Women’s Soccer Scholarships: How to Earn One in the US
Women’s soccer scholarships offer talented players the opportunity to compete at a high level while earning a college education in the US. From NCAA Division I programs to NAIA and junior colleges, understanding how scholarships work — and how the recruitment process operates — is essential for athletes who want to get noticed by college coaches.
This guide breaks down how women’s soccer scholarships work, eligibility requirements, and what you can do to stand out during the recruitment process.
How Women’s Soccer Scholarships Work
Women’s soccer scholarships are awarded by colleges and universities to help cover tuition, housing, meals, and other educational expenses. Unlike professional contracts, scholarships are tied to both athletic performance and academic eligibility.
Most scholarships are not automatically offered — coaches must actively recruit athletes and decide how to distribute their scholarship budget across their roster. This means:
- Scholarships can be full or partial
- Awards may vary from year to year
- Coaches often combine athletic aid with academic or need-based aid
Understanding how this system works early allows athletes to approach recruitment strategically rather than relying on luck.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for women’s soccer scholarships, athletes must meet both academic and athletic standards.
Common requirements include:
- A minimum GPA
- Standardised test scores (SAT/ACT, where applicable)
- Amateur status compliance
- Graduation from secondary education
Each organisation (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA) has its own eligibility rules, so it’s important to understand the requirements early and remain academically eligible throughout high school or equivalent education.
How to Get Recruited for Women’s Soccer
Recruitment is not automatic — athletes must be proactive, organised, and visible throughout the process.
One of the most important steps is creating a strong athlete profile that clearly showcases your playing level, academic information, and achievements. Platforms like Locker23 are designed to help athletes build a verified profile, centralise recruitment details, and present themselves professionally to college coaches.
In addition to a strong profile, athletes should:
- Share high-quality game footage that highlights position-specific skills
- Accept and manage college coach requests, allowing coaches to view your profile and recruitment information in one place
- Attend showcases, camps, and tournaments where coaches actively recruit
- Maintain strong academic records to meet eligibility requirements
Many athletes also benefit from expert guidance during the recruitment process. Working with experienced organisations such as Soccer Student Pathway, a Locker23 partner, can help athletes understand scholarship options, identify the right college level, and avoid common recruitment mistakes — especially when navigating the US college system.
Coaches look for players who demonstrate consistency, coachability, and discipline both on and off the field. Using the right tools and trusted support can make the recruitment process clearer, more structured, and significantly more effective.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many talented players miss out on women’s soccer scholarships due to avoidable mistakes, such as:
- Waiting too long to start the recruitment process
- Only targeting Division I schools
- Failing to stay organised during coach communication
- Neglecting academics
- Not understanding how scholarships are distributed
Being informed and realistic about your options significantly increases the chances of securing an offer.
Take the Next Step with Locker23 Premium
Navigating women’s soccer scholarships and the US college pathway can feel overwhelming — but having the right platform makes a difference. Locker23 Premium gives athletes enhanced tools to showcase their soccer profile, manage visibility, and present key information clearly to college coaches.
Upgrade to Locker23 Premium in the app to unlock:
- Advanced profile features
- Enhanced athlete visibility
- Exclusive tools built for serious players
Final Thoughts
Women’s soccer scholarships open doors to elite competition, education, and long-term opportunities — but earning one requires preparation, awareness, and the right support. By understanding how scholarships work, choosing the right pathway, and approaching recruitment strategically, athletes can put themselves in the strongest possible position to succeed.
