FAQs Athletic Scholarships in the USA

Athletic as well as academic scholarships are much more common in the US than in most other countries. Sport scholarships are awarded to athletes of outstanding performance in order to enable them to finance their studies in the US. The athlete participates fully in practice sessions with the college team and represents the university in various tournaments and competitions. The coaches’ job is to professionally look after the teams; in this sense, he has a similar position to that of a professor and is also paid accordingly.
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For which reasons are scholarships awarded?

For generations, American universities have had college teams in all kinds of sports. These teams are professionally managed by specially employed coaches and serve as an advertisement for the respective university in numerous competitions. If a team has regional or even nation-wide success, the media will cover its development. That is why college teams are a means to market the university in order to recruit new students. For this reason, the universities provide the coaches with a budget to recruit talented athletes from around the world and help them finance their studies up to their Bachelor degree.
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What subjects can I study with a sport scholarship?

In principle, you can study any subject with a sport scholarship. You simply enrol as a "regular" student at the department of your choice at the respective university or college. The subject you study is completely independent from the sport or the scholarship.
The range of subjects and majors offered in the US is much larger than in most other countries. You are free to choose any combination of subjects offered at the respective university.
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Where will I live as a holder of a sport scholarship?

Just as all other athletes on campus, you will be housed in a student dormitory. Sometimes there are even special athletes’ dormitories accessible to athletes only – however, that depends on the individual university. In some cases, coaches will also offer you to live off campus and can help with the rent.
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Where will I eat?

Most of the time, you can purchase a meal plan, which means that you can have breakfast, lunch & dinner at one of the cafetrias on campus. Many times, the meal plan is part of your scholarship package.
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What is the value of a US university education in other countries?

This question can’t be answered in general. Within the European Union, for instance, through the so-called Bologna convention, the Bachelor degree was introduced, so the US Bachelor is a good choice. Across Europe, the Bachelor is already accepted as a valid university degree; on an international level, however, further coordination between universities is required.
Clearly, the more international a company’s operations are, the more likely it is that it will accept and value a Bachelor’s degree earned abroad. The US educational system is widely regarded as the world’s best, so you surely won’t be taking ill-advised risks if you choose to study in the USA.
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Which requirements do I have to meet to be able to study in the USA?

The fundamental requirements that have to be met in order to be able to study with a sport scholarship are the same as those when studying without such a scholarship. To be admitted as a regular student in the USA,you need to have graduated from high school with a degree equalling the one awarded after the 12-years of US high school. Should you already be a university student, you may also enrol and the credits you have already achieved in your course of study are usually generously acknowledged. In these cases, however, a few complicated regulations regarding the age limits and playing licenses for athletic scholarships need to be observed.
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What kind of colleges offer sport scholarships?

Sport scholarships are offered at community & junior colleges, 4-year colleges and universities. Sport-Scholarships.com usually works with 4-year colleges and universities, unless the client requests something else. There are more than 2,000 institutions of this kind in the United States.
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For which sports are scholarships offered?

Scholarships are offered in the following sports:

Women:
Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rifle, Rowing, Skiing (Cross Country and Downhill), Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Sync. Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor) Volleyball, Water Polo.

Men:
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rifle, Skiing (Cross Country und Downhill), Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling.

All other sports currently do not award scholarships.
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What is the level of performance of American college teams, and what divisions are there?

American universities play in different divisions, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) I, II and III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). It depends on the size and the number of sponsored sports at the universities, in which division they are competing. The NCAA I is the largest and best division of all, the NCAA II and NAIA are comparable and weaker than the first league. However, there are many NCAA II or NAIA teams that are better than NCAA I teams. The average level, however, is lower. The universities in the NCAA III do not offer scholarships, but nevertheless consist of coached teams.
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What is practice/training like?

For those who would not only like to make their studies abroad possible, but also improve their athletic performance, a scholarship for an American university is just the ticket. Practice is very intense; it usually consists of at least two hours of daily training supervised by coaches and assistant coaches. For the most part, the training sessions take place in the afternoon between 2 and 5 p.m., or after morning classes and before evening classes. Additionally, the teams sometimes do weightlifting and running sessions late at night or in the early hours of the morning. Anyone who thinks he will be able to sit back and relax is quite mistaken. As a rule, practice is rather tough and very professional. Not without reason do many athletes enter the professional arena after four years of college sport.
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How good do I have to be?

Many times, it is not rankings or best times that decide whether you will receive a scholarship or not, it is rather the complete picture of an athlete, i.e. academic background and athletic development that is important. Additionally, the differences in rankings, titels etc. between the countries vary substantially so that only a complete profile with all data available gives the coaches an idea of how good you really are. Besides this, the standards for academic strength vary quite significantly from college to college.
The following estimates for some important sports are based on our experience, but are meant to be only a rough point of reference:
Women:
Basketball: Second Division and better
Soccer: Fourth Division and better
Golf: Handicap 5 and better
Tennis: Third Division and better
Volleyball: Second Division and better

Men:
Basketball: First Division and better
Soccer: Fourth Division and better
Golf: Handicap 3 and better
Tennis: Third Division and better
Volleyball: First Division and better
American Football: Second Division and better

To find out how good your chances are, you need to complete our non-binding and free-of-charge evaluation form.
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What can a scholarship amount to?

