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It is no secret that the United States is gradually becoming a more than attractive destination for young soccer players. Coaches of American competitions are combing the university market to expand and improve their squads, and getting a scholarship represents a great opportunity for athletes for their future. Without going any further, the United States represents a world reference in professional women’s soccer.
ACADEMICS
In order to be admitted to an American university as a new student you must have completed high school. In addition, the average grade point average from 9th to 12th grade will determine the type of university you will be able to enter under this criterion.
If you are already in college or vocational training, you are also eligible for the scholarship system in the United States, but it is important to take into account the number of credits/years you have completed.
ATHLETICS
Your performance on the field will be a fundamental aspect in determining what type of scholarship you are eligible for.
Depending on your aspirations, your level will determine the alternatives to choose from. Obviously, the higher your level and achievements to date, the better your chances of qualifying for a soccer scholarship in the United States.
If you are part of a team that competes in the highest categories of national soccer, at a semi-professional stage or high level in the youth category (between 16 and 18 years old) the chances of getting a high-value scholarship in the best college teams will multiply. Coaches looking for players of this profile are in NCAA Division I and have the necessary resources, both athletic and academic, so that there is the option of making the leap to professional practice once they finish their studies. Under this criterion, it is possible to obtain scholarships of up to 100%, covering all expenses related to housing, tuition, food and everything related to the sport.
If your profile is not so distinguished, there is nothing to worry about. If you are part of teams that compete at the junior, high amateur or mid-high junior level, there are many NCAA Division II, NAIA, or even NJCAA colleges that allow you to continue playing football at a high level while pursuing a college education through a scholarship. Below this level, it may be more difficult to qualify for a 100% grant, as the investment by universities is more likely to be between $6,000 and $18,000 per year for male players and up to $11,000 for female players. Of course, these estimates cover accommodation, tuition, food and everything else related to the sport.
The great advantage of the US college system is that there are countless options for athletes. Despite not having a high level of sporting ability, you can opt to get a scholarship in the United States.
In these cases, the universities that offer these scholarships are usually prestigious in the academic field and, therefore, you must have a good student profile to access these programmes, as this increases the chances of obtaining an academic scholarship that covers part of the related costs.
Through our Tutoring program, we will help you to be prepared to face these exams.
ENGLISH
Depending on the admission date, you will have to take 1 or 2 tests; the SAT and/or the TOEFL.
The SAT is the university entrance exam, and it is a test that combines English and mathematics.
The TOEFL is a pure English test, mainly focused on international students.
We help you with our Online-tutoring program.
NCAA is the largest collegiate athletic association with the largest number of scholarships among its disciplines. It is composed of 3 different divisions:
Formed by more than 200 large institutions and where the average level of the player is higher, since it represents the previous step to the big professional events. Most of the major universities in the USA belong to this division. To qualify for a scholarship in this division, you must have a high level and versatile profile.
Composed of smaller universities compared to Division I (between 5,000 and 10,000 students enrolled), these are institutions where education is closer and more specialized. The level of the average player is somewhat lower, but still high. However, it is very common for top Division II universities to be able to beat Division I college teams. To qualify for a soccer scholarship in this division, you will need to have such a profile.
Formed by universities that are more defined in terms of academic programs and for which there are no athletic scholarships, but there are academic scholarships and loans. They have competitions, but are not part of such professionalized programs. The level is lower compared to the previous ones, so it is ideal for good students with an acceptable sports profile.
NAIA is a collegiate athletic association made up of more than 300 institutions, which have fewer enrolled students than those belonging to the NCAA and have smaller campuses. However, the requirements are lower and it is made up of universities with high academic and athletic recognition. The level of the average player may be lower when compared to NCAA Division I, although there are very similar cases. In fact, there are some really competitive teams.
Popularly known as Junior College or Community College, these are 2-year academic programs that serve as a stepping stone to college enrollment. At the athletic level, it serves as a showcase for those athletes who found it difficult to be admitted to the NCAA or NAIA.
N. Universities
Máx. Scholars/Team
Avg. Players/Team
NCAA Div. I
N. Universities
205
Máx. Scholars/Team
9.9
Avg. Players/Team
28
NCAA Div. II
N. Universities
206
Máx. Scholars/Team
9
Avg. Players/Team
29
NCAA Div. III
N. Universities
415
Máx. Scholars/Team
–
Avg. Players/Team
29
N. Universities
188
Máx. Scholars/Team
12
Avg. Players/Team
27
NJCAA
N. Universities
217
Máx. Scholars/Team
18
Avg. Players/Team
23
Total
N. Universities
1231
N. Universities
Máx. Scholars/Team
Avg. Players/Team
NCAA Div. I
N. Universities
333
Máx. Scholars/Team
18
Avg. Players/Team
24
NCAA Div. II
N. Universities
265
Máx. Scholars/Team
18
Avg. Players/Team
24
NCAA Div. III
N. Universities
441
Máx. Scholars/Team
–
Avg. Players/Team
.
NAIA
N. Universities
188
Máx. Scholars/Team
12
Avg. Players/Team
–
NJCAA
N. Universities
181
Máx. Scholars/Team
18
Avg. Players/Team
–
Total
N. Universities
1408
It is no secret that the United States is gradually becoming a more than attractive destination for young soccer players. It is a sport that is gaining enormous popularity among American society, a circumstance that has infected the universities.
Years ago, soccer was a minority sport and relatively affordable for any European athlete, beyond the level and performance with which they gained access to universities. However, nowadays more and more athletes are opting to obtain a soccer scholarship in the USA, which has served to increase the average level of the player.
In recent years, it has become common to find players coming from the academies and youth academies of the best teams in Europe and the world: FC Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid… which has contributed to this reality. In addition, the professional leagues in the United States (MLS and WMLS) hold a draft every year, in which the best college players make the leap to professional practice. As a success story, we can look at the example of Jon Bakero, son of the FC Barcelona legend who, after passing through Wake Forest University, was selected by Chicago Fire in the number 5 spot in the 2018 Draft.
Do you want to discover your chances of getting a soccer scholarship in the USA?
Contact us for a free evaluation.
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