How to get a soccer scholarship in the USA
Only around 50% of players at top-ranked US colleges are American born. Through this diversity, the college system has produced superstars, with players like Clint Dempsey, Alex Morgan, Landon Donovan, Mia Hamm, and standout Leeds United midfielder Jack Harrison all playing college soccer before making it as professionals.
Complete our free evaluation to see if you could qualify to study and play soccer in the USA.
Complete evaluationSoccer scholarships in the United States are in high demand and competitive to obtain. Here are a few things you can do to increase your chances.
1. Start early
We generally recommend that soccer players start planning for the college soccer scholarship process from Grade 9, as this gives you enough time to research the requirements, take the SAT, and put together your sports resumé and highlight reel.
2. Maintain top academic grades
Many US college coaches will look at a combination of your athletic and academic abilities before awarding soccer scholarships. Not many people know this, but different athletic associations that govern US college soccer require college players take 16 core subjects in high school and maintain a certain grade point average (GPA). If you start too late or if your grades are too low, this can be catastrophic.
3. Collect video footage
For most international players, flying and attending ID camps or trials is not an option, so US coaches use video footage to review a prospective students' skills and abilities to see if they may fulfill the needs of the team before making contact with them. Make sure you are filming your school, club, regional or national team games in order to showcase your skills.
4. 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.
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How do USA college soccer scholarships work?
US college soccer scholarships are awarded to players who have the potential to make a difference in a team. As soccer is a subjective sport, coaches will have different needs for their teams.
These scholarships may cover various expenses, including tuition, housing, food, books, and other related fees. The value of the scholarship may vary, with some covering all expenses (full scholarship), while others provide only partial assistance (partial scholarship). They are awarded on a year-by-year basis and can be renewed annually for up to four playing years.
- A 2-3 minute highlight video is a must.
- If you are a goalkeeper, training footage can be beneficial too.
- It is advantageous to be playing at the club/academy level.
- A strong GPA and test scores can earn you more scholarships
Who awards soccer scholarships in the USA?
Soccer scholarships are awarded by institutions and colleges that belong to the following athletic associations: the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
NCAA men’s soccer teams are entitled to give out nine full scholarships at the Division 1 (D1) level, and nine at the D2 level, while D3 colleges do not give out funding for soccer at all. It must be noted that players can still win academic scholarships to D3 institutions while playing soccer.
NCAA D1 women’s soccer teams can give out 14 full scholarships, D2 are allowed nine and, much like the men teams, D3 colleges do not give any sports-related scholarship away at all.
NAIA and NJCAA soccer teams are able to give out very generous soccer scholarships, with the NJCAA entitled to 18 full scholarships for each of their men’s and women’s soccer teams. The NAIA follow the same scholarship distribution rules as the NCAA D1 teams mentioned above.
Frequently asked questions about USA college soccer scholarships
1. What are the eligibility requirements to play college soccer in the USA?
To play college soccer, you must meet the eligibility requirements of the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA. These typically include academic qualifications, amateur status and compliance with age limits.
2. How do I get recruited by college soccer coaches?
You can get recruited by showcasing your skills through video highlights, attending college soccer camps, tournaments, or showcases, and by directly contacting coaches with your soccer resume and academic records.
3. What level of soccer does colleges offer?
Colleges in the US offer soccer at different levels:
- NCAA Division I: Highest level with rigorous competition and athletic scholarships.
- NCAA Division II: Competitive with more balanced focus on academics and athletics, also offers scholarships.
- NCAA Division III: Emphasises academics, with no athletic scholarships.
- NAIA: Smaller schools, often private schools, with scholarships and competitive soccer programmes.
- NJCAA: Community colleges offering a pathway to four-year programmes.
4. What should I include in my soccer highlight video?
Your video should showcase your technical skills, tactical understanding and athleticism. Include clips of passing, shooting, defending and game scenarios with clear footage.
EVENT
Sable International Soccer Showcase 2025 - Players
Sable International is hosting a first-of-its-kind International College Soccer Showcase, connecting talented soccer players with top UK and USA university coaches.
5th - 8th January 2025, 08:00AM - 12:00PM SAST
Register nowSpeak to one of our expert recruiters today about what GPA (and other requirements) you need to qualify for an athletic scholarship in the USA.
A day in the life of a soccer 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.