UC system temporarily eases admissions requirements amid coronavirus pandemic

The University of California Board of Regents decided to temporarily adjust admissions requirements to help students and parents during the coronavirus emergency.

The measures include suspending the letter grade requirement for academic classes taken this school year for both prospective and admitted students. UC officials are also providing flexibility for students who need more time to meet registration, deposit and transcript deadlines.

They're also suspending the standardized test requirement (SAT and ACT) for students applying for admission as freshmen for fall 2021. 

The university also expects to work with admitted students to adjust financial aid packages if family financial circumstances have suddenly changed.

On Wednesday, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced new guidance on grading and graduation for seniors.

"We are thinking of our seniors and the impact that the current COVID-19 public health emergency and subsequent physical closure of schools has had on them, and we hope that this guidance will help relieve some stress and anxiety,” said Thurmond.

Colleges have agreed to accept credit/no-credit or pass/fail grading where districts have decided to use it for A-G courses and other courses without impact on grade point averages.

California is also extending flexibility on a wide range of issues, including testing requirements, timing of transcripts, and considerations about financial aid.

More information from the sate is on the grades and graduation guidance document as well as more school information and resources regarding coronavirus on the CDE’s COVID-19 web page.