Savanna Hoffman
There are athletic scholarship opportunities available for international students who want to pursue their academic and athletic goals. Thousands of international student-athletes bring their talents to U.S. colleges every year, with over 25,000 international students competing across the three divisions of the NCAA. Athletic scholarships are offered at the NCAA Division I and II levels, as well as at the NAIA and NJCAA levels. In addition to the U.S., countries like the U.K., Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand also offer sports scholarships for international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international student-athletes in the US | Over 25,000 |
| Organizations governing the US collegiate sports system | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) |
| Types of scholarships | Athletic, Academic, Non-academic |
| Scholarship coverage | Full-ride, Partial |
| Scholarship providers | Macquarie University, University of the West of England, University of Strathclyde, University of Nottingham, University of Chester, University of Sussex, Bond University, Swansea University, Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur, University of St. Thomas, Grinnell College, Eckerd College, New Jersey Institute of Technology |
| Countries | Australia, United Kingdom, Malaysia, United States |
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What You'll Learn
International athlete scholarship opportunities in the US
International athletes can avail themselves of athletic scholarship opportunities in the US. Thousands of international student-athletes bring their talents to US college sports every year. Athletic scholarships are available at over 2,500 American schools across all governing bodies and divisions, including NCAA Division 1 and 2, NAIA, and NJCAA two-year community colleges.
NCAA Division I and II are the most popular sectors for domestic and international athletes. NCAA Division I scholarships are quite competitive, with applicants able to choose from a range of sports, including basketball, golf, rowing, tennis, football, softball, diving, gymnastics, swimming, and many more.
Other scholarship sectors include NAIA, which has less stringent regulations, making it easier for international athletes to apply for scholarships. The NJCAA is the governing association of community college, state college, and junior college athletics throughout the United States.
International athletes may qualify for athletic and academic scholarships, as well as financial aid. Athletic scholarships can be full or partial, and typically cover only a portion of the school's tuition, room and board, and fees. However, there are other financial aid and scholarship opportunities available for high-academic students or those with specific criteria. Academic scholarships are usually given to students with a strong GPA, test scores, or high class rank.
To increase your chances of receiving an athletic scholarship in the US, it is recommended that you start your research early, approximately 18 to 24 months before you plan to attend a university in the country. You should also graduate from secondary school or high school, and find your country in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) International Standards for Student Athletes. Creating a sports CV or resume that includes your athletic accomplishments and recording videos of your performance can also be helpful.
Additionally, you can seek assistance from organisations like U.S. Sports Scholarships, which has helped thousands of student-athletes from over 30 countries with their placement at over 800 American and Canadian schools. They offer a free online application and provide a revolutionary online University Database that enables athletes to search for suitable schools.
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Academic and non-academic scholarships
International students can apply for both academic and non-academic scholarships. Academic scholarships are typically awarded to students with a strong GPA, test scores, or high class rank. For instance, the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship Program offers scholarships to 11 exceptional Asian students to study at Wesleyan University in the US. Similarly, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a popular scholarship program for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the US for a year or more.
Non-academic scholarships are also available for international students with a robust list of extracurriculars, leadership roles, and volunteer work. For example, the Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur offers sports scholarships to outstanding athletes, including international students who have represented their state or country in sports competitions. Additionally, the University of Strathclyde offers a Postgraduate Taught Performance Sport Scholarship to assist students in fulfilling their academic and sports potentials, providing academic flexibility, world-class sports science support, and financial assistance.
International students can also explore other scholarship opportunities, such as the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, which provides financial support to students from developing countries with no other means of financial aid. The East-West Center Scholarships and Fellowships are another example of scholarships aimed at international students from the Asia-Pacific region who wish to study in the US.
It is important to note that full scholarships for international students are rare, and the amount of scholarship money received depends on academic background, area of study, and the specific college or university. Additionally, international athletes can explore athletic scholarships, as mentioned earlier, and other financial aid options like private loans or institutional aid offered by colleges and universities.
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Full and partial scholarships
Full scholarships cover tuition, housing, and other expenses, while partial scholarships help offset costs. Athletic scholarships are offered at the NCAA Division I and II levels, as well as at the NAIA and NJCAA levels. NCAA Division III colleges do not offer athletic scholarships, but nearly 80% of Division III student-athletes receive some form of financial aid.
International students can increase their chances of receiving athletic scholarships by gaining exposure to college coaches through camps, showcases, and highlight videos. It is also important to start the application process early, as it is competitive and requires careful planning. Students should research schools carefully and ask about scholarship opportunities for their particular sport.
