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Fill out the form below to find out about your chances of playing college sports in the USA.
After submitting your information, we will get in touch with you within a business day to schedule a free, informative meeting!
Before you take into account your costs at College, you should be aware that the process contains certain mandatory fees to plan for. These include:
These are one-time costs before you arrive in the USA. Some of the above costs may not apply to you
Universities in the US charge different amounts, depending on factors such as their size, private or state, location, and academic reputation. These costs can vary between $25,000 up to $80,000 per year and this includes tuition, housing, meals, and extra costs. These costs can be reduced by a scholarship and this can vary from 1 to 100% depending on your academic and athletic abilities. A 100% scholarship, also known as a full-ride or full scholarship, will cover all of the costs. There are no extra costs for training, competitions, and materials services such as physiotherapy are also included in the package of a student-athlete.
US College sport is a gigantic industry and many games are broadcasted on national television and widely followed. The athletes and teams are a focal point on campus, and large crowds will gather to watch them take on conference rivals. In the bigger US sports such as American Football and Basketball, stadium crowds can exceed 100,000 people – many of whom will be college students or former students who are fanatical about their school’s teams. As a student-athlete, you represent your College and compete with pride as your classmates and local community cheer you on.
By having good sports teams that compete with other top-ranked teams all over the country, universities can generate a significant amount of income through ticket sales, televising, merchandise, advertisements, donations, and other publicity. The sports teams serve as a marketing tool for the universities to recruit new (foreign) students. By offering athletic scholarships, athletes get the opportunity to study at an American college without having to pay for the full costs of tuition, housing, etc, which can easily sum up to over $80,000 per year depending on the school.
An athletic scholarship is a financial reward that is offered to student-athletes to reduce the cost of education and living costs. A scholarship varies from 1 to 100% of the school's total costs based on your athletic abilities. There are many different levels and divisions that provide opportunities for athletic scholarships. Most athletes can qualify for some form of an athletic scholarship, as long as they work hard and are realistic about their expectations.
An academic scholarship is a financial reward awarded to students with good academic results to reduce the cost of education and living costs. Every university has its guidelines and requirements to determine who (and for how much) a student will qualify. Universities often review your GPA and SAT/ACT scores to award academic scholarships.
Every scholarship is given for one academic year, which is 9 months in most cases. After each year you can renegotiate with the coach and if you have performed well increase the percentage of your sports scholarship. Generally, it is the rule that once you have received an athletic scholarship, it is valid for four years, but that is not always the case.
Besides academic and athletic scholarships, there are also various campus-job opportunities to support your costs and/or to earn some pocket money. Campus jobs are not physically or mentally hard activities, and they usually consist of work in the school’s library, cafeteria, gym, activity centers, and other school facilities. US law allows international student F-1 students to work up to 20 hours per week.
They cannot take away scholarship in the case of an injury! League rules and regulations do not allow coaches to take scholarships away if a player gets injured. In case of a serious injury, an athlete can use a “red shirt” year, which means the athlete can focus on his/her recovery without using a year of eligibility while maintaining a scholarship.
However, you can lose your scholarship if you quit the team, cheat on an exam at school, your grade point average drops below a minimum requirement, or don’t follow the rules of the coach or the college.
Costs of attending an American university can vary from $25,000 to over $80,000 a year. A 100% scholarship, also known as a full-ride or full scholarship, is an award that covers all expenses, including tuition, books, fees, room, and board, and possibly even living costs. The amount of the athletic scholarship depends on your athletic abilities. The better you are, the better your chances are to receive a full scholarship. Before we start a process, we always give a fair assessment of what costs you can expect per school year.
During your studies in the US, you will, just like in any other country, have personal costs and expenses to take into account. Think about your phone bill, flights home during the holidays, or going out for dinner with a friend. The amount of extra costs depends on your lifestyle.
The general requirements for athletes are no different than the requirements for all students. To be admitted as a regular student in an American school, you need to have a high school degree equal in value to the one awarded after 12 years of U.S. high school. In addition, the admission departments at universities will look at your GPA (grade point average), standardized test scores ( SAT/ACT), and English test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/DuoLingo test) for admissions. Your GPA and test scores are also used to determine if you qualify for an academic scholarship.
It is also possible to join an American university as a transfer student. This means that you have already started studying in your home country. In most cases, you will be able to transfer your credits from your home university to your American university and continue your studies in the US. As a transfer student, an admissions department will look at your GPA and English test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/DuoLingo test) for admissions.
The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized admissions test often required for admission to US universities. The test is designed to measure critical thinking and analytical skills and tests in the subjects; Critical Reading, Math, and (optional) Writing. You need a test result for two different reasons:
The SAT is offered only a few times per year and you should therefore aim to book a test date as soon as you can. We will assist you in making the most suitable arrangements and providing each client with help and advice in preparation for the exam.
