Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to
your questions
Below you'll find answers to the most common queries about our services and the scholarship process. If you need more help, feel free to get in touch with our team!
General Information
What is a scholarship?
A financial aid package offered by US colleges to reduce overall costs for students, can be offered on an educational or athletic basis.
Does a scholarship mean I get College for free?
Scholarships can vary in size from full cover to a % of the total cost so unless you are offered a full scholarship there will be a financial commitment required by your family. The size of the scholarship depends on the student’s sporting ability, strength of sporting resume, academic performance and experience. Scholarships can increase in size based on the students’ performance throughout their time at college.
i.e if you accepted a 75% scholarship you would be required to pay the 25% difference. If you perform well this can be increased in years 2,3 and 4.
How much does it cost to attend?
College costs start at £12,000 – $82,000 WITHOUT funding to cover Tuition Fees, Accommodation, Meal Plan, books and fees.
This is why receiving a soccer and or academic scholarship is vital for affordability for families.
For example, if you attend a Junior Colleges costing $16,000 and you receive 50% funding the cost to the student would be $8,000. NAIA, NCAA D2 and NCAA D1 colleges cost usually in the region of $25,000 – $50,000 so whatever percentage of scholarship you receive the family will be left with the remainder of the balance to pay which can be paid monthly or over two instalments per semester.
Is Soccer big in US Colleges?
In a word YES. We estimate there are appx 1400 College soccer programs with a large number running both male & female programs. Squad sizes vary but 24-28 person squads wouldn’t be unusual so that adds up to a lot of roster places and a big nationwide schedule / structure.
How many scholarship offers would be classed as normal?
Anywhere between 1-10
How will we get offers from Colleges?
United Sports USA Soccer create these options for you through our network of contacts across America. Our staff have a combined 44 years’ experience working with student athletes gain scholarships in the USA.
How will I know what offer to accept?
Our staff will help advise each student and their parents/guardians on this. Ultimately the student will decide however we will offer our expert advice and opinion on this to ensure you find the right placement for each of our clients.
Scholarship Details
& Eligibility
What grades do I need to get in the UK to qualify for US college?
Entry requirements for colleges are:
Junior College – graduation from high school with an American grade point average of 2.0, no SAT exam is required.
NAIA – Minimum GPA of 2.3. The NAIA governing body do not require an SAT score. This is test optional for each college withing the governing body
NCAA – Minimum GPA of 2.3. The NCAA governing body do not require an SAT score. This is test optional for each college withing the governing body
GPA ranges from:
4.0 – straight A student.
3.0 – straight B student.
2.0 – straight C student.
NCAA have core subjects a student must have which are:
Mathematics
English
Science
Social science
One additional subject usually a second science, language, social science
How do SAT and GPA affect eligibility?
GPA ranges from 2.0-4.0
SAT minimum requirements for the NAIA are 980 and NCAA 960 however each college sets their own entry requirement.
Maximum SAT score based on maths and critical reading is 1600.
What’s the difference between Junior College, NAIA & NCAA?
Junior Colleges are 2-year programs where a student will complete half the credit of a bachelor’s degree which is termed and associate’s degree in the US.
Junior Colleges are also less expensive than 4-year colleges and can be a cheaper way of completing your first 2 years academically. They also do not have the same entry requirements as 4-year programs so for students it can be a less stressful pathway into higher education.
Upon graduation from Junior College, you will have the option of graduating or transferring to a 4-year college to complete your degree which will take 2 years to do so. Students will therefore take 4 years to complete their bachelor’s degree.
NAIA colleges are typically smaller private 4-year degree schools where you will complete a bachelor’s degree.
NCAA D2 and NCAA D1 are also 4-year degree schools, these can be public or private schools.
Can I transfer between colleges?
Yes. Students can transfer from junior college to an NAIA or NCAA college upon graduation from junior college.
Students can also transfer between NAIA and NCAA colleges; this could be performance based where a student has developed to a level where they can move to a higher playing level.
The reverse can also be applied where a student is finding it hard to get enough game time and the feel a move down a playing level may be in their best interests.
The US college system has a transfer portal where students after agreeing with the coach can enter to move to a new team/college.
What degree can I get?
Colleges in the USA offer a wide variety of courses, and it would be almost impossible not to find a college that offers the major of your choice.
Soccer-Specific
Information
How do they break up that many teams?
Team play in conferences that may have between 8-14 teams in a conference. These teams play in their conference before entering conference championships, followed by regional then national championships. Most teams will be around 20-25 matches in a season.
Colleges hold their soccer season between August and December.
What happens in the Spring semester Jan-May?
Students will continue to train and work on the physical aspects of development while attending classes to finish their academic schedule. With the Fall season August-December being very condensed with games students will take less credit hours in the Fall and more in the Spring to balance the academic workload.
What are the facilities like?
College facilities vary in size and standard from Junior Colleges to NCAA Division 1 level where the is a lot more investment made in facilities due to D1 programs having American Football teams which create a huge amount of income and therefore allow colleges to invest more in facilities across the board.
Colleges offer their own soccer fields, an athletic building which hold gyms, physiotherapy, ice baths, eating facilities, indoor tracks, strength and condition coaches, chill out areas, library for study purposes.
Is there a professional pathway?
Some college players will work their way into professional game but College soccer in US should be viewed as a life experience and a great opportunity to combine high level education alongside playing the sport you love at a good level at good facilities. The game is growing in the US and with the 2026 world cup around corner that will only continue.
Logistics & Living
What will I do for accommodation?
Students live on campus in halls of residence. Students have the option of moving off campus if they choose to do so from years 2-4. Any scholarship associated with housing should they wish to move off campus can be used to pay rent.
Do I need a Visa?
YES. Students require and an F1 student visa to study in the USA. An F1 student visa last for 5 years and as of 2024 the costs are:
Sevis fee $185
DS-160 fee $350
Can I stay in the US after my education is complete?
It is possible to stay in the US upon graduation however you will require a sponsor for a working Visa which is called an OPT visa which will allow you to work in the US for 1 year.
An H-1B visa is also an option however you will need a company to sponsor you for this type of visa.
