, has been eliminated with Monday's announcement, according to the ACC website. 

“The time has come for all student-athletes to have the opportunity to transfer and be permitted to compete immediately,” said ACC commissioner Jim Phillips. “This decision is in the best interest of our student-athletes as it allows greater flexibility during their collegiate career.”