The Gophers do have a scholarship available immediately for a transfer (presumably at the Semester break). Jarvis does not count towards the Gophers 13 basketball scholarships.
If Elijah wanted to be a Gopher, and the Gophers wanted Elijah, a scholarship wouldn't be an issue for this season. When a scholarship does become an issue is next year where the Gophers have just two graduating players, but three kids signed to LOI's. In that sense they've already used the "Jarvis scholly" for the 2016 season.
You don't have to go back very far in Gopher history to remember a point where they appeared to have 14 guys for 13 scholarships. This last occurred with Trevor Mbakwe getting a 6th year...and Chip Armelin subsequently transferring to Southern Mississippi. If Elijah Thomas ends up on the Gopher roster this year, then you will see a similar situation play out as it did with Mbakwe/Armelin.