College Soccer Scholarships in the USA: How They Work
A college soccer scholarship can help make studying and playing soccer in the United States significantly more affordable.
But understanding scholarships isn’t always straightforward.
Athletics aid can vary enormously between universities, divisions, teams and individual players. A player’s final financial package may also include academic, merit-based, need-based or other institutional aid alongside any soccer scholarship.
And importantly, the NCAA Division I scholarship system has changed significantly following the House settlement.
So whether you’re a U.S. high-school player, an international player, a JUCO player or already competing in college soccer, here’s what you need to know about college soccer scholarships in the USA.
What Is a College Soccer Scholarship?
A college soccer scholarship is athletics-based financial aid provided by a university to help a student-athlete pay for college.
Depending on the offer and university, athletics aid can contribute toward expenses such as:
- Tuition and fees
- Housing
- Meals
- Course-related books
- Other education-related expenses
But one of the biggest misconceptions about college soccer is that every scholarship is a full ride.
It isn’t.
The NCAA itself notes that most student-athletes receiving athletics aid receive partial rather than full scholarships.
The amount available to an individual soccer player can depend on factors including the university, division, available funding, position and the team’s needs.
How College Soccer Scholarships Work by Division
Understanding the division you’re considering is important because scholarship rules differ significantly across NCAA Division I, Division II and Division III.
NAIA and NJCAA programs operate under their own rules as well.
NCAA Division I Soccer Scholarships
Division I underwent a major change beginning in the 2025–26 academic year following implementation of the House settlement.
Under the new model, Division I institutions participating in the settlement system no longer operate under the previous sport-specific scholarship limits.
That means the old figures frequently quoted online — including 9.9 scholarships for men’s Division I soccer and 14 for women’s Division I soccer — should not be presented as the current rule for participating schools.
Instead, participating Division I programs operate under roster limits.
For both men’s and women’s soccer, that roster limit is currently:
28 players.
Participating institutions have the option to provide scholarships to players across that roster rather than being constrained by the old soccer-specific scholarship cap.
Does that mean every D1 soccer player gets a full scholarship?
No.
This is an important distinction.
A university being permitted to provide more scholarships does not mean every soccer program has the financial resources — or chooses — to fully fund every player.
Actual scholarship availability can still vary considerably by institution.
So don’t assume:
28 roster places = 28 full scholarships.
When considering a program, find out what financial aid is actually being offered to you.
NCAA Division II Soccer Scholarships
Division II continues to use an equivalency scholarship model.
Current NCAA limits for soccer are:
Men’s soccer: 9.0 scholarship equivalencies
Women’s soccer: 9.9 scholarship equivalencies
These scholarships can be divided among multiple players.
For example, rather than providing nine players with identical full awards, a program can distribute its available athletics aid across a larger group of student-athletes.
The exact amount offered to each player therefore varies.
Academic scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid can sometimes be combined with athletics aid depending on the player’s circumstances and university rules.
NCAA Division III Soccer Scholarships
NCAA Division III schools do not offer athletics scholarships.
That means a Division III soccer coach cannot give you an athletics scholarship simply because you’re a talented soccer player.
However, that doesn’t automatically make Division III expensive.
Division III students may still receive:
- Merit-based aid
- Need-based aid
- Academic scholarships
- Other institutional financial assistance
The financial package at some Division III universities can therefore still be attractive.
The important distinction is that the financial aid isn’t an athletics scholarship.
NAIA Soccer Scholarships
NAIA soccer programs operate separately from the NCAA and can also offer athletics-based financial aid.
Scholarship availability varies by university and program.
As with NCAA schools, players shouldn’t judge an opportunity solely by the headline scholarship percentage.
What matters is the actual amount your family would need to pay after all confirmed financial aid has been applied.
JUCO and NJCAA Soccer Scholarships
Junior colleges can provide another route into U.S. college soccer.
Depending on the NJCAA division and institution, athletics aid opportunities can differ.
For some players, JUCO provides an opportunity to:
- Enter the U.S. college system
- Gain college playing experience
- Develop academically
- Build college match footage
- Transfer to a four-year NCAA or NAIA program later
A player’s financial situation at junior college should therefore be considered alongside their longer-term plan.
Full vs Partial Soccer Scholarships
One of the most important concepts for families to understand is the difference between a full scholarship and a partial scholarship.
A full scholarship may cover most or all of the major costs associated with attending college, depending on exactly what is included in the award.
A partial scholarship contributes towards those costs but leaves a remaining amount for the student and family to fund.
Partial scholarships are common in college athletics.
This is why asking:
“What percentage scholarship did I get?”
isn’t always the best question.
