<p>Any NCAA experts out there? If one transfers from a DI to a DII school, how does it work? Are you required to sit out a year? Is the "five years to play four" rule in effect at DII schools? What are the differences between DI and DII rules/recruiting? If you haven't played yet at your DI school, then does that year still count or can you add it to your time at the DII school?</p>
<p>Any and all answers appreciated!</p>
<p>I hope someone who really is an expert can answer this for you. My limited knowledge was acquired this year during my daughter's experience. DI and DII have many similarities, as they're both allowed to give athletic scholarships. The differences (such as total number of scholarships allowed and academic requirements) can be found by searching the NCAA Eligibility site. <a href="https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/%5B/url%5D">https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter/common/</a></p>
<p>My understanding is that when a signed athlete goes to a lower division, the athlete must be released by the institution with whom she signed, and sit out a year at the new school. I don't think it matters how long it takes to use the four years of eligibility, just that four is the maximum.</p>
<p>I think it varies by sport. D1 is definitely 5 to play 4. D2, at least in baseball, is 10 full time semesters to play 4. So you can take a PT semester "off". </p>
<p>The sit out rule also varies by sport. Here is a link to the transfer guide which should help</p>
<p>Thank you for that helpful link!</p>