College Football Scholarships for International Students - How Do They Work?

I'm an international student looking to play football in the U.S. What do I need to know about college football scholarships for international students? Are there specific requirements or processes to be aware of?

One of the most exciting aspects of American college life is the prominence of collegiate athletics, and it's amazing that you are considering this path! College football scholarships for international students work much the same way as they do for U.S. citizens, but there are several additional steps an international recruit must take.

The first thing to understand is the eligibility requirements set forth by the NCAA, which is the governing body for collegiate athletics. Part of the eligibility process includes a review of your academic standing. The NCAA will look at your grades from the past four years and will convert non-U.S. grades to U.S. equivalents. To be eligible, you must have completed 16 core courses, with four years of English, two years of math, two years of natural/physical science, one additional year of English/math/science, two years of social science, and four years' worth of additional courses from any of the previously discussed categories, or foreign language, religion, philosophy, or nondoctrinal religion courses.

As an international student, you'll be required to take either the SAT or ACT, paying close attention to the specific cutoff scores required by the NCAA for eligibility. Please be aware that Dartmouth, Harvard, Purdue, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech will require SAT or ACT scores.

The next step is to get a physical exam and ensure that you have health insurance that will cover you in the U.S. Additionally, having game footage available for recruiters to watch is a major advantage in the recruitment process. You might also consider attending recruitment camps in the U.S., as it can offer you the chance to impress recruiters in person.

As for scholarships, keep in mind that availability varies based on the level of play (Division I, II, or III), and individual universities. Division I and II schools can offer scholarships, but Division III schools can't provide athletic scholarships; they can offer financial aid based on other factors like academic merit or financial need.

Remember, even if you land a scholarship, it may not cover the full cost of attendance. Be sure to understand exactly what a scholarship covers and use the net price calculator of each school you're interested in to help estimate the cost.

Navigating the U.S. college athletics scene from abroad may seem intimidating, but thousands have done it successfully, and with the right research and preparation, you can too! Best of luck as you pursue this path.