Instead ask:
“What will my actual annual cost be after all confirmed financial aid?”
That’s the number that ultimately matters.
What Can a College Soccer Scholarship Cover?
Depending on the institution and financial-aid package, athletics aid may contribute toward:
Tuition
The cost of your academic courses.
Housing
Your accommodation while attending university.
Meals
Often provided through a university meal plan.
Books and academic expenses
Certain course-related costs may be included.
However, don’t assume every expense is covered simply because someone uses the phrase “full scholarship.”
Ask for a clear breakdown of:
- Tuition
- Mandatory fees
- Housing
- Meals
- Books
- Health insurance
- International student fees
- Other expected costs
Then calculate the amount you’re actually responsible for.
How Do Coaches Decide Who Receives Soccer Scholarships?
There isn’t a universal formula.
Scholarship decisions can be influenced by several factors.
Playing Ability
Ultimately, coaches need players who can contribute to their program.
Your current level and potential will therefore matter.
Position
Roster needs change.
A program urgently looking for a goalkeeper or centre-back may approach its available funding differently from a team already carrying several players in that position.
Current Roster
Graduations, transfers and other roster changes can influence what a coach needs in a particular year.
Available Funding
Not every soccer program has identical financial resources.
Two universities competing at the same NCAA level can therefore offer very different financial packages.
Academics
Strong academics can potentially open additional forms of university financial aid.
That can make a significant difference to the overall cost.
Athletic Scholarships and Academic Aid
Your soccer scholarship doesn’t necessarily represent your entire financial package.
Some student-athletes receive a combination of:
Athletics aid + academic/merit aid + grants or other eligible financial assistance.
The NCAA notes that athletics scholarships are only one part of the financial picture and that student-athletes may combine athletics aid with other forms of financial assistance where applicable.
Academic and merit scholarship criteria vary considerably between universities.
And importantly, don’t assume every academic scholarship requires an SAT or ACT score.
Individual universities establish their own criteria.
We’ve covered this separately in our guide:
Do You Need the SAT for College Soccer?
International Student Scholarships
International players shouldn’t assume that every U.S. university automatically gives an “international scholarship.”
Some institutions offer scholarships, grants or other institutional aid for international students.
Others don’t.
The amount and eligibility criteria vary by institution.
So rather than assuming you’ll receive additional money simply because you’re an international student, ask the university’s financial-aid or international admissions office what awards you actually qualify for.
For UK and Irish players considering the U.S. pathway, read our complete Football Scholarships USA Guide.
Men’s vs Women’s College Soccer Scholarships
Scholarship structures can differ between men’s and women’s soccer, particularly at NCAA Division II.
At Division I institutions operating under the post-House settlement model, both men’s and women’s soccer currently have a 28-player roster limit, replacing the previous sport-specific scholarship caps for participating institutions.
At Division II, the current maximum equivalency limits are:
Men: 9.0
Women: 9.9
Women looking specifically at the scholarship pathway can read our comprehensive Women’s Soccer Scholarships in the USA Guide.
Can You Get a Full Soccer Scholarship?
Yes, full or very substantial financial packages can exist.
But they shouldn’t be treated as the standard outcome.
Most NCAA student-athletes receiving athletics aid receive partial rather than full athletics scholarships.
Your final package can depend on:
- Your soccer level
- The university
- Available athletics funding
- Academic profile
- Financial need
- Other scholarships or grants
- The program’s roster needs
Rather than beginning the process with:
“I need a full ride.”
It can be more useful to establish:
“What can my family realistically afford each year?”
You can then evaluate opportunities against that figure.
Example of a College Soccer Financial Package
Imagine a university has a total annual cost of:
$45,000
A player’s confirmed package might hypothetically include:
Athletics aid: $20,000
Academic/merit aid: $10,000
Other eligible institutional aid: $5,000
Remaining annual cost:
$10,000
That is why simply saying someone received a “50% soccer scholarship” doesn’t necessarily tell you whether the opportunity is affordable.
Always look at the net cost.
This example is illustrative only; actual awards and how different forms of aid can be combined vary by institution and student circumstances.
Are Soccer Scholarships Guaranteed for Four Years?
Don’t assume that they are.
NCAA athletics scholarships are typically awarded on a year-to-year basis, and renewal isn’t automatically guaranteed. The NCAA also provides protections around reductions and non-renewals, including written-notice and appeal provisions.
Before accepting an offer, understand:
- The duration of the award
- Renewal conditions
- Whether the amount can change
- What happens if you’re injured
- What happens if the coach leaves
- What happens if you stop playing
- Academic requirements
- Any other conditions attached to the aid
If something is important to your decision, get clarity in writing.
