Sources & method

Everything here is grounded in the NCAA's own announcement and primary reporting from the day the rule was adopted (June 23, 2026). We state only what those sources support and flag where details may change.

• NCAA.org — Division I adopts age-based eligibility model
• NCAA.org — Age-Based Eligibility Rules: Eligibility 101
• ESPN — Division I Cabinet OKs 5-year, age-based eligibility
• CBS Sports — NCAA approves age-based five-year eligibility rule

How the checker computes

We start the five-year clock at the earlier of your first full-time enrollment or the academic year following your 19th birthday, count seasons already competed, and (for current/2026 athletes) compare the old four-in-five result with the new five-year window, returning the more favorable. We do not model the military / mission / pregnancy pauses or every international pathway — those are flagged, not calculated.

Independent and not affiliated with the NCAA. This is educational information, not an eligibility ruling.