The NCAA Division III staff has created this bi-weekly communication for the Division III membership to provide up-to-date communications on recent Division III governance meeting discussions and outcomes. Please share this communication with your campus and conference colleagues.

Financial Aid Committee, September 24
Division III membership proposal. The committee reviewed the following membership proposal.

• Eligibility – Criteria for Determining Season of Eligibility – Minimum Amount of Participation – Only Competition Triggering Use of a Season. Intent: To specify that a student-athlete would be charged with a season of eligibility if the student-athlete competes at any point during the traditional season. The committee recommends the Division III Management Council oppose this proposal asserting that the proposed enrollment model is incompatible with standard student financial aid practices at Division III member institutions, Division III Bylaw 15 (Financial Aid) and the Division III Philosophy Statement.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, September 29
2026 NCAA Convention proposals. The committee reviewed the 16 legislative proposals to prepare for Conference feedback sessions. The committee also received a refresher on its legislative role and student-athlete education responsibilities.

Legislative feedback process. Committee members will present the proposals to their conferences, gather positions (support/oppose/abstain), and submit feedback by November 1.

Save the Date – DIII SAAC virtual town hall. Join national SAAC on Monday, Nov. 17 from 8–9 p.m. EST for a virtual town hall. Additional details and a registration link will be shared in the coming weeks.

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Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions. 

Joint Legislative Steering Subcommittee, October 13
2026 NCAA Convention proposals. The subcommittee will review the 2026 proposals and recommend which proposals should be highlighted for presidential consideration and placed in the Presidents Grouping. 

Championships Committee, October 14
Championship bench size. The committee will continue its review of the current championships bench limits and consider recommendations from sport committees for potential implementation effective for 2025-26 championships.

Championships budget priorities. The committee will review the championships and divisional budget priorities in preparation for the future FY27-FY28 budget planning beginning in early 2026.

Meeting frequency. The committee will review a proposal that would amend its meeting frequency to fewer meetings per year to allow for more time to develop supplements and for thoughtful, in-depth preparation for each meeting.

Interpretations and Legislation Committee, October 16
2026 legislative Q&A. The committee will continue to develop the question-and-answer document for the 2026 NCAA Convention proposals. 

Eligibility review. The committee will continue its discussion regarding student coaches and managers, and the eligibility ramifications associated with such responsibilities.

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