How to apply for a soccer scholarship at a Florida community college?

I'm a high school junior interested in playing soccer at a Florida community college. Does anyone know how to apply specifically for a soccer scholarship at these institutions? Any advice on what they're looking for?

One option is to start your search by identifying community colleges in Florida that have soccer programs. You can often find this information by visiting the college's website or contacting the admissions or athletic office. From there, an athlete's first step in scholarship hunting is typically to start with contacting the soccer coach at the college of interest. You want to get on their radar early on and express your interest in joining their team. Share your achievements and skills, as well as your academic strengths.

Remember that you're applying not just to play soccer but to be a student as well, so your academics are just as important, if not more so. Most athletic scholarships are tied to academic performance, so keep your GPA high and showcase any academic awards or honors you've received.

You should create a sports resume that includes personal info (name, contact info, date of birth), your academic information (GPA, test scores, relevant courses), athletic stats (position, years of experience, awards, and achievements), and references (such as your current coach). Again, your academics matter so make sure to highlight them.

Additionally, consider assembling a highlight reel of your soccer playing. This should be compiled from game footage and practice runs that show off your skills and abilities on the field. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a video can be worth thousands more.

In terms of what they're looking for, it typically includes skill in soccer, good teamwork, and strong academics. Everyone can say they're good at soccer, they're a great team player, they're dedicated, and so on. What separates the good candidates from the great ones is evidence. Are you playing on a high-level club team? Have you won any awards or recognitions? Do you have stats to back up your performance?

Remember that not all financial aid is athletic scholarships. Be sure to also apply for other types of aid (both need-based and merit-based grants), which can stack with athletic scholarships to make college even more affordable.

In summary, communicate with the college soccer coach, keep academics strong, build a sports resume, send a highlight reel, and apply for other financial aid. Note that each college might have a slightly different process, so always double-check the college's specific requirements.