NCAA dramatically reducing freshman eligibility standards amid coronavirus

The NCAA announced on Friday substantial changes to academic requirements for incoming freshman athletes during the 2020-21 school year due to school closures related to the coronavirus outbreak.

For instance, Division I freshman athletes will not be required to submit ACT or SAT scores, according to USA Today.

The NCAA will also disregard academic performance as long as incoming freshman athletes earned at least a 2.3 grade-point average in 10 core courses approved by the association, seven of which must involve English, science or math.

The association is taking these measures to counter testing and grading impedances caused by the coronavirus, as many schools have switched to pass/fail grading and SAT/ACT exams have been reportedly been canceled.

High school graduates seeking to be collegiate athletes can also omit submissions of final transcripts.

The NCAA Division I Academic Committee said in a statement that it “reviewed initial-eligibility data and determined the NCAA would offer flexibility for incoming student-athletes based on research, fairness, equity, and a standard of college readiness.”

Athletes who started their senior year of high school with a GPA lower than 2.3 will have the option for letter grades earned in other terms to be considered, according to the NCAA initial-eligibility staff.

Concerning spring and summer 2020 semesters, a “pass” grade will be recognized as 2.3 grade points if it results in increasing a student’s GPA. 

Students can also transfer previous letter grades from other terms if 2.3 grade points from a “pass” lowered a student’s GPA.

Seniors will be permitted to complete multiple classes during the summer. Previously, students could only participate in one course during the vacation months.