WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP?
THE BENEFITS OF A SCHOLARSHIP
U.S. UNIVERSITY LEAGUES
SOCCER ASSIST: HOW IT WORKS
WHY A SCHOLARSHIP AGENCY?
OUR PLAYER TESTIMONIALS
START YOUR JOURNEY TODAY

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP?

Scholarships are awarded, and provide a discount on tuition fees, to exceptional student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in their sport as well as their academics.

A scholarship works on a percentage basis, so the budget of the athletics department will determine how much can be allocated per student-athlete.

Scholarships are awarded on a year-by-year basis. The soccer coach reviews an individual’s performance every year, to decide whether an increase or decrease in scholarship is appropriate. This decision is usually based on a student’s attitude, sporting and academic performance.

Junior/Community college lasts for 2 years where student-athletes will achieve an Associate’s degree. Once completed student-athletes would then transfer to a 4 year institution, to complete their final 2 years at university. Here, students will obtain a Bachelors degree. The credits attained in Junior/Community college will be transferred to the university, to ensure that students complete university in a total of 4 years.

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

Benefits of a soccer scholarship

Scholarships provide a discount on tuition fees and are determined by a student athlete’s sports ability coupled with their education level.

Top Facilities

Compete in top quality facilities around the U.S – Millions of dollars are spent on U.S facilities.

Earn a Degree

Obtain a degree in a subject of interest – a scholarship will allow you study towards a degree of choice at a reduced rate.

PLAY IN StadiumS

Scholarships provide students with the opportunity to play in stadiums with capacities of 100s or 1000s.

AMAZING DESTINATIONS

Allows students to pursue your dreams in renowned destinations such as California, New York, Florida.

Build your network

Student-athletes have an opportunity to network with people all over the world, whilst gaining friends for life.

LIFE SKILLS

Student-athletes gain independence and learn life skills, as they are free to make their own decisions and take control of their life.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

For non-UK applicants click here to read the international student page.

The U.S. college divisions

What are the different university leagues?

There are approximately 3000 universities/colleges in the U.S, in various locations, at different levels of athletics, and at different costs.

NCAA DIVISION

Many people dream of playing U.S college soccer at this level as it is known to be the most established division. The calibre of athletes range from academy to national players. There are many regulations including the number of international students they are permitted to have on their rosters. Secondly, academic requirements are high and therefore eligibility for this division may be difficult.

Student athletes normally start off playing at NJCAA or NAIA before transferring to a NCAA college. During this time, students have the platform to establish themselves, build up their statistics whilst proving they can compete at a collegiate standard. This can take up to 2 years.

THE FACTS
  • 3 Divisions within the NCAA. Div I, II, III
  • 1,759 male and female college soccer teams compete within the NCAA Division.

NAIA DIVISION

NAIA colleges normally recruit many international students in comparison to other collegiate divisions. However, coaches may not offer a large scholarship to new international athletes. There is a chance that a student-athletes scholarship may eventually increase over the years, if the athlete performs well for the team.

If the student-athlete has intentions of competing at a professional standard, this is a suitable league; as scouts realise the potential talent of international athletes and observe many of these games.

THE FACTS
  • 376 male and female college soccer teams within the NAIA.
  • 10,284 athletes competing in total.

NJCAA DIVISION

Soccer Assist believes the NJCAA should not be overlooked, as many success stories have started their careers from Junior/Community colleges. NJCAA colleges are initially cheaper compared to NCAA and NAIA.

NJCAA colleges are only 2 years long – then students transfer to a 4-year institute (NCAA or NAIA) to complete their final two years.

THE FACTS
  • 298 college soccer teams in NJCAA.
  • Approximately 8,787 athletes playing soccer in the NCJAA.

THE PROCESS

HOW IT WORKS

We advise potential student-athletes to begin their application process 8-36 months in advance.

Discovery Call

This call allows us to understand your ambitions, academic background and university preferences. Our experienced consultants are on hand to walk you through the U.S process and answer any questions. We will also provide an overview about costs, how scholarships work and the next steps.

Once you fill in an application form please provide a suitable time to call. We do advise at least one parent to be present during the call. In the meantime please read through the information on our website and prepare any questions in advance.

Assessment

Soccer Assist evaluates a student’s sporting ability and suitability for the U.S. route at monthly assessment days* that we host throughout the U.K. On this day, you are provided with NIKE training gear, GPS tracking vest, and Science in Sports supplements. The assessment days consist of 6 different technical sessions, followed by a match. Assessments run for 4 hours and are led by a UEFA A-licensed coach. Following this, we ask each participant to provide anonymous feedback on Trustpilot, which we use to improve our events.

