How many scholarships are there for college soccer players?

I'm a junior thinking about playing soccer in college, but I'm wondering how many scholarships are available for college soccer players? Are there specific numbers for different divisions or schools?

In the United States, scholarships for college athletics, including soccer, are regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA divides schools into three divisions (DI, DII, DIII), and their scholarship opportunities differ significantly.

For NCAA Division I, men's soccer teams can offer up to 9.9 scholarships (which will increase to 28 beginning in the 2025-26 academic year), while women's soccer teams can offer up to 14 (also set to increase to 28 in 2025-26). These scholarships can be divided among the team members in any way the coach sees fit, so not every Division I athlete will be on a "full ride."

NCAA Division II schools have fewer scholarships to offer. For men's soccer, the limit is 9, and for women's soccer, it's 9.9. Like Division I, these scholarships can be divided among the team.

NCAA Division III athletics, however, does not offer athletic scholarships, but athletes can still receive academic scholarships or need-based financial aid.

Scholarship opportunities also exist outside of NCAA schools, such as in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). NAIA schools can offer up to 12 scholarships for both men's and women's soccer, which can be divided among multiple athletes. NJCAA schools, or community colleges, can offer up to 18 full scholarships for both men's and women's soccer.

Keep in mind these numbers are maximums, not guarantees. The actual number of scholarships available can depend on a school's budget, philosophy, or how they balance their aid across different sports.

In addition to these athletic scholarships, remember also to consider other sources of funding to finance your college education such as academic scholarships, grants, or work-study programs.

This NCAA guide can be your starting point to understand all the essential details about college athletics scholarships. I recommend you to reach out to prospective coaches, college advisers, or financial aid experts to discuss your options further.