How to get a cross country scholarship in the USA
US colleges and universities award cross country scholarships to students who demonstrate exceptional ability in cross country running. Complete our free evaluation to see if you could qualify.
Complete evaluationCross country scholarship requirements will vary depending on each college and the level at which you wish to compete. Most college coaches will require students to meet certain athletic and academic standards before issuing a scholarship. Here are a few things you can do to increase your chances:
1. Maintain high academic standards
College coaches who issue cross-country scholarships will require that you take certain core subjects in high school and maintain a certain grade point average (GPA). This GPA requirement may vary by school and athletic conference; however, a 2.3 is the minimum GPA requirement for NCAA D1 eligibility.
2. Standardised test scores
Some colleges may require students to take SATs or ACTs and achieve a certain score to qualify for scholarships.
3. Compile a sports resumé
You will need to compile a sports CV and track your performance. Demonstrate your potential by submitting specific track-based performance data, specifically the 1,500m, the 3,000m and the 5,000m. It’s a good idea to include video footage.
4. Compete at a high level
Compete in highly competitive events, which may include regional, provincial and national levels.
5. Be of good character
Many schools strongly emphasise personal character when awarding scholarships. A student may need to demonstrate leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, and good sportsmanship before coaches will grant them substantial scholarships.
6. Be proactive
Speak to professional recruiters, such as those from Sable International, who can help you identify potential scholarships, guide you through the application process, and put you in contact with coaches at the universities you're interested in.
Average cross country scholarships can be difficult to find on your own, but we can help you find a dedicated cross country running scholarship that will take your sporting career to new heights, while you study your chosen profession.
A day in the life of a cross-country student athlete
Our service
By offering personalised guidance and support, we aim to help student-athletes achieve their goals of competing in collegiate sports while obtaining a world-class education in the United States.
Athletic and academic assessment
We'll evaluate your skills, performance and potential to compete at college level. We will also review your academic record to determine your eligibility for college admissions and sports scholarships.
College selection
We'll help you identify suitable colleges and universities based on your athletic and academic goals.
Recruitment process
We'll help you create a compelling sports profile, introduce you to college coaches and assist you with navigating the complex recruitment process.
Scholarship negotiation
We'll guide you through the scholarship negotiation process to maximise your financial support.
Application and admissions support
Our expertise with US universities and educational institutions allows us to effectively assist and guide student-athletes throughout the application process.
Student visa assistance
We'll provide support and guidance around obtaining your visa to study and compete in the USA.
Do you believe you have what it takes to become a student-athlete at an American university?
Our placed athletes
Ronen Oosthuizen
University: Rice University
Elyas Ayyoub
University: University of Mississippi
How do USA college cross country scholarships work?
College cross country scholarships in the United States work similarly to other sports, where the coaches award the scholarship based on the student's athletic and academic ability.
Scholarships are granted based on your performance at highly competitive events and your 1,500m, 3,000m, and 5,000m times. Each university, depending on the division they compete in, will have its own standards for these distances. Coaches will also look at your academic performance when making scholarship decisions, so it is important to keep your high school marks up.
- Athletes need to be competing in provincial/state or national competitions to showcase to coaches that they are competing at a high level.
- You should have an official 5km or 10km time to send to the coaches.
- A strong GPA and test scores can earn you more scholarships.
When you are in the USA, you will be trained five days a week (2-3 hours a day) in the gym, on the track and on the road to enhance your time. You will also need to attend university classes in your chosen area of study, as a percentage of your grade is allocated based on how many of the classes you attend.
Who awards sports scholarships in the USA?
Athletic scholarships are awarded by institutions and colleges that belong to the athletic associations National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
The number of scholarships available can vary from college to college, but generally the NCAA Division I colleges have more scholarships to offer than Division II and III schools and other associations.
Each athletic association has strict rules for renewing scholarships based on athletic and academic performance; thus, students must maintain their performance throughout their college career to keep their scholarships.
It is important to note that not all athletes receive athletic scholarships. Even if you receive a scholarship, it may only be partial, meaning you may still have to pay for some of the costs associated with attending college.
USA college cross-country scholarship FAQs
What are the top colleges for cross-country in the USA?
It is not a perfect science to determine which college has the best cross-country programme, as many factors contribute to the success of a college's cross-country team, and the best programme for you will depend on your academic and athletic goals and needs.
We have placed students at some of the best cross-country universities in America, including Northern Arizona University, Villanova University, The University of Colorado Boulder, The University of Oregon, The University of Arkansas and the University of Virginia.
How fast do you need to be to qualify for a college cross-country scholarship in the USA?
The times you need to run to qualify for a college cross-country scholarship in the United States will vary depending on the specific college and the level of competition they compete in.
To get an idea of the times for NCAA Division I college cross-country scholarships, you can look at the results from NCAA cross-country races online or your country's U/18 national qualifying times. Speak to your high school coach or contact us for more specific guidance.
What GPA does a student-athlete need in South Africa to qualify for an athletic scholarship in America?
In order to qualify for a cross-country scholarship in the United States, South African student-athletes typically need to meet certain academic and athletic requirements. The typical GPA one should aim for needs to be above 2.3; however, some colleges may have higher GPA requirements, depending on their academic standards.
It is also important to note that student-athletes will need to meet certain NCAA eligibility requirements to be able to compete. These requirements include completing several core courses or core academic subjects and achieving a qualifying score on a standardised test (such as the ACT or SAT).
When is the college cross-country season?
In the United States, the college cross country season typically takes place during the fall semester, which begins in late August or early September and runs through until November. The season culminates in the NCAA Cross Country Championship, which is held towards the end of November each year.
Universities in the USA's Western and Southern regions can train and compete outdoors year-round. In contrast, those in the Northeast and Midwest regions often take a break due to the harsh winters opting to train indoors, with these schools often having indoor running tracks where distance athletes train in climate-controlled conditions.
Can South African cross-country students get scholarships at a US college?
Yes, South African cross country runners can get scholarships at a college or university in the United States! Sign up with us today and complete the free online evaluation and see if you qualify.
Speak to one of our expert recruiters today about what GPA (and other requirements) you need to qualify for an athletic scholarship in the USA.