HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WGNS) – In a move aimed at streamlining eligibility decisions ahead of the upcoming school year, the TSSAA Board of Control voted unanimously on Wednesday (June 18th) to allow earlier submission and processing of transfer forms and hardship applications for fall sports.
During a specially called meeting, the Board approved a change permitting schools to submit transfer paperwork beginning July 14, 2025—a notable shift from previous policy.
Under existing rules, the TSSAA state office had to wait until a student participated in at least three days of practice after the first official practice date before processing transfer forms, unless the student had completed the previous school year at their new school. This policy often resulted in a backlog of transfer requests, delaying eligibility determinations at a crucial time for athletic programs.
With Wednesday’s decision, transfer forms can now be processed proactively, helping both students and schools better prepare for the fall sports season.
TSSAA officials say the change is expected to ease administrative bottlenecks and provide more clarity for coaches, student-athletes, and families navigating school transitions over the summer.
The policy adjustment applies only to fall sports and is effective for the 2025–2026 school year.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WGNS) – The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has scheduled a special-called Board of Control meeting for Wednesday (June 18th) at 2:00 p.m. CT to address key issues surrounding transfer eligibility and the timing of transfer form submissions for the upcoming school year.
At the heart of the discussion is how and when transfer forms and hardship applications are processed—particularly during the summer months leading up to the fall sports season. Under current procedures, TSSAA relies on the bylaws' definition of enrollment, which restricts processing these requests until after a student has completed at least three days of practice at their new school. This applies if the student did not finish the prior school year at the new institution.
As a result, many transfer forms submitted during the summer remain unprocessed until after the official fall practice period begins. The Board will consider revising this approach to allow rulings on transfers and hardship applications immediately following the TSSAA-mandated Dead Period, potentially streamlining the eligibility process for student-athletes and schools.
Further details, including access to the live stream of the meeting, can be found on the TSSAA Meetings page.
