Something many families don't know: at New Beginnings USA we don't only work with athletes looking for their first scholarship. We also help athletes who are already studying in the United States — including American athletes — transfer to a program that fits them better.
Why would an athlete who already has a scholarship transfer?
- They want more playing time than they're getting in their current program.
- They want to move up a level — for example, from NJCAA to NCAA or NAIA — or from one division to another within the NCAA.
- There was a coaching change and the new system of play no longer fits their profile.
- They're looking for a better scholarship offer or a different academic program.
How the transfer process works
The process varies by association, but in the NCAA it works like this:
- Written notification: the athlete must formally notify their current university that they want to enter the "transfer portal."
- Entry into the portal: the university has a couple of business days to register the athlete in the system.
- Open contact: once in the portal, any other program can contact the athlete directly — without needing permission from their current university.
- Transfer windows: each sport has specific periods of the year in which you must notify your intent to transfer in order to keep your eligibility to play immediately.
- Immediate eligibility: since 2021, most athletes can transfer and play right away for their new team, without having to "sit out" a season, as long as they meet academic requirements and respect the time windows.
In the NAIA and NJCAA the process is generally simpler and more direct, with fewer time-window restrictions, although it always requires formal coordination between both institutions.
How we help with your transfer
It doesn't matter whether you're an international athlete already in the United States or an American athlete looking for a better place to play: if you're thinking about transferring, let's talk.
See how our process and services work, or get in touch for your free evaluation.
