US Scholarship Guide

Ready to start your journey of a lifetime…

What is a Scholarship?

A soccer scholarship is a form of financial aid provided to a student-athlete by a college or university to help further their education. Scholarships are awarded to students who show excellent skills in their chosen sport and academic grades.

Scholarships typically work on a percentage basis, meaning that it's up to the college to determine how much can be allocated per athlete. Athletic Scholarships are awarded year-by-year and are reviewed by the coach on the athlete's performance in that given year.

Key Benefits of a Scholarship 

 

Top Facilities

A scholarship gives you the ultimate opportunity to play soccer in top quality facilities around the US. The US college system spends millions of dollars each year on sports facilities.

Earn a Degree 

Not only do you get to play the sport you love, you will also work towards a Degree at a top college or university, recognised globally once you graduate.

Travel the USA 

Experience some of the world's most famous landmarks in States like California, New York and Florida.

Amazing Life Skills 

Whilst on a Scholarship in the USA, you will learn a fantastic array of life skills and independence, setting you up for an outstanding professional career ahead of you.

How can we help you?

Scholarship Connect is a talent evaluation consultancy service. We bring perspective student-athletes to the attention of recruiting coaches. Coaches are invited to view clients in our portfolio, where they will request more details on players that fit their needs and requirements for scholarship awards. 

We must stress that scholarship consultancy agencies are not allowed to participate in any part of a negotiation on behalf of the player. Decisions about athletic scholarship awards are determined by the recruiting coach and their Athletic Director during a consultation with the prospective Student-Athletes family. 

What is included in our Package?

 

Pre-Contract:

  • 1 to 1 Opportunity Awareness Presentation

  • Initial eligibility assessment for a college or university program

  • Telephone and email guidance (limited)

Contracted Services:

  • Recruitment Questionnaire/Profiling

  • Unlimited email guidance available

  • Limited telephone guidance

  • Guidance on entry testing that may be required (or desired)

  • Professional advice and mentoring

  • Access to The Locker Room (online generic resources)

  • Introductions and recommendations to recruiting US collegiate coaches

  • Profile production and client profile accessibility for coaches

  • Advice on College board registration / booking ACT/SAT (client pay provider directly if sign up required)

  • Advice on registering with NCAA and/or NAIA clearing (client pay provider directly if sign up required)

  • Advice on qualifications evaluation centre assessment (client pay provider directly if sign up required)

  • Advice and support to complete school application process (client pay school admin fee directly)

  • 1v1 preparation time guidance for your Student Visa Interview if required

  • Full placement advice and support from Day 1

  • Advice on USA travel flights (if required)

  • Advice on insurance (if required)

  • Advice on a performance analyst / videographer (if required)

  • Access to a strength and conditioning coach (if required)

  • Emergency overseas support advice (if required)

  • Full access to all our resources and links

Not Included:

  • SAT / ACT or other test fees

  • Immigration or visa fees

  • NCAA or NAIA registration fees

  • Fees relating to qualifications evaluations

  • USA college transfer assistance when in the USA (£Price on Application to Scholarship Connect)

  • Fees for Videographer / performance analyst player-cam highlights

  • Fees Strength and conditioning coach

  • Fee related to application to college (pay college fee – the contract with the school)

  • Any fees related to attendance at college, insurances, flights, food, accommodation, books, travel, housing, kit, medical

  • Fee for Scholarship Connect to assist with US immigration and visa services (you will pay US Immigration approximately $350 and the United States Embassy approximately $160. Scholarship Connect will process SEVIS documents and prepare the visa application for an admin fee not exceeding £100)

US Athletic Governing Bodies (Leagues):

There are around 1500 universities/colleges in the US, in different locations, at varying levels of athletics, and at different costs. This is a breakdown of all the divisions, what they mean, and the options you should consider when talking to a coach. 

The American college system is different to that of the UK because college sports in the USA is big business, with coaches usually having scholarship budgets in the hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Scholarships for athletes can range from minimal contributions to a 'full ride', including full tuition cover, housing, meals, and even money for books.

These colleges are divided into several sectors and divisions of college sports, all representing different types of higher education. These are;

  • NCAA, Division 1 and Division 2 (large public/private colleges)

  • NCAA Division 3 (usually small private colleges)

  • NAIA (public/private colleges)

  • NJCAA (public colleges)

Our Hall of Fame

Since our journey began in 2011, we have been fortunate to place Student-Athletes that have gone on to some incredibly high positions. Click the button below to visit our Hall of Fame.

Apply Today!

Start your journey today for a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Complete the application form, and one of our team will be in touch to discuss your next steps.