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Athletic Scholraships - What Every Parent & Athlete Need to Know

Updated: Dec 5, 2023

Are you an international student looking to pursue an athletic scholarship in the United States?

If so, you're in luck! There are many opportunities available for international students to earn athletic scholarships at American high schools and colleges. On the other hand, if you're a parent of an international student looking to send your child to the United States for their education and athletics, you may have a lot of questions about the process.

Here's everything you need to know about athletic scholarship opportunities for international students:

Athletic scholarships are available at both high school and college level

The majority of athletic scholarships are awarded by institutions to students who participate in intercollegiate athletics, although there are some exceptions such as being a student-assistant.

If you’re an athlete, you may be eligible for a scholarship from a college, post grad program or a high school. These scholarships may be based on athletic ability alone or on academic achievement in conjunction with your athletic prowess.

Athletic scholarships can be used to pay for tuition, room and board, books, or other expenses incurred while attending college. These awards typically cover the cost of attending one institution only. If you choose to transfer schools mid-year, you will have to reapply for any additional financial aid that is available through your new school.

In addition to athletic scholarships, as part of their overall financial aid packages for students who need help paying for college, academic institutions often work on creating packages that include grants and loans as well as traditional scholarships that do not require repayment once you graduate from college. Some schools offer merit-based scholarships that don’t require athletic participation but reward academic performance instead.

International students are eligible for athletic scholarships, just like domestic students

International students are eligible for athletic scholarships, just like domestic students. In fact, there are thousands of international students who receive athletic scholarships every year and are recruited by U.S. colleges and universities to play sports such as basketball, soccer and volleyball..

There are two different types of athletic scholarships:

Full Athletic Scholarships — These are full rides that cover all costs associated with attending college: tuition, room & board, books and fees.

Partial Athletic Scholarships — These are partial scholarships that only cover some or part of the cost of attending college.

In general, international students must meet the same requirements as domestic students when it comes to athletic scholarships. For example, in order to receive an athletic scholarship at a university or college in the United States, you must be able to prove that you have what it takes athletically by performing well on practice fields and in competitions as well as inside the classroom.

To be eligible for an athletic scholarship, international students must meet academic and athletic requirements, as well as English language and Math proficiency requirements

To be eligible for an athletic scholarship, international students must have completed high school (or equivalent), have a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet the NCAA's minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).

All college-bound athletes must also submit an official transcript from their home country if they want to play for an American university after graduating from high school. The NCAA requires that all post-secondary schools participating in intercollegiate sports provide an educational opportunity similar to that offered by the institutions that they represent.

To receive NCAA eligibility certification, international student athletes must provide official transcripts from all secondary schools attended outside of the United States on both paper and electronic formats, in addition to the following:

A certified copy of your final high school transcript;

A certified copy of your official SAT or ACT score report;

Many colleges and universities offer athletic scholarships for a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, soccer, and more

It's common for colleges and universities to offer athletic scholarships to athletes who excel in a particular sport. Colleges and universities can offer scholarships in any sport, including football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis and more.

If you're a young athlete who is looking for an athletic scholarship for college or high school, you'll need to compete against other athletes for the available spots. Many schools offer athletic scholarships for a variety of different sports.

In order to get an athletic scholarship at a college or university or high school, you'll need to be good enough at your sport that coaches want you on their team. Some schools have very specific requirements for the types of students they'll accept into their programs while others are more open-minded about what they'll take on board. If you want to apply for an athletic scholarship at one of these institutions, make sure that your grades are up to par so that they'll accept you!

It's important to start the process early, as it can take time to research and apply for athletic scholarships

Athletic scholarships are a great way to pay for education. The good news is that they're available to just about everyone. The bad news is that they require a lot of work and commitment on your part.

It's important to start the process early. The earlier you can get started on your college applications, the better your chances of getting accepted into a school you want to attend. When you apply early, especially if you're applying for an athletic scholarship, you'll have time to improve your grades and test scores before they're needed by colleges. You can also use this time to build up your resume and get involved in extracurricular activities that will impress coaches and admissions officers alike.

If you're an international student looking to earn an athletic scholarship in the United States, or a parent of an international student considering this option, it's important to do your research and understand the process. With the right resources and preparation, you can find the perfect athletic scholarship opportunity to help you achieve your goals.

Don't wait until it's too late! The early bird gets the worm! Start applying today!

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