FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to be an academy player?
No. College soccer covers a wide range of standards, from top NCAA Division I teams to junior colleges and Division III. Good grassroots and non-league players can find the right level.

Can I get a full scholarship?
It is possible at NCAA Division I and II, NAIA and NJCAA Division I schools, but most athletic scholarships are partial. Many players combine an athletic award with academic scholarships or family funding.

How much will it cost?
That depends on the college and the scholarship. Even with a large scholarship, budget for flights, health insurance, visa fees and living costs. See the Finances and Costs page.

When should I start?
Ideally during Year 11 or early Year 12. See the timeline on the How to Apply page.

Do I have to sit the SAT?
Not for NCAA eligibility, but some colleges require it for admission or academic scholarships, and a good score can save you money.

Will my GCSEs and A-levels be accepted?
Yes. US colleges and the eligibility centres evaluate UK qualifications themselves, and your GCSEs count as well as your A-levels.

Do I need to pay an agency?
No. Agencies can save time and open doors, but many players find colleges themselves. Check any agency carefully before paying.

Can I earn money from NIL deals?
Be very careful. F-1 visa rules restrict work, and NIL income could put your status at risk. See the Senior Colleges page.

GLOSSARY

• Associate Degree: a two-year qualification from a junior college, similar to a foundation degree.
• Bachelor’s Degree: a four-year undergraduate degree, the US equivalent of a UK honours degree.
• Conference: a league of colleges that play each other regularly, such as the ACC or the SUNYAC.
• D1, D2, D3: the three NCAA divisions. D1 and D2 can offer athletic scholarships; D3 cannot.
• Eligibility Center: the NCAA or NAIA office that checks you are academically eligible and an amateur.
• F-1 visa: the US student visa needed to study full time.
• Fall and spring semesters: the autumn and spring terms of the US academic year.
• GPA (Grade Point Average): an average of your grades on a 0 to 4.0 scale.
• I-20: the form your college issues once you are accepted, which you need to apply for your visa.
• JUCO: short for junior college, a two-year college.
• NAIA: the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, a separate governing body to the NCAA.
• NCAA: the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the main governing body for four-year college sport.
• NIL: Name, Image and Likeness, the right of college athletes to earn money from sponsorship and publicity.
• NJCAA: the National Junior College Athletic Association, which runs most junior college sport.
• OPT (Optional Practical Training): permission for F-1 students to work in the US in a job related to their studies.
• Redshirt: a season in which a player trains with the team but doesn’t play in games, so they keep a season of eligibility for later.
• Roster: the official squad list for the season.
• SEVIS: the US government database that tracks international students. You pay a SEVIS fee before your visa interview.
• Showcase: a tournament or event where college coaches come to watch players.
• Transfer portal: the NCAA database a player enters when they want to move to another college.
• Walk-on: a player who joins a college team without an athletic scholarship.