Soccer Scholarships – How Do I Get A College Soccer Scholarship.
There are well over 1000 schools that offer student-athletes the opportunity to play collegiate soccer and thousands more athletes fighting for spots at those schools. Coaches can not physically find and evaluate the top talent from all over the globe without missing someone, this is why its important to take the initiative, be proactive and reach out to those coaches first. This is the best way to increase your chances of being considered for college soccer scholarships.
How Does The Recruitment Process Work For Soccer?
There is more and more international athletes every single year, trying to secure soccer scholarships in the USA and hundreds of thousands more high school domestic athletes already in the states fighting for opportunities. Proving that you are college level soccer player takes a lot of hard work, especially if you want to play at the top level. Having coaches come and watch you in person is a key component to being successful in the recruitment process, but there are other ways to be successful, what techniques you choose to use are up to you. Read our recruitment guide here
What Are The Academic Requirements To Play College Soccer?
Academic requirements vary dependent on what level you want to compete at. Please bare in mind that being eligible to play is not enough to guarantee you admission into your school of choice. This is why academics are so important. It’s all good and well having a full scholarship to play college soccer, but that is of no use to you if you aren’t able to get admitted to the University!
Based on what level you want to compete, the requirements change. Keep in mind that just meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee you admission into your school of choice.
How Many Soccer Scholarships Are There?
The college soccer recruiting process is extremely competitive and as interest grows as does the competition, this applies especially to scholarships as they are limited to how many each program can offer. This varies from level to level. Some people have aspirations to play at the highest level possible, some prioritize the scholarship itself over level. If that is the case, then maybe heading to an NAIA program is the best pathway for you. Soccer is an equivalency sport which means all scholarships are not full scholarships, and coaches are able to divide the total number of scholarships allotted to them between as many athletes as they see fit.
| Division | Men’s | Women’s | # Of Men’s Programs | # Of Women’s Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA DI | 9.9 | 14 | 204 | 314 |
| NCAA DII | 9 | 9.9 | 172 | 223 |
| NCAA DIII | N/A | N/A | 394 | 409 |
| NAIA | 12 | 12 | 216 | 221 |
| NJCAA | 18 | 18 | 291 | 276 |
NCAA Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships but do offer other forms of financial aid to their student-athletes.
What Are My Chances Of Getting A Soccer Scholarship?
On average only a little under 8% of high school soccer players in the US, make it to the college level, with only around 1% of those making it to the highest level and competing to play on an NCAA Division I program.
Now whilst those percentages look like they’re against you, all isn’t lost. If you approach your recruitment properly, stay proactive, compete at a high level and handle your business in the classroom, you still have a chance. We recommend staying open to all levels and not having an ‘Im only playing division I soccer’ mindset. The more doors that you knock on, the more chance you have of someone answering. You may be a top level talent and perhaps timing isn’t in your favour this year, meaning you have to drop down a division and compete there. That is completely fine! Handle your business and we promise you, those top programs will come knocking. This is a business after all and coaches keep their jobs by putting wins on the board. If you help them do that, there will be a home there for you.
