My school has no team. Can I play for a nearby college instead?

Not on your own. Every player's eligibility must apply at the same college or university. The USA Ultimate Consortium Program is the only way to play for a team from a school you don't attend.

How a consortium works under the 2027 guidelines:

• The schools (not individual players) submit one joint application to coll_elig_comm@usaultimate.org by December 31 of the year before they want to compete together (December 31, 2026 for the 2027 season).
• At minimum there must be a current, formal academic relationship between the schools, such as dual degrees or cross-enrollment. Shared athletics, facilities and student services also count in favor.
• Applications are judged case by case against an "extremely high standard"; meeting several criteria doesn't guarantee approval.
• Approved consortiums are usually granted for two years. Some long-established ones are "standing" consortiums, and "growth" consortiums may be granted to help build new or women's division programs.
• A school can withdraw by writing to USA Ultimate by February 15 of the season it wants to compete separately.