How to Get a Scholarship for Soccer

Get insider knowledge on how to score soccer scholarships. Read more for tips, tricks, and exclusive soccer scholarships.

Soccer is one of the most beloved sports in the entire world, so it comes as no surprise that soccer scholarships are available to help student-athletes pursue higher education. Whether you are a keeper or center mid, it is possible to get a soccer scholarship to fund your college journey. So, gear up, high school soccer players and current student-athletes alike; there are several steps you can take to find and (hopefully) secure a soccer scholarship.

This article will cover everything you need to know about soccer scholarships, the college soccer recruiting process, ways to increase your chances at funding, and more. And like any athletic scholarship, it is an extremely competitive game. But don't worry. We've got you covered!

Are you a student-athlete looking for funding? Head over to the Bold.org Scholarship Blog to learn how you can apply for an athletic scholarship today!

Understanding Soccer Scholarships

When it comes to sports scholarships, it's important to understand the basics of the scholarship, as well as the scholarship process. And while it is a competitive market, especially for high school students, it's not impossible to secure a solid soccer scholarship for your college education.

Here is some key information to help you understand how soccer scholarships work:

• Types of Scholarships: There are always two types of scholarships...
  • Full Scholarships: covers tuition, room, board, and fees
  • Partial Scholarships: covers a portion of the costs
• Recruitment Process: Coaches will scout athletic talent through high school games and championships. But if you want to be proactive, student-athletes can send highlight reels and athletic resumes to coaches on their preferred soccer team.
• Eligibility: Athletes must meet academic eligibility requirements. This can include, but is not limited to, GPA and standardized (ACT, SAT) test scores.
• Renewal and Conditions: Scholarships are often renewed annually based on academic performance and team rules. Keep in mind that coaches can adjust scholarship amounts based on performance, injury, and/or other factors. Be sure to consult with your soccer coach for these details.
• Application for Financial Aid: Athletes can apply for additional financial aid through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to help cover costs not included in the scholarship.

If you’re considering pursuing a soccer scholarship, it’s key to stay proactive, maintain good grades, and stay in check with all of your scholarship requirements.

Finding the Right Resources

We all know getting a college education can be pricey, even for student-athletes. And when you don't know where to go for funding, the right resources make the idea of getting a college education harder to commit to, which is why it's important to know where to go for funding.

1. Bold.org is one of the largest funding platforms for scholarships ranging in areas like demographics to interest, in this case, soccer players. New scholarships are added daily at Bold.org, which only increases the chances of student-athletes finding the right fund for them and applying for it. Bold.org makes the scholarship search incredibly easy for students to navigate through. All you have to do is create a free profile, and you will have immediate access to a plethora of exclusive scholarship options.
2. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is another great funding option for student athletes. They provide financially for all student-athletes. Be sure to visit their site for more details.
3. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) is, again, another source of funding for student-athletes,

However, if you are concerned about your chances of getting a soccer scholarship, don't be afraid to reach out to your high school soccer coach, advisors, or even college soccer coaches. Doing your research will only increase your chances of getting funded.

Scholarship Amounts

Now, while there is no set amount for soccer scholarships or a way of knowing what a student will be receiving, soccer scholarships can vary based on the program and institution. However, here are some things to consider when it comes to scholarship amounts:

NCAA Division I:

Full scholarships are rare, but they can cover all college expenses, which can total around $30,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on the school. Most Division I programs offer partial scholarships.

NCAA Division II:

Like Division I, but different schools have more flexibility with the scholarship funding. The average scholarship might cover about 50% of costs, depending on the program's budget.

NAIA Schools:

Scholarships can range from full to partial, and the average award might be around $10,000 to $20,000 per year.

Overall, while some athletes may receive full scholarships, many receive partial funding, averaging around $5,000 to $20,000 per year. It's important to research individual programs, as offerings can vary significantly.

Recruiting Process

Soccer recruitment can begin as early as middle school, but if you haven't begun, it is certainly not too late. A survey conducted by NCSA found that 74% of college coaches for men's soccer reported evaluating talent in 10th grade, and 22% reported evaluating talent in 11th grade.

If you have strong soccer skills and are confident that you can play in college-level soccer programs, you should begin reaching out to college coaches early on. Conduct research on what kind of college team you want to play soccer for to help you find the right schools. From there, you can begin reaching out to college coaches. Introduce yourself and invite them to come to watch you play. College coaches usually prefer to evaluate players in person, so they may even be in attendance at important national high school games and high-level tournaments.