The American College Testing (ACT) is, just like the SAT, a standardized admissions test for universities in the United States. There are 4 sections on the ACT: English, Math, Reading, and Science, and each section is scored on a scale of 1–36. Your composite ACT score is an average of your 4 section scores. You need a test result for two different reasons:
The ACT is offered only a few times per year and you should therefore aim to book a test date as soon as you can. We will assist you in making the most suitable arrangements and providing each client with help and advice in preparation for the exam.
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a required language test for all non-native English speakers. There are 4 sections on the TOEFL; Reading, Speaking, Writing, and Listening. You can score up to 30 points for each section, totaling up to 120 points max. The score requirements can differ significantly between schools.
TOEFL tests are offered many times per year and we will assist you in making the most suitable arrangements and providing each client with help and advice in preparation for the exam.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an alternative to the TOEFL test but is not accepted at every university. There are 4 sections on the IELTS; Reading, Speaking, Writing, and Listening. Every university requires a minimum score for students to get accepted.
The Duolingo English Test is a modern language proficiency tool designed for today's international students and institutions. It offers an English proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample in an accessible, efficient, and secure testing experience. You can take the test at home, which is not always the case for the TOEFL or IELTS tests. Scores are reported on a scale from 10 to 160.
Please note that The DuoLingo test is not yet accepted by every American university although the number of schools that work with the test is growing rapidly.
In addition to your high school transcripts, GPA, and academic tests, universities usually look at a few other things for admission decisions like letters of recommendation, motivational letters, and extracurricular activities such as internships and charity work.
There is no definitive answer to this question. The most important thing is that you’re fully committed to the process before you get started. However, the sooner you start the process, the better. Most US College coaches recruit players 1-2 years before they join the squad. Once their athletic scholarship budget has been spent, they can no longer make offers to other players. In general, we would advise you to begin the process 2 years before graduating high school. The process from your initial application to starting your scholarship can take anywhere between 6-24 months depending on your sport and ability level.
We believe that getting to know you personally is a crucial part of the process of finding the right school for you. After completing our non-binding registration form we will make an appointment free of charge in which we identify your needs and wishes. Before we start a process we will always give you a clear picture of what you can expect in terms of academics, athletics and costs. For detailed steps please read more
In most cases, you can but we will have to assess every individual situation. We are happy to help you figure out your options in a free-of-charge meeting
In most cases, we can help you can but we will have to assess every individual situation. We are happy to help you figure out your options in a free-of-charge meeting
Our service does not end when a student is placed at a university. We are there for guidance and support throughout your entire college career and can help if needed with a school transfer.
In general, you can study almost all education areas (majors) there are in the United States. However, two subject areas do tend to prove difficult to use in another country if you earn a degree in the States. Those subjects are Law and Medicine. If you’re considering either of these majors, speak to us and we can offer guidance. All other subjects are far more transferable to use outside the US or qualify you for graduate school. Here is a small overview of the possibilities:
Questions about a subject major? Get in touch! We’d love to discuss how you can combine the degree subject you want with an incredible sporting experience.
A major is the field of study you choose to get your bachelor’s degree in. For example, you can major in business administration, or a major in biology. All college students must at one time decide what major to study.
A minor can be a specialization in addition to your bachelor’s or even a topic that has nothing to do with your major like a language for example. A minor is not required, but it does look good on your resume.
Your GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number that indicates how well or how high you scored in your courses on average. In the USA, the GPA is used on a scale between 1.0 and 4.0 is then used to assess whether you meet the standards and expectations set by the degree program or university. Your GPA is also used for eligibility purposes, and the requirements differ per division. Not to worry! We will help you calculate your GPA at an early stage, so you know where you stand. Read more
Yes, this is definitely possible but we will have to assess every individual situation. We are happy to help you figure out your options in a free-of-charge meeting: schedule a meeting
Academically, there is no difference between a college and a university. Colleges are often smaller institutions that emphasize undergraduate education in a broad range of academic areas. Universities are typically larger institutions that offer a variety of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Many universities are also committed to producing research. Read more
Community colleges offer a two-year program in which you can obtain an associate degree that prepares you to transfer to your junior year of a bachelor's degree. Community colleges are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition. Many international students take the community college route to complete the first 2 years of their bachelor’s degree while developing themselves in the NJCAA before transferring to the NCAA or NAIA. Read more
In Europe, as a result of the Bologna Reform, the American university system was largely adopted and as a result, it is easier for students to transfer the credits earned at one university to another. In most cases, you can transfer directly to an international masters with an American bachelor’s degree. However, there are differences in level per university so we need to know in advance what your academic ambitions are.
Sports & academics are 100% coordinated, so you have the opportunity to excel on both the track as well as in the classroom. As a student-athlete, your coaches will emphasize the importance of going to classes and maintaining good grades. Remember, you will be a student-athlete (student comes first!) You will have a class schedule mapped out by an academic adviser who will help guide you along. Most students will have between 2 – 4 hours of classes per day, with some more time spent on homework/assignments in the evenings.
