Eligibility

A transfer student is a student who discontinues enrollment and attendance in any high school, public or non-public, and enrolls in any other high school in Minnesota, or outside of Minnesota.  A transfer occurs anytime a student’s school of record changes. A transfer is considered complete when the student attends class or participates with an athletic program at the new school. This includes home schools, charter schools, and online schools.

If you transfer to a new high school, you will be eligible for varsity athletic competition if: (always check with the sending or receiving school activities administrators)

1. You are enrolling in 9th grade for the first time;

2. Your entire family moves to a new residence in a different attendance area;

3. Your residence is changed pursuant to a court order;

4. Your parents are divorced or separated and you move from one parent to another.  (This option may be used just one time after you enroll in 9th grade); or

5. You and your family have moved to Minnesota from another state or country.

If none of the above apply, you will be ineligible (for one calendar year from the date of the transfer) from participating in interscholastic varsity athletic competition. You will, however, be eligible to participate in varsity tryouts, practices, scrimmages, jamborees, etc., and non-varsity (JV, B-squad, etc.) competitions. You will not be eligible for varsity competition.

If none of the five provisions set forth above apply and you are determined ineligible, you can request that the MSHSL review the determination of ineligibility.

There are seven circumstances with which you can request a review:

1. You are transferred to a new high school within the same school district;

2. A change in family circumstances such as adoption, abandonment, or death of a parent.

3. A substantial negative change in your family’s economic status. For example, if one or both parent(s) loses their job or other means of income.

4. School student Bullying or Harassment as identified in Minnesota State Statutes 121A.03 and 121A.031.

5. Administrative error. For example, the receiving school misapplied MSHSL bylaws or policies.

6. You have completed a licensed program for chemical dependency or mental health (provided all other eligibility rules are followed) and the receiving school will better serve the student’s needs.

7. The principals and activities directors from both the sending and receiving schools agree that circumstances exist which warrant a review of varsity eligibility by the MSHSL.

When you enrolled at your new school [receiving school] and indicated an interest in participating in athletics, the school compiled information and submitted a student transfer report to the MSHSL.  The transfer report contains general information on your previous school(s) and the reason for your transfer. Based on this information, the receiving school makes an initial eligibility determination. That determination is sent to the MSHSL for review to ensure compliance with MSHSL bylaws and policies.

If you are determined ineligible, you can request further review by the MSHSL. Visit with the athletic director at the Receiving School and request a Transfer Eligibility Review. The athletic director will submit the request and supporting documentation to the League for review.

All denied Transfer Eligibility Review requests for varsity competition eligibility will be reviewed by the MSHSL Board of Directors Eligibility Committee for further review or referral to an Independent Reviewer.

Ultimately, the final decisions on eligibility will be made by the MSHSL Board of Directors.

You should provide a bulleted written explanation and documentation supporting your request for review according to the documentation requirements according to Bylaw 111.  This is your opportunity to support your request for eligibility so please submit whatever relevant documentation/information you have. Below are common types of documentation the MSHSL looks for under each of the seven review options:

1. Internal district policies (for transfers in districts with multiple high schools)

• The district policy or policies that precipitated the transfer

• Correspondence from the school district describing the circumstances of the transfer

2. Adoption, abandonment, or death of a parent

• Court ordered adoption decree, documentation from state agency regarding abandonment or child protection (CHIPS)

3. Substantial negative change in the economic status

• The MSHSL typically considers three years of tax returns showing a negative change in the Adjusted Gross Income.

• You are encouraged to submit any other documentation showing a negative change in economic status. For example, employer notification indicating the recent loss of income or loss of employment, disability determinations from a medical professional or government agency that indicate a reduction in the ability to be employed.

• Discretionary spending decisions will generally not be considered.

4. School Bullying/Harassment

• Documentation that a complaint was made under the district policy prior to the transfer.

• A report from the sending school that it has investigated and determined a case of bullying or harassment pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 121A.03 and 121A.031.

• Any other documentation of bullying or harassment at the sending school.

5. Administrative Error

• Documentation from a school administrator explaining the error or errors made in the initial eligibility determination process.

6. Completion of a licensed program for treatment of chemical dependency or diagnosed mental health disorder.

• Documentation from the director of the treatment program indicating successful completion of the treatment program by the student.

• Documentation to show the receiving school provides specific aftercare for the student.

7. School Administrators Request for review.

• ​​​​​The Receiving School principal and activities director and the Sending School principal and activities director together may submit a written request to the MSHSL that circumstances exist which warrant a review of varsity eligibility by the MSHSL.  

• The written request from the administrators at both the Receiving School and the Sending School must include documentation of the circumstances that justify additional review.

• Circumstances NOT justifying additional review include but are not limited to:

1. School choice, family choice, curricular choice or co-curricular offerings at the Receiving School;
2. Sibling preference or attendance:
3. Athletic opportunities offered and/or levels of athletic competition offered at the Receiving School;
4. Transportation reasons. 

• This transfer eligibility review exception is applicable only for students who transfer from one MSHSL member school to another MSHSL member school.

The eligibility committee meets the first and third weeks of each month during the school year to conduct transfer eligibility reviews. Your review will be scheduled at the first meeting following your completed request.

Yes, if your review meets the documentation requirements and is moved to the Eligibility Committee.  The eligibility committee will review all of your information/documentation prior to the meeting and you will have an additional 15 minutes to speak and answer any questions they may have.

The eligibility committee may recommend to the entire Board of Directors varsity eligibility, varsity ineligibility, or, in some circumstances, ask for additional information.