You should also put effort into creating a recruiting video to send out to soccer team recruiters. The video should primarily be game footage to show college coaches your skills. Talk to your coach from your competitive or high school team to ask them for tips and advice about being recruited. They may give you valuable information, advocate for you, and even help you film a video.

Keep in mind that you can be proactive by creating a recruiting profile on a recruiting website like NCSA Sports or Sports Recruits. Your profile should showcase your stats and skills to show college coaches that you are the best candidate to play soccer on their college team.

Funding Optics for Soccer Players

Now that you've been recruited, you must prepare for the exciting but busy life of a collegiate student-athlete. Due to the high cost of a college education, part of this preparation involves getting financial aid. A soccer scholarship could be extremely helpful to a student-athlete in need, but securing one is a much different process than getting on the team.

Soccer is considered an equivalency sport which means that coaches are given a lump sum of soccer scholarships, and then they divide that money amongst their players as they see fit. The NCAA Division I and Division II schools offer athletic scholarships every year to over 180,000 student-athletes. However, the type of scholarships received may vary by sport. There are two different categories of sports designated by the NCAA, headcount sports and equivalency sports.

You can also receive scholarships from online platforms and nonprofit organizations, like Bold.org! Check out this comprehensive list of exclusive athletic scholarships and win money today.

There are several measures student-athletes can take to increase their odds of receiving a soccer scholarship.

Financial Need

While there is no way to guarantee that you get a college soccer scholarship, demonstrating financial need can definitely increase your chances. Consider talking honestly about your financial needs with your college coach. If they are aware of your financial situation, they may be more inclined to offer you a soccer scholarship.

Academics

As discussed, athletes must meet academic eligibility requirements. This can include, but is not limited to, GPA and standardized (ACT, SAT) test scores. Be sure to review all scholarship requirements before applying to ensure you qualify for aid.

Commitment

Once offered a scholarship, athletes typically need to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI), solidifying their commitment to play for that school for a certain period. So, before you sign your time away, make sure you are 100% aligned with the school and school team of your choice.

Ways to Increase Your Chances at a Soccer Scholarship

Now that we've covered everything you need to know about soccer scholarships, let's discuss ways to increase your chances of securing an athletic scholarship for your future!

Focus on Soccer

College soccer programs are full of phenomenal players, but being one of the best players on the team can greatly improve your chances of receiving a soccer scholarship. Working hard during practice and taking the initiative to show your leadership skills can be a great way to show your coach that playing soccer is a priority of yours and that you deserve a soccer scholarship.

Academics

Receiving good grades is also a good way to increase your chances of getting a soccer scholarship. College soccer coaches want to give soccer scholarships to players who will make the most of them, so demonstrating that you care about your academics is a good way to show this. Furthermore, soccer student-athletes have very busy schedules, what with playing soccer, attending classes, and participating in other extracurricular activities, so prioritizing your academics illustrates responsibility.

Negotiation

If you are unsatisfied with your soccer scholarship, you can always speak to your coach or financial aid office about changing it. You can also increase the scholarship money you receive by becoming a more valuable player on the team. Be sure to put in your best effort at practice and during games to demonstrate your skills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Soccer Scholarships

How much is a soccer scholarship worth?

The value of a soccer scholarship can vary greatly, so there is no specific number. However, on average, a women's soccer team will have enough collegiate NCAA funding for roughly 14 full soccer scholarships, and a men's soccer team will have enough for roughly 9. This does not mean that a women's soccer team will receive exactly 14 full scholarships and a men's soccer team will receive exactly 9 scholarships; but the total funds awarded to the teams are equivalent to this amount.

Outside of university and NCAA-funded scholarships, the scholarship money available to student-athletes who play soccer can range from hundreds to thousands.

Is a soccer scholarship easy to get?

The percentage of soccer players who actually get a soccer scholarship is incredibly low. Only about 2% of high school students receive some form of an athletic scholarship, and the percentage of those who get a soccer scholarship is even lower. In order to increase your chances of receiving a college soccer scholarship, you must have excellent soccer skills, a high-grade point average, a good relationship with a college coach, and oftentimes a demonstration of financial need.

How can I increase my chances of a soccer scholarship?

Athletes can increase their chances at a soccer scholarship in many ways, but focusing on soccer, skill, and technique can make you stand out amongst other players, as well as keep up and maintain your academics where they are supposed to be (according to the scholarship of choice). When it comes to college sports, you can't have one without the other. You can also be proactive and talk to coaches and advisors about scholarships and amounts. Stay on top of your game, which will keep you ahead.

At Bold.org, you can apply for scholarships designed just for you! Create a FREE Bold profile and browse through hundreds of scholarship options today.