Are there many American sport scholarships for international students?

I'm really into sports and considering studying in the U.S. Are there a lot of sports scholarships available for international students? How can I improve my chances of landing one of these scholarships?

Absolutely, many U.S. colleges and universities do offer athletic scholarships to international students. The process is very competitive since athletes across the world apply. Here are some steps to get you started:

1. Excel in Your Sport

Your first step is to be exceptional in your sport. College coaches are looking for standout athletes who can improve their teams. It's particularly important that you compete at the highest possible level in your home country so you get the chance to showcase your abilities.

2. Create a Highlights and Skills Video

Coaches usually can't travel globally to watch international players, so they'll rely on a strong highlights reel that showcases your skills and abilities.

3. Meet Eligibility Requirements

You'll need to meet academic and eligibility requirements set by organizations like the NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA depending on the collegiate athletic organization of your target school. This typically includes maintaining a certain GPA and completing specific coursework.

4. Reach Out to College Coaches

You can be proactive and email college coaches to express your interest in their program. Providing them with your athletic highlights, academic record, and achievements can help garner attention.

5. Get a Good SAT/ACT Score

Good SAT/ACT scores can increase your chances of landing a scholarship. Most colleges use these scores not only for admission, but also when considering scholarship allocations.

6. Use Sports Scholarship Websites

There are specific websites that help connect student-athletes to colleges, athletes such as Appily or BeRecruited and certain ones that specialize in international students such as Next College Student Athlete.

In terms of specific scholarships for international athletes, it would vary by institution. I recommend looking at each school's athletic scholarship page for more information. Do keep in mind that your scholarship could cover anything from a small portion of your tuition to the full cost of attendance including tuition, room and board, books, etc. It all depends on the sport, the division level, and the school.

Lastly, always verify your information with the aid offices of the universities you're applying to and make sure to meet all their deadlines. Good luck!