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If you an athlete and plan to study in the US you need to read this article.

International Student Athletic Scholarships

January 25th, 2014 Jennifer Frankel

Did you know that a number of international students study in the US with a full athletic scholarship? Do you have what it takes to get a sports scholarship to study at a US college or university? If you excel at tennis, basketball, soccer (or football, depending on where you are from), American football, rugby, golf, or any other mainstream sport – then you might have what it takes!

Recruiting Services

There are a number of athletic recruiting services worldwide whose job it is to find athletes to study in the US. Depending on the recruiter, they may cover all sports and divisions – or just a few. Often times, these recruiting agencies are made up of former college players and coaches to assess your level of skill.

Why Get An International Student Athletic Scholarship?

A good number of international students get offered excellent financial aid packages for their outstanding performance. Not only will you get a chance to represent your school in competitions, but you’ll also have the chance to get financial help to fund your studies in the USA. After graduation, you may get recruited to play the sport you love professionally.

US Universities and Colleges and their Relationship with Sports

Most US universities and large colleges have an active on-campus presence, which in some schools center around sports. The institutions typically offer a wide range of sports and participate in a number of competitions. Depending on the division and school, often times the media covers college sports – and thus it is a way for the school to get their brand out there and attact new students to their school.

Minimum Requirements

Most athletic scholarships are awarded to those students completing their undergraduate degree, and the majority of students come right after completing high school. To increase your likelihood, be sure to start the application as early as one year prior to graduation. To be eligible to play for a US college or university team, you must be between the ages of 18 and 24 years old or no further than 6 semesters into your undergraduate degree.

Academics and Athletics Go Hand In Hand

To be awarded an athletic scholarship, you must be accepted into the university or college which means you’ll need to take theSAT/ACT and the TOEFL/IELTS. The coach will be the one to offer the scholarship, and he or she will evaluate not only your athletic ability, but also your academic abilities. Many schools require you to maintain a certain Grade Point Average to continue to play on the team – so it’s important to have excellent academics to go along with your athletics.

Interested in learning more about the various scholarships out there? Check out other scholarship blogs to help fund your education in the USA.

Posted in International Education, International Scholarships, Study in the USA