Bill · S. 4177· Senate(119-S-4177)
Student Athlete Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/24/2026
- Last activity
- 3/24/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Tommy Tuberville
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Student Athlete Act of 2026 aims to establish specific rules regarding the eligibility of student athletes in intercollegiate athletics. It guarantees that a student athlete will have five consecutive years of eligibility to play, regardless of injuries or other events. The bill also addresses the transfer portal, requiring the National Collegiate Athletic Association to set rules for the process. It creates a specific rule where a student athlete is generally ineligible for competition during the academic year they enter the transfer portal, though an exception is made for an athlete's first transfer. Additionally, the bill requires institutions to honor original grant-in-aid commitments for transferring students. Finally, it prohibits states from enacting laws that conflict with these provisions.
Yes· 3 of 4
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+6
The bill guarantees five consecutive years of athletic eligibility and protects financial aid for student athletes.
Would students be better off under this?+6
The bill provides more stability for student-athletes through guaranteed eligibility years and protected financial aid during transfers.
Does this make college cost less?+5
The bill requires institutions to honor original grant-in-aid commitments for transferring students.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-7
The bill explicitly prohibits states from enacting laws that conflict with its provisions regarding student-athlete eligibility and transfers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Five-Year Eligibility Guarantee: Under Section 3, a student athlete is guaranteed five consecutive years of eligibility to play interscollegiate athletics, which applies regardless of injury or any other event.
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Protection of Grant-in-Aid: According to Section 5, an institution of higher education must honor the original grant-in-aid commitment made to a student athlete when they transfer to a new institution.
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Standardized Transfer Rules: Section 4 mandates that the National Collegiate Athletic Association set forth rules relating to the transfer portal, including the specific periods during which a student athlete can notify their institution of their intent to transfer.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Competition Ineligibility During Transfer: Under Section 4, a student athlete who enters the transfer portal may be ineligible to participate in any athletic competition sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association during that academic year, from the start of the fall semester until the end of the final summer session.
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Loss of Grant-in-Aid for Conduct Issues: Section 5 notes that an institution of higher education is not prohibited from revoking a grant-in-aid if a student athlete or former student athlete does not remain in good standing according to the institution's standards or code of conduct.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For Low Income Households+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights-7
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+5
- 4/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida