NCAA Revises Freshman Eligibility Requirements for 2020 High School Grads

The NCAA has revised the 2020 Freshman Eligibility requirements in light of the impact of COVID-19 on current high school seniors.

These changes are in place only for 2020 high school graduates whose high schools either moved to online instruction or closed down classes for the spring semester. Another factor is the cancellation of ACT and SAT testing opportunities.

The following is a summary of the key factors that will trigger an “automatic waiver” by the NCAA.

Division I:

For 2020 HS Grads to be fully eligible and classified as a Qualifier:

  • Must have earned a 2.30 or higher GPA in 10 or more approved core courses PRIOR TO the athlete’s senior year.
  • Those core courses must include at least 7 courses in the subject areas of English, math and science.
  • Also, no ACT or SAT score will be required.

What about students who don’t satisfy the requirement for at least 10 core courses with at least 7 of those in the required subject areas earned prior to senior year?

  • Those students will be able to use courses completed during senior year as well as this summer, if necessary, to achieve the regular standard requirement of 16 total core courses.
  • Also, any students who are having courses graded as “Pass/Fail” this spring will be able to utilize those courses to achieve Qualifier status.

Division II:

For 2020 HS Grads to be fully eligible and classified as a Qualifier:

  • Must have earned a 2.20 or higher GPA in 10 or more approved core courses PRIOR TO the athlete’s senior year.
  • Also, no ACT or SAT score will be required.

What about students who don’t satisfy the requirement for at least 10 core courses prior to senior year?

  • Those students will be able to use courses completed during senior year as well as this summer, if necessary, to achieve the regular standard requirement of 16 total core courses.
  • Also, any students who are having courses graded as “Pass/Fail” this spring will be able to utilize those courses to achieve Qualifier status.

International Students:

International students with an expected Spring/Summer 2020 graduation date will be fully eligible:

  • By earning 10 or more approved core courses PRIOR TO the athlete’s senior year as long as they have a 2.30 GPA for Division I or 2.20 for Division II.
  • No ACT or SAT score will be required.

However, this adjustment will only apply automatically for international students who are presenting ONLY international academic credentials to the NCAA Eligibility Center. International students who came to the U.S. and were enrolled in a high school here, or who have taken class through a U.S. online school, are NOT included in this scenario.

What about International students who don’t satisfy the requirement for at least 10 core courses prior to senior year or who took courses through some U.S. schools?

  • Students will be able to use courses completed during senior year to achieve the regular standard requirement of earning 16 total core courses.

If you have questions about how these adjustments may impact your student-athlete, purchase and schedule an Eligibility Issues Consult online, or send an email to rick@informedathlete.com.

/by