The Student Athlete Act of 2026 establishes federal rules governing eligibility and transfers for college athletes competing in intercollegiate sports. The bill grants all student athletes five consecutive years of playing eligibility regardless of injury or other circumstances, overriding current NCAA rules. For transfers, the bill allows athletes to transfer once without penalty, but any subsequent transfers would result in ineligibility for one academic year, while the NCAA is given authority to set the specific windows when athletes can enter the transfer portal. The legislation also requires colleges to honor their original financial aid commitments to student athletes, though schools can still revoke aid if an athlete fails to meet conduct standards. Finally, the bill preempts all state laws that conflict with its provisions, establishing uniform federal standards across all colleges and conferences.
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