In addition to athletic scholarships, international students may also qualify for academic scholarships based on their GPA, test scores, or class rank. Non-academic scholarships are also available for students with a strong list of extracurriculars, leadership roles, or volunteer work.
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Eligibility and recruitment process
International students seeking athletic scholarships to study in the United States must navigate a complex recruitment process. While there are thousands of international student-athletes competing across the three divisions of the NCAA, benefiting from the US's robust collegiate sports system, the application process is competitive and requires careful planning.
International student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if they want to play sports in any of the three NCAA divisions. NCAA Division I and II schools offer athletic scholarships, with Division I and II schools distributing over $3.8 billion annually in scholarships to more than 195,000 student-athletes. NCAA Division III colleges do not offer athletic scholarships, but almost 80% of Division III student-athletes receive some form of financial aid. Athletic scholarships are also offered at the NAIA and NJCAA levels.
Before reaching out to coaches, students should research each school's athletic and academic requirements. Important questions to ask include: Does the school offer full or partial scholarships for a particular sport? What are the admission and academic requirements? Are there other international student athletes at the school?
Athletic scholarships are often decided by the coaching staff, so it is important to connect with the coach and make a strong impression. Students can do this by attending camps or showcases, sending highlight videos, and initiating conversations via email or video call.
International athletes may also qualify for academic scholarships, which are typically given to students with a strong GPA, test scores, or high class rank. Non-academic scholarships are also available for students with a robust list of extracurriculars, leadership roles, and volunteer work.
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Scholarships in the UK and other countries
There are several scholarships available for international students who are athletes and want to study in the UK or other countries.
Scholarships in the UK
The University of Stirling offers one of the largest high-performance sports programmes in the UK, with its International Sports Scholarship Programme offering financial support of up to £5,000 per year. The scholarship is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students who have demonstrated excellence in their sport.
The University of Wolverhampton offers three types of sports scholarships with two tiers—Gold and Silver. Each package provides a financial award of £500 for Silver and £1,000 for Gold, as well as a tailored range of support services, including gym membership and physiotherapy.
The University of Liverpool, in partnership with Kaplan International Colleges, offers sports scholarships to international students. Similarly, the University of Nottingham offers a Sports Scholarship valued at £2,500, while the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, offers a Postgraduate Taught Performance Sport Scholarship that provides academic flexibility, world-class sports science and medical support, and financial assistance.
Other universities in the UK that offer sports scholarships include Swansea University, the University of Chester, the University of Sussex, and the University of the West of England.
Scholarships in Other Countries
Outside of the UK, there are also several scholarships available for international student-athletes.
Massey University in New Zealand offers the Academy of Sport Scholarships program for students with a record of high achievement in sport. Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, offers a Sports Scholarship for international applicants undertaking a bachelor's degree. Bond University in Australia also offers postgraduate bursaries for international students.
In the United States, U.S. Sports Scholarships has helped thousands of student-athletes from over 30 countries with their placement at American and Canadian schools. There are sports scholarship opportunities at over 2,500 American schools, including well-known universities such as UCLA.
These are just a few examples of the many scholarships available for international student-athletes in the UK and other countries. Each scholarship will have its own specific criteria and application process, so be sure to research and apply to the ones that best fit your needs and qualifications.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, athletic scholarships are available for international students.
There are thousands of scholarships available at over 800 American and Canadian schools. The NCAA is the largest organization that governs intercollegiate athletics and does so across three divisions. Athletic scholarships are offered at the NCAA Division I and Division II levels, as well as at the NAIA and NJCAA levels.
The requirements vary depending on the institution and the specific scholarship. However, athletic scholarships are often based on athletic ability and potential, while academic scholarships are typically given to students with a strong GPA, test scores, or class rank.
It is important to start the process early, as it is competitive and requires careful planning. Research the schools and the specific requirements for international student-athletes. Connect with coaches and send them highlight videos. Consider working with a recruiting agency that has experience sending student-athletes to U.S. schools.
Yes, the University of Strathclyde in Scotland offers a Postgraduate Taught Performance Sport Scholarship for students to fulfill their academic and sports potentials. The University of Nottingham in the UK offers a Sports Scholarship for high-achieving domestic and international athletes in any sport. In the US, the New Jersey Institute of Technology has a significant number of international student-athletes receiving athletic scholarships.
