How to find soccer scholarships for international girls in the USA?

I'm an international student looking to play college soccer in the USA, specifically as a female athlete. What steps should I take to find scholarships? Are there particular programs or schools that might be more welcoming?

Here's a process you could follow to find scholarships as an international female soccer athlete:

1. Start with NCAA and NAIA: These two organizations are the most well-known for university sports, including soccer, in the United States. They both offer scholarships for student-athletes, so start by identifying colleges and universities that have soccer programs within these organizations. You can do this by using the NCAA Soccer or the NAIA Women's Soccer directories.

2. Reach out to College Soccer Coaches: Start reaching out to college soccer coaches at schools you're interested in. Be prepared to share video clips of your soccer playing, as well as your athletic and academic resume.

3. Get a Physical Profile: If you're really serious about getting recognized, then it might be beneficial to get a professional physical profile done. A physical profile typically includes vital stats such as speed, agility, strength, and overall athleticism. It's a document that you can submit along with your application and videos to college coaches.

4. Apply to Soccer Camps: Soccer camps can be a great opportunity for exposure to college coaches. Many universities hold soccer camps in the summer and these camps often provide opportunities to get scouted.

5. Financial Aid from Schools: Keep in mind that universities themselves offer scholarships based on merit and need, and these can considerably reduce your education costs. Make sure to look at schools that have robust financial aid programs in addition to their athletic scholarships.

6. Search through Appily: Appily is a scholarship search engine that allows you to filter by different criteria, including for international students. You can look for scholarships that are specific to soccer and international students.

One other thing worth mentioning is the Title IX legislation, which requires gender equity for boys and girls in every educational program that receives federal funding. The existence of Title IX has led to an increase in female sports programs, so many American universities may be more welcoming to international female athletes than you expect!

The key to finding scholarships, however, is to start early and not be afraid to showcase your talent and achievements, both in the classroom and on the soccer field. Happy Hunting!