If you're a talented soccer player looking to continue your education while playing the sport you love, you'll want to consider the many colleges and universities that offer soccer scholarships. With so many options available, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. To help you in your search, we've compiled a list of the top five colleges for soccer scholarships.
1. Stanford University
Stanford University is an excellent choice for soccer players who want to receive a full athletic scholarship. This scholarship covers all tuition, health and documentation fees, room and board, supplies, personal expenses, travel, and required textbooks. However, it does not cover Cardinal Care, the university’s student health insurance. Stanford also permits outside scholarships to be accepted, as long as they meet certain university rules. Recipients must be free to use the outside scholarship funds at any educational institution and the benefactor cannot be affiliated with Stanford. Additionally, the scholarship must not be provided by a third-party sports organization or team with a competitive sports program, and student-athletes must discuss receiving outside aid with Compliance Service to ensure compliance with cost-of-attendance regulations.
2. University of California Los Angeles
UCLA's men's soccer program offers full scholarships, athletic training, and student services. The university awards its athletic scholarships based on students' academic and athletic ability only, and covers tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. Every year, more than 280 full athletic scholarships are awarded, including to soccer players, and are funded through ticket sales, donations, partnerships, and media contracts. UCLA has strict recruitment procedures that prohibit communication with high school students who aren't in junior high by September 1. For qualified high school students, the recruitment process can be initiated by contacting a UCLA soccer coach through phone, email, or submitting a recruiting questionnaire.
3. Michigan State University
Michigan State University's men's soccer team, the Spartans, have a successful record, competing in Division I NCAA competitions and the Big Ten Conference. Their athletics scholarship program covers 26 sports, with head coaches having the authority to request partial or full scholarships for student-athletes. The full athletic scholarship covers tuition, fees, textbooks, room, and board, while the partial scholarship covers some of these expenses. Scholarships are evaluated based on academic and athletic ability, and both full and partial scholarships are valid for one year only, reviewed and renewed annually based on the university's policies, the NCAA, and the Big Ten Conference. Renewal information is provided during the spring checkout meeting, with notifications sent out by July 1.
4. Texas A&M University
The Texas A&M Aggies women's soccer team has an impressive record, making 20 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Texas A&M also offers athletic scholarships to deserving students through its Department of Athletics, such as the A&M-Texarkana Athletic Scholarship. To be eligible, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain an active participant of the soccer team. The head coach and Director of Athletics have a significant role in selecting and renewing these scholarships, making them an essential part of the university's commitment to supporting student-athletes.
5. Florida State University
The Florida State Seminoles women's soccer program is highly competitive, with two College Cup championships and consistent top 10 rankings in the NCAA Division I. To become a Seminole, applicants must pass a rigorous admissions evaluation that includes an assessment of their academic records, course rigor, resume, essay, and senior schedule, as well as their athletic record and ability if they are applying to the soccer program. Students can receive scholarships that cover part or all of their tuition costs, with in-state student-athletes receiving $21,208 and out-of-state student-athletes receiving $35,870 in scholarship
Pursuing a college education while playing soccer can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be financially difficult. Thanks to athletic scholarships offered by several universities, student-athletes can achieve their academic and athletic goals without breaking the bank. The top five colleges for soccer scholarships listed above provide excellent scholarship opportunities for student-athletes who want to pursue their passion for soccer while also getting a quality education. Consider these colleges as you begin your search for the perfect school that will help you achieve your dreams on and off the field.