(*fee applies)

Identify and Commit

You are called and informed of their assessment outcome within 48 working hours. Upon success, we schedule an “Identify” call to gather essential information and assess your suitability for the program and if suitable, you will be invited to enrol. Also, prior to the Identify call, you are emailed and asked to consider the following points:

  • Yearly budget (tuition, food & accommodation)
  • Preferred locations (3 U.S. states)
  • Preferred Degree
  • Our program offering and fees

Profile

Once you enrol in our program, a member of the placement team conducts an introductory call to find out your preferences and provide a timeline. 

We create your player portfolio and add to it any existing video footage. You will then be encouraged to participate in monthly showcase matches,  where we take additional video footage of you playing, to create professionally edited promotional videos to share it with the potential U.S. coaches. 

Offers

University offers are generated through both promotion of the player portfolio and in person at the showcase events. The Soccer Assist placement team then provides the relevant information regarding each offer to you before putting in direct contact with interested U.S. coaches. Soccer Assist then provides feedback on each offer, to helps you come to a decision that best fits your needs.

Once you have selected your preferred university, you will be required to sign a letter of intent. This means that you agree to attend that university for 1 year and cannot change your mind and opt for any other.

SAT / Eligibility / VISA

An important part of the scholarship process is achieving a good SAT score.

Securing a SAT score of over 1100 will gain you acceptance into many universities. This test assesses your academic potential through reading, writing and mathematics. Soccer Assist athletes will be provided with SAT preparation pack and online revision material. We advise student- athletes to take the test 12-24 months in advance, to attain their highest score possible. There is an unlimited number of re-sit options with this exam.

If students enrol into a NCAA or NAIA institution, you are required to go through the Clearinghouse process. This is an essential step in becoming eligible to play college sports in the U.S.

Prior to your journey to the U.S you have to be granted a F-1 Student VISA. This will grant you permission to study in the U.S for the period of your college career. Once accepted by your chosen university, the admission team will provide you with the I-20 which will allow you to apply for the F-1 Student VISA.

A VISA process video will be sent to each client, detailing what to expect and take to the VISA interview.

Preparation Camp (Soccer Assist Only)

Prior to departing to the U.S., Soccer Assist delivers an intensive 4-week pre-season camp, which ensures that you are physically fit and ready to perform once in the U.S. In that 4 weeks you train as a professional, receiving over 20 hours per week of UEFA A-level coaching. This is an essential part of the process, because we expect our students to hit the ground running in the U.S. and make a name for themselves. We do not want our students to sit on the bench!

Depart to the U.S

Now it’s time for our students to pack their bags and get ready for the best 4 years of their lives. At this point, their assigned placement consultant will support them throughout their college soccer journey at pre-agreed touchpoints.

Additional Opportunities

Challenger Sports coaching opportunities

Soccer Assist are partnered with Challenger Sports, the number one coaching provider in North America. Through this partnership our students are provided with the opportunity to work throughout the year (mostly breaks) to earn money that can help towards fees or living expenses.

There are a variety of part time and full-time roles available across challenger Sports business divisions (uniforms, tournaments, camps). For our players that have graduated and are in their OPT year, Challenger Sports offers a full year work offering with a pathway into a full time role thereafter.

 

Pro Soccer Combine (PSC)

PSC’s North American academy and showcase programs are headed by Tom Taylor and Simon Deeley. In the last ten years Simon and Tom have been responsible for over 475+ professional player placements in Europe, Asia, Australasia and the United States. They have driven PSC into becoming North America’s most successful combine and placement company and offer a realistic pathway into the professional game.

All Soccer Assist players will receive discounted spaces and access to pro opportunities post college.

All costs below are subject to change.

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

The following are a list of costs that are not included within Soccer Assist’s service fee that may be worth consideration. Please note, that not all will be applicable to you:

UNIT AND APPROX PRICE

Flights to the U.S

£400 – £600

The SAT Exam

$60 + additional regional fee

F1 Student VISA

$510

Health Insurance

$300 – $600

NCAA or NAIA Eligibility Centre

$135

Social Costs

£TBC

High School Evaluation

$160

TOEFL

$160

Tuition & Fees

£TBC

Financial Documentation

£TBC

Every U.S college/university requires each enrolling student-athlete to provide proof of support during your time of study (financial eligibility/certified bank statement).

WORKING WITH SOCCER ASSIST

WHY USE A SCHOLARSHIP AGENCY?

Applying independently has its risks:

Understanding the PRocess

Lack of knowledge regarding the process may lead you to make bad decisions.

NEGOTIATING THE SCHOLARSHIP 

You may not be able to negotiate with coaches effectively, to determine the right scholarship for you.

SUPPORT AND ADVICE

Unfamiliarity of the university you are interested in, may lead to selecting the wrong university for you.

U.S COACHES

U.S coaches are known to work with credible agencies when selecting student-athletes.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY TO THE U.S. WITH SOCCER ASSIST

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Still have some questions?

REQUEST A CALL BACK

Our consultants are on hand to guide you every step of the way, we endeavour to contact all enquiries within 24 hours.

Phone: +44 (0) 1908 470 516
EMAIL: [email protected]

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