You could be offered a full scholarship from a coach. This means that both the tuition fees (study cost) and the costs for food and board (living and meals) on campus are covered. Depending on the status within the college team, you can be given percentages of all costs incurred, mostly being between 30-80 percent. Please be aware: the university will not give you money, it will merely reimburse you for parts of the expenses like tuition fees, board and lodging. You need to pay personal expenses/pocket money yourself, the universities are not allowed to do this.
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Will there be any additional costs at the college in the USA?

In addition to the costs for study, board and lodging, you will of course be responsible for your own expenses such as pocket money, flights home, excursions, insurance, etc.
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For what duration can a scholarship be awarded?

Initially, the scholarships are awarded for one year, although they are usually extended, if the athlete keeps up his performance level and the license to play in the division. The maximum length of time you can study with a sport scholarship is four years if you start studying as a Freshman (1st semester). That equals the length of time you will need to finish your undergraduate studies until you earn your Bachelor’s degree. Should you already be a student and switch to a US university after a few semesters of study in another country, different rules may apply which may shorten the length of time you are allowed to compete on a collegiate level. You should discuss these rules with us before asking us to find you a scholarship.
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Can I loose my scholarship?

You will not immediately loose your scholarship because of a weak performance or injury - the coach might reduce it a little when you do not seem to recover and get back to your old performance. However, you might be deprived of your scholarship if you cheat in exams, if your academic performance is not sufficient for the course of your choice, if you play unfairly in your sport, if you do not obey the campus regulations, etc.
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What is the "NCAA Clearinghouse"?

The NCAA houses its own "Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse", which is responsible for awarding the athletes "license to compete". In order to be allowed to play in the NCAA I or II, you must have registered with Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse decides based on your SAT/ACT results and academic performance whether you are eligible or not. In addition to this, they will check whether you are an amateur athlete in the US understanding. Currently, the NCAA charges $60.- for registration. The Clearinghouse also answers questions concerning the length of your eligibility and in general serves as the final authority when it comes to eligibility.
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What is the SAT-Test?

The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a combination of Math and English tests, which is required for registering at the NCAA Clearinghouse and enrolling at many universities.
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What is the TOEFL-Test?

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English language test, which is required for enrolment at an American university if your native language is not English.
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How can Sport-Scholarships.com be of assistance?

Each semester, the coaches receive hundreds of inquiries from private individuals. Only few of these applications are substantial and reliable, so that one hardly has a chance to be heard. An agency like Sport-Scholarships.com not only serves as a screening company for the coaches, but ensures that the athletes are prepared for all athletic and academic requirements. The basis of Sport-Scholarships.com is the personal contact we have with the coaches as well as the close cooperation with the universities. The entire Sport-Scholarships.com team consists of people who are athletes themselves and keep close contact with the both the German and the American athletic associations, like Ramon Tissler, who was able to build contacts during his college time in the USA, where he was as an athlete and assistant coach.
Furthermore, our close cooperation with universities in academic aspects also contributes to a successful placement of a student at a college.
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Which universities does Sport-Scholarships.com work with?

Sport-Scholarships.com keeps contacts to all coaches of American colleges and universities from East Coast to West Coast. Therefore, a scholarship can theoretically be made possible anywhere in the US. This provides you with the incredible opportunity to find your subject in combination with your sport at an American university. Our service includes promoting your profile to all coaches of your relevant sport – this means that you don’t have to do the work of selecting universities, as all coaches are approached anyways and we forward all offers to you.
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How much does the Sport-Scholarships.com service cost?

The Sport-Scholarships.com service costs 2,550€. The fee will be charged after the athlete has successfully enrolled at a US university of his/her choice. If you choose to terminate the contract after signing up with the company, a 150€ service charge will be charged instead of the full fee.
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What are my obligations?

The financial risk of the Sport-scholarships.com service is limited to 150 Euros, besides 200 Euros for having a professional service edit your sport video.
We screen all applicants and will only work with those who have realistic schloarship chances in our eyes.

You will have obligations if you want to take advantage of the Sport-Scholarships.com service. Your obligations are the following:
- you take the TOEFL and SAT Test on time so that their result should be available at least 6 months before the desired start of study.
- you send pictures (portrait and in action) as well as a video to complete your athletic profile
- you update the information in your profile regularly
- you inform us if you have made a commitment to a coach or if you don't want to study in the US any more.
If you do not deliver all information in adequate form and time, the Sport-scholarships.com service will be terminated from our side.
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When are the fees for the placement due?

We will charge you our fee after you've successfully enrolled at the college of your choice, this means after you've received the I20 form of the chosen institution.
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What are my chances of starting a career in the professional arena after college?

Several former college athletes can be found among the world’s best athletes. This shows that being a member of a college team significantly boosts your chances of starting a career as a professional athlete. The intense daily practice sessions at college, under the tutelage of a professional coach, is an ideal preparation for a career in the professional arena.
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Scholarship-Ticker

Value of Scholarship-Offers
for our Clients in
the Year 2009/2010

over 20.400.000 US$

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