How NCAA Eligibility Appeals Actually Work (And What Most Athletes Get Wrong)
Conflicting advice about an NCAA eligibility appeal can cost real games, scholarship opportunities, and transfer timing. The biggest misconception is thinking the athlete “appeals to the NCAA” directly. Rather, the school has to manage the process. Which is one of the reasons, why you need support in gathering the materials to support, and ultimately making, your case.
What “appeal” usually means
In many situations, what families call an “appeal” is actually a student-athlete reinstatement request (or NCAA waiver request) submitted by the institution, not a form the athlete personally files. The NCAA’s process is built around member schools using the Requests/Self-Reports Online system (RSRO) to submit reinstatement requests on a student-athlete’s behalf.
That matters because the quality of the school’s submission, including facts, documents, timing, and how the story is framed, often determines whether the NCAA can even evaluate the request efficiently. The NCAA also notes a student-athlete may be represented by legal counsel during the reinstatement process, even though counsel is not required.
The real workflow (step-by-step)
Here’s the typical NCAA reinstatement process in plain terms:
Scenario 1) School discovers an NCAA issue/violation affecting eligibility → school declares the athlete ineligible → school may submit a reinstatement/waiver request through RSRO → NCAA reinstatement staff issues an initial decision. Scenario 2) Athlete believes they may have additional eligibility remaining → alerts RSRO → school may submit a reinstatement/waiver request through RSRO → NCAA reinstatement staff issues an initial decision
If the decision doesn’t go your way, the school can pursue the formal appeal path: reinstatement staff decisions may be appealed to the appropriate Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement through RSRO. Or you can file suit and seek a Temporary Restraining Order until a case is decided.
A key deadline gets missed more than you’d think: the NCAA states the appeal must be requested in RSRO within 30 calendar days from when the reinstatement staff sends the decision through RSRO (after that, the case is automatically closed).
The NCAA explains that timelines vary with complexity, but once all information is submitted via RSRO and the facts are complete, an initial decision often takes approximately a week.
Example scenario: A school submits a thin reinstatement request with missing records and unresolved factual disputes, and the request stalls or is denied because the file doesn’t support the argument. When the record is organized (clear timeline, clean documentation, consistent messaging), the NCAA has what it needs to evaluate the request on its merits.
Practical tips we give athletes and families early:
Develop a personal narrative of the situation, including specific details of the issue along with how this issue has affected them mentally and physically.
Build a one-page timeline (dates, classes, practices/competition, injuries, communications).
Preserve emails/texts with coaches and the compliance office; avoid “informal” summaries.
Gather transcripts, enrollment history, and progress-toward-degree documentation.
For medical issues, collect diagnosis, treatment notes, and participation limitations in writing.
Do not post about the case on social media; it can create contradictions and distractions.
Ask who at the school owns RSRO submission and deadlines, then confirm next steps in writing.
Make sure disputes of fact and interpretive issues are resolved before filing, because incomplete or unresolved items can delay processing.
If you’re facing eligibility reinstatement, a hardship waiver, or transfer eligibility questions, Christine Brown & Partners has extensive experience with NCAA transfer and eligibility matters. Contact us today with your questions for personalized legal guidance.