Can Your Scholarship Increase?
Potentially, but never assume it will.
A coach may have different funding available in future years, but circumstances can also move in the opposite direction.
If you’re offered a financial package, make your decision based primarily on the terms that are actually confirmed rather than assuming you’ll receive more money later.
Does a Scholarship Guarantee Playing Time?
No.
Financial aid and playing time are separate issues.
Receiving a substantial athletics scholarship doesn’t guarantee that you’ll start — or even play regularly.
Players still compete for places.
That’s why you should evaluate more than money when considering a program.
Think about:
- Current players in your position
- Returning starters
- Incoming players
- Tactical system
- Coaching environment
- Your potential role
- Opportunities to develop
A slightly cheaper college isn’t automatically better if the soccer environment is wrong for you.
Likewise, a larger scholarship isn’t automatically the best opportunity.
College Soccer Scholarships for International Players
International players compete for many of the same college soccer opportunities as U.S. players.
However, there are additional considerations.
You may need to navigate:
- International academic records
- NCAA or NAIA eligibility
- University admissions
- English-language requirements where applicable
- Student visa requirements
- Travel
- Health insurance
- International student fees
- Exchange-rate changes
For NCAA Division I and II, international players need the appropriate academic and athletics certification through the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Understanding the total cost is particularly important when your family is paying in pounds, euros or another currency.
How to Improve Your College Soccer Opportunities
Scholarships aren’t simply awarded because you create a profile.
A coach first needs to determine whether you could fit their soccer program.
Make it easy for them to evaluate you.
Your player information should clearly communicate:
- Position
- Current club/team
- Playing level
- Height
- Graduation or college entry year
- Academic information
- Playing history
- Highlight footage
- Full-match footage
If you’re starting the process, read our College Soccer Recruiting Guide.
You can also read our guide to creating a College Soccer Highlight Video.
Compare the Whole Opportunity
When offers begin arriving, avoid comparing them solely by scholarship percentage.
Compare:
Annual net cost
How much will you actually pay?
Soccer opportunity
Where could you realistically fit within the roster?
Academic opportunity
Does the university offer the course you want?
Location and campus
Could you see yourself living there?
Development
Will the environment help you improve?
Financial sustainability
Can your family realistically afford the remaining cost for the duration of your degree?
A college decision involves much more than the headline scholarship number.
Build Your College Soccer Profile with Locker23
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- Playing information
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- Highlight video
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Frequently Asked Questions About College Soccer Scholarships
Do NCAA Division I soccer programs still have 9.9 men’s and 14 women’s scholarships?
For Division I institutions operating under the House settlement model, no. The old sport-specific scholarship limits have been removed and replaced with roster limits. Men’s and women’s soccer currently have a 28-player roster limit at participating institutions.
How many scholarships does NCAA Division II soccer have?
Current NCAA Division II equivalency limits are 9.0 for men’s soccer and 9.9 for women’s soccer. These can be divided among multiple players.
Does NCAA Division III offer soccer scholarships?
No. NCAA Division III institutions do not offer athletics scholarships, although students may qualify for other merit-based or need-based financial aid.
Can international players receive college soccer scholarships?
Yes. International student-athletes can receive athletics aid where the institution, division rules and individual circumstances permit it. They also need to satisfy the relevant admissions and eligibility requirements.
Do you need the SAT for a soccer scholarship?
There is no current NCAA SAT/ACT requirement for Division I or Division II initial eligibility. Individual universities can have their own admissions and financial-aid requirements, so check the institutions you’re considering.
Is a full soccer scholarship common?
Full athletics scholarships exist, but the NCAA states that most student-athletes receiving athletics aid receive partial scholarships rather than full rides.
Can athletic and academic scholarships be combined?
Potentially. The way different types of aid can be combined depends on the division, university and individual student’s circumstances.
What’s more important: scholarship percentage or final cost?
The final annual cost is generally more informative. A large percentage scholarship at an expensive university could still leave a higher family contribution than a smaller scholarship at a less expensive institution.
Final Thoughts
College soccer scholarships can make studying and competing in the United States significantly more affordable, but there is no single scholarship model that applies to every player.
Division matters.
University funding matters.
Your academic profile matters.
Your soccer ability and the team’s roster needs matter.
And the headline scholarship percentage doesn’t necessarily tell you what the opportunity will actually cost.
The most useful number is often much simpler:
What will I actually have to pay each year?
Understand that figure, understand exactly what your financial package includes, and then consider it alongside the soccer, academic and personal fit of the university.
BUILD YOUR PROFILE. SHOWCASE YOUR GAME. GET DISCOVERED.
BUILT FOR SOCCER. ONLY SOCCER.
