How Can You Get a Soccer Scholarship in the USA?

How can you get a soccer scholarship in the USA?

To get a soccer scholarship, you need a college program that sees a place for you on its team and is willing to offer financial support. Your playing level matters, but so do your grades, graduation year, position, budget and the opportunities at that particular school.

There is no standard scholarship amount for every player.

What does a soccer scholarship cover?

An athletic scholarship can reduce your college costs. Depending on the school, academic or other financial aid may also be available.

Most players should plan around a partial award rather than assume tuition, housing, meals and every other expense will be covered. Compare what your family would actually pay after all confirmed aid.

NCAA Division I and II schools can offer athletic aid. Division II commonly divides its athletic scholarship budget among several players. Division III does not award athletic scholarships, although other forms of aid may be available.

The NAIA and junior colleges offer additional routes with their own rules. At Division I schools that opted into the 2025 House settlement, roster limits replaced sport-specific scholarship limits; that change does not guarantee an award or a roster place.

Learn more about NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA.

1. Start with an honest assessment

A coach needs to understand your club and competition level, position, graduation year and potential role in the team.

Your school background affects admission and athletic eligibility. Discuss what your family could realistically contribute each year, too.

Our free First Check gives us a starting point for a personal assessment; it is not a scholarship offer or a promise that a college will recruit you.

2. Prepare your soccer and academic profile

If you decide to pursue college soccer, a clear player profile and useful match footage help coaches assess you. Academic records, your intended course of study and your planned start date matter as well.

NCAA, NAIA and junior college eligibility requirements differ, while each university makes its own admissions decisions.

Men's and women's soccer programs can have different recruiting needs, budgets and available roster places. Compare individual teams and their needs for your position instead of assuming that the same approach or financial package works everywhere.

3. Find programs that fit and speak with coaches

The aim is to identify schools that fit your soccer level, education, finances and preferred college experience.

Coaches can assess your profile and footage, ask questions and discuss their program. Interest from a coach is encouraging, but it is not yet an offer, a confirmed team place or admission.

4. Compare the complete written offer

When a school makes an offer, ask for its terms in writing. Check athletic and academic aid, total annual cost, what your family must pay, conditions for renewal and your expected team role.

A larger scholarship at a more expensive university can still leave you with a higher bill. Review the full package before deciding where to study and play.

How Plus31 Sports guides your journey

Getting a scholarship involves more than sending a highlight video. Before you start a paid recruiting journey with us, we discuss your goals, playing and academic background, timing and family budget, then assess which options may be realistic.

This initial conversation and assessment help you decide whether and when to begin.

Once you choose to start, our guidance follows the full journey:

1. A plan built around you

We review your soccer level, grades, preferred studies, timeline and budget together and turn them into a personal recruiting plan. The right list of schools depends on your situation, not a promise of a particular scholarship.

2. A player profile and match video

We collect your sporting and academic information, build your recruiting profile and prepare a highlight video from suitable footage. Coaches need a clear view of your level and how you play.

3. Academics and eligibility

We review school reports, identify relevant tests and documents, and guide you through registrations and eligibility steps for your pathway. The college and governing body make their own decisions.

4. Suitable schools and coaches

We look for programs that fit your soccer, education, preferences and budget. We introduce you to relevant coaches, share updates and follow up as conversations develop; an introduction alone does not mean a scholarship offer.

5. Calls and campus visits

We help you prepare questions for coaches and discuss what you learn from calls, team conversations and visits. You can weigh the people and environment alongside the financial offer.

6. Offers and decisions

We help you compare the confirmed athletic and academic aid with the full cost of attendance. Where appropriate, we discuss terms and help your family make an informed choice about sporting, academic and financial fit.

7. From commitment to departure

After you choose a school, the work continues. We help you track the university application, required documents, eligibility, I-20 and student visa steps, and prepare for your move to the USA.

A verbal commitment alone does not complete admission or visa approval.

8. Support after arrival

We check in as you settle in and remain a familiar point of contact for questions about your transition, team or university life.

Every route is personal, and no agency can guarantee a scholarship, admission, team selection or visa.

You and your family remain part of the decisions and provide the information and documents each school requires.

Want to explore your options? Complete the free First Check, or read more about college soccer in the USA.