A new waiver passed by the NCAA’s Division I Council will make student-athlete transfers in all sports immediately eligible to play for new teams.

According to the ruling, the blanket waiver will apply to all student-athletes who’ve already transferred. Those who plan to in the future but haven’t aren’t covered.

Under normal circumstances, student-athletes would need to wait as much as a full calendar year before becoming eligible to compete.

“We are thrilled at the passing of the blanket waiver as we believe it is in line with DI SAAC, ensuring that all of our student-athletes have the best opportunity to thrive both academically and athletically,” said Caroline Lee, vice chair of the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

A blanket waiver gets passed when there are “specific extenuating circumstances that have a reasonably demonstrated widespread impact.” Leee said the coronavirus pandemic’s impact fit the criteria for the waiver.

“In a time of great uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we feel it is in our best interest to grant immediate eligibility for those who have transferred in order to best support their mental health and well-being,” Lee said.