The Big Ten Conference has proposed to the NCAA that student-athletes receive full-cost scholarships — covering the full cost of attending a given university — and that the scholarships are nonexpiring once offered, regardless of a student-athlete's ability to participate in sports.

It was an expected move by the conference, which has been supporting the full-cost movement and the recently approved "Power 5 conference" structure for some time.

In a statement Tuesday, the conference wrote:

The Big Ten will work to implement the following proposals through individual institutional action, conference-wide action or under the NCAA autonomy governance structure:

• Cost of Education: Redefine full grant-in-aid to meet a student-athlete's cost of education, as determined by the federal government.

• Multi-Year Scholarships: Guarantee all scholarships. If a student-athlete is no longer able to compete, for whatever reason, there should be no impact on institutions' commitment to deliver an undergraduate education.

• Lifetime Educational Commitment: Ensure that scholarships are available for life. If a student-athlete leaves a university for a professional career before graduating, whether the career materializes, and regardless of its length, the scholarship will be honored after his or her playing days are complete.

• Medical Insurance: Provide improved, consistent medical insurance for student-athletes.

The Big Ten wrote that it will also move to address the health and safety of student-athletes, time demands and improved academic support.

"We look forward to working with the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC through the NCAA autonomy governance structure toward adoption and implementation of these proposals," the statement said.

The University of Minnesota has been in step with the Big Ten since the Power 5 autonomy vote took place.

"We are extremely pleased the Division I Board of Directors has approved a structure that allows more freedom in addressing issues related to our student-athletes and providing them with the support needed to perform in the classroom, in their respective sports and later in life," athletic director Norwood Teague said in an August statement. "We look forward to working with our Big Ten and NCAA partners in determining how best to do this as we enter a period of dynamic change and transformation for the NCAA."