Exclusive Soccer Scholarships to Apply for in 2025 | Bold.org

About soccer scholarships

Students who play soccer are eligible for many forms of financial aid to assist in financing their higher education. Many institutions offer athletic scholarships for outstanding student-athletes. Soccer players who are interested in intercollegiate athletics and playing at the college level should look into potential sports scholarships at their university.

Because federal loans and student aid often do not provide enough financial assistance to students, external scholarships can be exceptionally helpful. As college costs and student debt continue to climb, scholarship money can be an extremely helpful resource because the award does not need to be repaid.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires student-athletes to meet certain academic requirements to be considered a prospect. There are an estimated 180,000 athletic scholarships available each year. Over 200 universities award soccer scholarships and the average scholarship award ranges from $15,000 to around $18,000, depending on the athlete's NCAA division.

Athletic scholarships are also offered through the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Schools in these associations generally have smaller athletic programs and focus on "character-driven athletics." These can be a great opportunity for students looking for a college soccer scholarship.

Soccer players should look into athletic scholarships for which they are eligible and visit their school's financial aid office for more assistance.

What is a Soccer scholarship?

A soccer scholarship is a form of financial aid geared primarily toward student soccer players. While some of these scholarships are specifically for soccer players themselves, there are also many scholarships available for non-players who are fans of the sport!

These scholarships can financially support students with many different interests and courses of study, so long as they fit the eligibility requirements for the specific scholarships of interest.

Can you get a scholarship for Soccer?

Yes, there are many soccer scholarship opportunities that students should look into. Some soccer scholarships require that you play soccer on the school team, so it is important to research the guidelines and eligibility requirements for any soccer scholarships in which you are interested. There are male soccer scholarships and female soccer scholarships, as well as other specific programs, that support student-athletes of differing backgrounds.

Soccer players and enthusiasts may also be eligible for a general athletic scholarship or academic scholarship; students should always research all possible scholarship opportunities when searching for financial assistance.

How to apply for Soccer scholarships

Different soccer scholarships may have different eligibility and application requirements, so always closely read the posting before submitting an application.

Some sports scholarships may be offered to students, rather than requiring an application. It is important to research the specifications of the scholarships of the university in which you are interested; some sports scholarships are based on athletic achievement, academic achievement, and recruitment processes.

How to get a Soccer scholarship?

Many athletic scholarships are based on athletic ability, so students who played high school soccer may have an advantage in securing aid. Some schools' soccer programs can be extremely competitive, so it is important to understand what the college soccer recruiting process can entail. Some universities require that athletic prospects attend a training or information session, while others scout students directly from their high school. Student-athletes can work closely with their soccer coaches to become competitive applicants.

To be a competitive candidate for a soccer scholarship, it is important to check eligibility requirements and deadlines. It can also be helpful to practice and learn more about the sport.

Best Soccer scholarships for college

There are many scholarships available on Bold.org for students with an interest in athletics and sports. Student-athletes and soccer enthusiasts alike should be sure to check out this list of top soccer scholarships to apply to in 2022.

Giovanni Vitrano Memorial Scholarship

The Giovanni Vitrano Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Giovanni Vitrano, who attended Leon High School. The scholarship will be awarded to a high school soccer player who demonstrates what it takes to be truly great, both on and off the field.

Soccer scholarships for high school students

High school students, especially those who played high school soccer, can receive financial support for their skill set. It can be helpful to begin applying for scholarships while in high school so that students can acquire financial aid before entering college.

Lisa McGinley Scholarship Fund

This $935 scholarship aims to remember Lisa McGinley and support students who have lost a parent while trying to get through school. Any high school junior, senior, or undergraduate student who is pursuing sports at the collegiate level and has lost a parent may apply for this scholarship. Interested students should apply by May 20, 2022, to be considered!

Soccer scholarships for college students

Students involved in college sports can receive college soccer scholarships to support their education. It's never too late to apply for scholarships; both graduate and undergraduate students should research sports scholarships to offset the costs of college.

Ron Johnston Student Athlete Scholarship 

This $3,965 scholarship will support two passionate student-athletes who need financial assistance to help them accomplish their goals, dreams, and aspirations. Any student-athlete who is a high school senior or an undergraduate can apply for this scholarship by June 4, 2022. 

MJM3 Fitness Scholarship

This $1,935 scholarship will help support a student who wants to change their lifestyle to improve their health and body image. Students with an interest in soccer may find this scholarship in line with their life goals. Undergraduate students and high school seniors can apply for this scholarship by July 15, 2022.

Frequently asked questions about Soccer scholarships

Can you get a full scholarship for soccer?

Though you cannot get a full scholarship for soccer, there are many partial scholarships (also known as "equivalency" scholarships) available for the sport.

According to the NCAA, a full scholarship is one that covers the costs of tuition, fees, room, board, and course-related books; unfortunately, full scholarships are only available for some sports — soccer not included.

What colleges give soccer scholarships?

Many colleges offer athletic scholarships for soccer players. Some colleges offer scholarships for men's soccer programs and women's soccer programs. Students interested in intercollegiate athletics should consult the financial aid office and soccer program of their university or check the member colleges of the NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA.

Does Stanford give soccer scholarships?

Stanford University does offer soccer and other athletic scholarships; prospective players can reach out to the university soccer coaches to learn more about receiving a soccer scholarship. Stanford offers both full and partial scholarships for student-athletes; these aid packages can be awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, and athletic ability.

Are soccer scholarships worth it?

Only the individual can decide if the scholarship is "worth it" to them, but scholarships can be very helpful for student-athletes who require financial assistance.

It is important to note that athletic scholarships tend to require a certain time commitment for playing and training — generally, around 20 hours a week, though this can be higher depending on the school's NCAA division. Prospective student-athletes should consider whether they can commit the time required to play on their school's soccer team.

How hard is it to get a soccer scholarship?

Soccer scholarship competitions can be extremely competitive. The NCAA reports that only about 1.3% of students receive full or partial athletic scholarships. However, athletes seeking financial aid can also apply for other types of scholarships that have higher success rates.

It is always worth researching and applying for scholarships if you are able; you never know when luck will strike!

How do I know if I'm eligible for a soccer scholarship?

Each soccer or athletic scholarship will have different eligibility requirements. It's important to always double-check scholarship requirements to avoid wasting time on an application you don't qualify for.

For some sports scholarships, recruiters will reach out first if you are eligible. Discuss your prospects with your soccer coaches or the college coaches at your schools of interest.

In sum, always check the eligibility requirements listed in a scholarship description to know if you should apply and try to communicate with (prospective) soccer coaches about your options.

Are soccer scholarships counted as income?

Generally, scholarship money is not counted as income, as long as the money goes to qualified expenses and doesn't exceed your total costs.

The scholarship award must be used for school-related expenses, like tuition and fees, books, and school supplies. Scholarship money is taxable if it is used for other college-related costs like room and board, food, or travel.

Scholarships from Bold.org are sent directly to the school of the winner and applied towards qualifying educational costs, so you don't need to worry about reporting it as income or paying taxes on it.