NCAA Eligibility Center

COVID, Test Scores and More

Ensuring Your Players Understand Current Requirements and Monitor for Future Changes to the NCAA Eligibility Center.

As the end of another challenging year closes and 2022 races toward us, the NCAA Eligibility Center continues to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and other proposed changes to the pre-enrollment space for student-athletes . Please ensure your student-athletes and their families are aware of and understand the current landscape and monitor over the coming months for additional changes and more information .

COVID-19 Waiver and Test Score Requirements

The Eligibility Center initially introduced the COVID-19 Waiver in the spring of 2020 . Since then, this waiver was extended to include student-athletes enrolling in an NCAA Division I or II school during the 2021-22 or 2022-2023 academic year . (For additional information on the Eligibility Center’s COVID-19 Waiver, visit on .ncaa .com/COVID19_Fall2022 . The most significant part of this waiver is the exclusion of a standardized test score as part of the certification process. As a reminder: Students may benefit from taking the SAT or ACT in order to qualify for scholarships that require a standardized test score . Additionally, while the NCAA does not require an SAT/ACT score for students enrolling during the impacted academic years, the school recruiting them may require it as part of their enrollment and acceptance policies . Please encourage your student-athlete to discuss the standardized test score need with their recruiting NCAA school . As for other enrollment classes, such as student-athletes planning to enroll in an NCAA Division I or II for the first time in the 2023-24 year (your current juniors), no decision has been made at this time by the Eligibility Center regarding a test score requirement for this class .

Test Score Task Force

In October of 2021, the NCAA Standardized Test Score Task Force recommended that initial-eligibility standards for high school students preparing to play Division I or II sports no longer include a standardized test score requirement . The recommendation comes after nearly six months of work by a group representing both divisions and led by David Wilson, president at Morgan State . The task force was formed as a result of the NCAA’s eightpoint plan to advance racial equity . Reviewing initial-eligibility requirements, particularly the SAT/ACT score component, was a significant part of that plan. The Division I Committee on Academics and Division II Academic Requirements Committee will consider the recommendation at their next meetings in February 2022 . Any potential changes to initial-eligibility requirements must be reviewed through the legislative process in each division .

Constitutional Convention

In November, more than 2,500 representatives from NCAA conferences and schools across all three divisions discussed and provided feedback on a draft constitution at a virtual Special Convention . Based on input from this historic Special Convention, the 28-member Constitution Committee (comprising conference and school representatives from all three divisions) revised the draft constitution and provided another opportunity for membership feedback in midDecember . After the presentation of this new constitution, members will have opportunities to submit additional changes following current Association rules . This culminates in membership votes on the new constitution, which must receive two-thirds majority to pass during the 2022 Convention later this month in Indianapolis . In the months after the 2022 Convention, each division will adopt additional changes to be effective Aug . 1 for the following school year, with more changes expected after that date . Sign up for a follow the EC’s Coaches newsletter for the latest information .

What does this mean for your athletes?

For current student-athletes planning to graduate during the 2021-22 academic year, the standards for academic and amateurism certification are only impacted by the Eligibility Center’s Covid-19 Waiver . Any changes voted on by the NCAA membership this month at the 2022 Convention would impact future classes . The best thing you, as their coach and mentor, can do for your students now is to encourage them to understand—and meet--the current initial-eligibility standards . While changes may be in the works, one thing will stay constant: Academic achievement will continue to provide opportunities! For students enrolling in a Division I or II school during the 202122 or 2022-23 academic years, visit on .ncaa .com/COVID19_ Fall2022 . For students enrolling in a Division I or II school after 2022-23 academic years, visit on .ncaa .com/IE_Flyer .