The NAIA membership has officially approved a fifth year of eligibility for student-athletes beginning in Fall 2027, replacing the previous four-year limit.

The new rules link the fifth year directly to academic progress rather than age. Unlike the NCAA's age-based "clock model," the NAIA's five years of eligibility do not have to be completed continuously. Instead, student-athletes have 5 seasons of competition to use across their existing limit of 10 semesters (or 15 quarters) of full-time study, allowing them to take time away from school or enrol part-time without burning eligibility time.

Watch the official NAIA video above for the full breakdown.