A university will do everything to have their student-athletes excel in both the classroom as well as in their sport. Class schedules are scheduled around practice and competitions and many universities even have special tutors for athletes who help with all academic matters and make sure that neither sport nor study suffers from each other.
There are three main organizations that allow student-athletes to pursue a career in collegiate sports. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Each serves a different purpose and gives student-athletes the ability to receive an education while continuing to participate in the sport they love.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that sanctions college sports for over 1200 of its member schools and student-athletes. The NCAA has three different divisions in which you can compete; NCAA Division 1, 2 & 3.
NCAA Division 1: Division 1 is home to the largest universities and colleges and is the highest level to compete in. In this division, there are more scholarships, more recruiting budgets, more elaborate facilities, and more travel budgets.
NCAA Division 2: Usually smaller universities participate in Division 2 athletics. While it's true on average that D-I schools are stronger than D-2 schools, it is a common misunderstanding that the level of Division 2 is by definition weaker than Division 1. It is important to understand that you can't move up or down the divisions based on athletic success and performance.
NCAA Division 3: In NCAA Divison 3 the emphasis is more on academics and institutions are not allowed to award any athletic scholarships to their student-athletes. Athletes may receive any other form of financial aid, such as academic financial aid or need-based aid.
It is worth noting that student-athletes should not get too hung up on what division they will play in. We will give you the best advice possible based on our expertise to have the biggest chance of a successful experience!
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) calls itself “The expert in the business of small college athletics”. NAIA schools are most comparable with NCAA II and NCAA III schools in terms of size, enrollment numbers, and level of competition; although there are exceptions with some of the strongest NAIA programs (across sports) competing on a level comparable to D-I schools.
It is worth noting that student-athletes should not get too hung up on what division they will play in. We will give you the best advice possible based on our expertise to have the biggest chance of a successful experience.
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA, also known as JUCO) is the organization that oversees intercollegiate athletics for community/ junior colleges (link to what are community colleges). When you attend a Junior College (JUCO) for two years, you then switch to a 4-year college for the remaining two years of your bachelor’s degree. So, the four-year schedule does not change and you can still earn your degree!
The NJCAA has three different divisions:
College coaches are instrumental in putting together an attractive schedule to offer athletes the right platform to transfer to the NCAA or NAIA once they have earned an associate’s degree or enough college-level credits.
It is worth noting that student-athletes should not get too hung up on what division they will play in. We will give you the best advice possible based on our expertise to have the biggest chance of a successful experience!
The NCAA and NAIA check the eligibility of each athlete and will provide the athlete with a player’s license to compete via their eligibility center. They determine eligibility or not based on academics (GPA, core courses, and test results) and whether an athlete meets the “amateur” status according to American standards. For deciding the eligibility of an athlete in a division, the NCAA and NAIA eligibility centers are the final authority and the criteria differ per division and association. We are happy to help you figure out for what divisions you are eligible in a free-of-charge meeting: schedule a meeting
American universities offer student-athletes scholarships to finance their studies while competing at a top-level in their sport. Almost all universities in the USA offer an athletic program that competes on a regional and national level. It enables you to have an incredible opportunity for personal, athletic, and academic growth. Read more
There are no other places in the world where you can combine academics with sports and get an (athletic) scholarship, and you do not have to play at the top of your sport to be a student-athlete. As a student, you will have the opportunity to obtain a valuable degree, and as an athlete, you will have access to outstanding facilities and full-time coaching staff. Studying in the USA can open doors that you would never have believed existed before, and not to mention, you will have a wonderful life-changing experience!
You do not have to play at the top of your sport to be a student-athlete. There are many different levels and divisions, so there is a spot for everybody. Let us know if you are curious about your chances to become a student-athlete
You may hear the term ‘student athlete’ thrown around when it comes to discussing USA Colleges and scholarships. Essentially – students who are accepted into a US College to study and also represent a sporting team are known as "student-athletes". Many student-athletes are given scholarships to lower their costs, but scholarships are not mandatory in order to be called a student-athlete. Read more
A university usually expects you to live on-campus your first year to get into the rhythm of college. Many universities have dormitories that are specifically reserved for athletes and then offer even greater comfort. As you move through the years, you may get the chance to be in an apartment with friends off campus if preferred, however, there will always be options on campus.
The size of campus you would prefer is something to consider since the student body can consist of anywhere between 500 to 70,000 students! You can just imagine how big some College campuses need to be. Some are so huge that the campus is like a small town itself, whereas smaller campuses can feel more of a close, family community.
Every university has at least one so-called “Dining Hall” where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered as a buffet, this can also be included in the sports scholarship. As a student, you will be on a meal plan with a card that enables you to get your three meals per day – plus a few snacks of course!
Sports & Academics are 100% coordinated so you have the opportunity to excel in both fields. Want to see what a day of a student-athlete looks like in your particular sport? Please visit our sports page