Understanding Soccer Scholarships: What’s Realistic?

For many aspiring college soccer players, and their parents, the term “scholarship” brings to mind one thing: a full ride. But the truth is, the world of U.S. college soccer scholarships is a lot more complex than most people realize.

Whether you’re from the U.S., the UK, Canada, or beyond, it’s important to understand what’s actually available, how it works, and how to position yourself for the best outcome.

In this blog, we break down the key things you need to know, and a few common myths you should leave behind.

💭 Myth 1: Everyone Gets a Full Scholarship

The idea that most athletes get their entire tuition, housing, meals, and books covered through soccer is one of the biggest misconceptions in the recruitment world.

In reality:

• Very few players receive a true “full ride”, especially in Year 1

• Scholarships are often split between multiple players

• Many athletes receive partial scholarships, and then stack them with academic aid or financial grants
  

👉 Full scholarships do exist, but they’re rare, especially at mid- to lower-level programs, or for international players who start as unknowns.

⚖️ How Scholarships Are Structured

Most programs don’t offer just one lump sum of money, instead, athletes receive a package made up of different sources:

✅ Athletic Scholarship

• Offered by the soccer program based on your playing ability

• Typically covers a percentage of tuition, room/board, etc.

• Coaches have a limited number and often divide them across multiple players
  

✅ Academic Scholarship

• Based on your grades, GPA, or test scores

• Offered by the admissions or financial aid office

• Often stackable with athletic money
  

✅ Need-Based or International Grants

• Some schools offer extra support for international students or families with financial needs

• You may need to submit additional forms like the CSS Profile or local banking documents
  

🧾 Work-Study & On-Campus Jobs

Even if you don’t receive enough aid to cover everything, many student-athletes find part-time work on campus to help manage costs:

• Working in the gym, dining hall, or bookstore

• Tutoring other students

• Social media roles or working athletic events

For domestic students, this may come through federal work-study. For international athletes, most schools still allow on-campus jobs depending on visa restrictions, usually limited to 20 hours per week during school terms and 40 hours per week out of school terms.

👉 Always check with the school’s international office or HR department before assuming eligibility.

⏳ Year 1 is Usually the Most Expensive

If you're coming in as a new recruit, especially from overseas, you're an unknown.

Coaches may offer you a lower scholarship in Year 1 until they see:

• How you perform on the field

• How you adapt socially and academically

• How committed you are to the program

• That you will stay in the country & not fly home after getting home sick.

But here’s the good news: many athletes earn more in Years 2–4 by proving their value. We’ve seen players go from 20% to 70%+ aid after one strong season.

🎯 Reminder:

Don’t just look at the Year 1 number — look at the trajectory a coach is offering.

🌍 International Athletes: Why Budget Matters Even More

If you’re coming from overseas, the scholarship process works differently for you as you won't be able to get certain scholarships or FAFSA:

❌ No Access to U.S. Student Loans

Domestic players can sometimes cover remaining costs through federal loans or grants. International students cannot — unless you have a U.S.-based co-signer (family or friend) to apply for private loans on your behalf.

🎯 Your Budget Determines Your Options

The world we live in today is very real:👉 The bigger your available budget, the more options you’ll have, especially in Year 1.

Colleges take into account what you can afford — so if your budget is low, your recruitment strategy has to reflect that.

🔄 Can I Still Go with a Low Budget?

Yes — but options will likely include:

• Starting at a junior college (JUCO) to reduce costs

• Playing at a smaller NAIA or NCAA D3 school with academic aid

• Limited scholarship amounts in Year 1, with potential to earn more later

And remember — what you agree to pay in Year 1 is normally NOT what you’ll pay all four years (you can earn more through performance or other scholarships).

That’s why being realistic and transparent about your budget early on is key to finding the right fit — and why working with an agency who understands the system makes a massive difference.

📉 Why Full Rides Are Rare (and Getting Rarer)

Let’s break it down with a simple example:

• NCAA D1 men’s soccer programs can offer 9.9 scholarships

• Most rosters carry 25–30 players

• That means coaches are often giving out 10–15 partial scholarships, not 10 full rides

The same goes for:

• NCAA D2: 9 for men / 9.9 for women

• NAIA: 12 total

• NJCAA: Up to 18 (but many don’t fully fund)

So unless you’re a top-5% prospect or have other aid to combine, you should expect partial aid, not full coverage.

🧠 What You Should Focus On Instead

Rather than asking “Can I get a full ride?” — ask:

• ✅ What is the total cost after aid?

• ✅ Can I get academic money to stack with athletic?

• ✅ Is this a program where I can play early and earn more later?

• ✅ Will this school support me academically and socially, not just athletically?

  
  

Some smaller schools offer better value with academic stacking, even if they’re not big-name programs.

At Primus, this is a core part of our strategy — helping athletes find opportunities where they can grow into bigger scholarships over time, not just chase the biggest Year 1 offer.

🟡 Final Thoughts: Think Bigger Than Just the First Offer

A soccer scholarship is a fantastic opportunity — but it’s also a business decision for coaches and a long-term investment for players.

The athletes who succeed aren’t just the ones who get offers — they’re the ones who understand the system, make smart choices, and prove their value once they arrive.

Ready to build your pathway — not just chase a headline?

👉 Learn more at PrimusSportsPartners.com Let’s build your scholarship journey the smart way — not the shortcut way.