Sports Scholarship FAQs

Commonly asked student questions are answered below. If you have a question of your own that is not answered here, please ask us.

How many scholarships are available?: Every year, the UK branch office is able to offer applicants around 250 scholarships from American universities. Half of these are given to the earliest applicants, the remaining half is awarded to those applicants with the best academic record. The chances to obtain a scholarship are particularly high if you apply early: this means that applications for the Fall Semester (end of August) should be submitted by January-April, applications for the Spring Semester (beginning of January) should be in by June-August of the preceding year. The respective actual application deadline is June 30.
Is my scholarship secure by enrolling on the International Showcase?: Even though the Showcase keeps a 100% success rate in obtaining scholarships for its participants, the institutions' sports departments determine the scholarships to be awarded. Thus, we cannot guarantee a scholarship to its participants until they are selected in the USA. In the unlikely event that a participant would not receive any scholarship offers from the participating institutions, you are allowed to participate in the next edition without charge or you will get a 100% refund of the total programme fee.
When does the Showcase take place? In which U.S. States are the host universities located?: The International Showcase takes place in Florida each July. Every year, the location of the scheme is established based upon the participating institutions' recruitment objectives. In the past, the hosting states have been located in the Southeast region of the United States.
How many universities participate? What intercollegiate leagues are represented?: Between 55 and 85 universities represented by their 'Athletic'(Sports) and Admission Departments participate in each edition of the Showcase. These institutions are renewed every year depending on their recruitment needs and objectives. Due to the number of participating institutions at the Programme, every intercollegiate league such as NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA are represented among others.
When can I begin or continue my university studies in the USA?: Once selected by a university, participants may begin or continue their studies in January (Spring) or August (Fall) of each year. Participants may enrol in classes in August; immediately after the programme is finalized.
May I transfer previous university work to the USA institution?: Yes. However, each class taken along with its academic programme must be evaluated by the American institution to determine its equivalency to the American system
Is my scholarship for one year or does it cover the career?: Institutions have two established policies regarding scholarships. Scholarships are either unchanged through the university career or based on performance. In the last case, the professionals responsible for the academic and sports department conduct an assessment of each student-sport's person performance. The result of this evaluation serves to determine if the scholarship is increased or decreased for each student. Generally, most of the institutions participating in the Program offer scholarships for the duration of the university career granted that performance is kept as established.
What type of visa do I need to participate in the Programme in the USA?: We require that all participants of its Programmes follow the requirements and procedures established by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).For the scholarship Showcase, participants from the UK do not need a tourist or student visa. Once selected and offered a scholarship by an institution, the immigration status must be changed to a student's visa. To this end,we assist participants in obtaining all necessary documentation to be presented to the institution for admission. The institution then issues an I-20 form which must be personally presented by the beneficiary at the American embassy in the UK (country of origin) in order to obtain the student visa. More information about a visa can be found here.
May I work in the USA?: Every institution has its own rules regarding this matter but students may work as long as they follow the regulations imposed by the U.S. government with regards to international students.
When and how can I apply?: You can apply by filling in our online enquiry. We will then check if you are eligible for the programme and give you specific information as soon as possible. You can also call us on +448456034054
Why are these universities willing to offer across-the-board scholarships to international students?: For universities it is important to increase the number of international students for the following reasons: - A high international student ratio increases the university’s prestige - American students benefit from scientific and cultural exchange with foreign students - The number of international students is an advantage in the universities’ struggle for enrolments and funds
How good are the universities that offer scholarships?: We cooperate with universities that have a demand for international students. As a rule, this is not a sign of lesser quality, but rather typical of the universities’ location and renown. We only cooperate with accredited universities, which guarantees that they can offer high-quality education. The colleges and universities range in size from 1000 to 20.000 students, and include large State Universities as well as smaller, private colleges.
Is the SAT Test necessary?: Yes, if you want to apply for an university you'll have to complete the SAT exam. You can register for the SAT at the CollegeBoard webstie. There are testing centres throughout the UK. Learn more about SAT.
Why is the contract necessary?: The contract gives each party legal certainty that the arrangement of scholarships will take place only as stipulated in the contract. It therefore warrants that you only pay if you receive scholarship offers. Should one party fail to fulfil its contractual duties, the other party can enforce them by legal action.
Which subjects can I study?: Have a look on our list of degrees, or at our Academic Career page.
When do the semesters begin?: The Fall Semester starts mid-August/ beginning of September and lasts until mid-December. Spring Semester starts in the beginning or middle of January and lasts until the end of May.
When are my semester breaks?: The Fall Semester lasts from the end of August until Christmas, the Spring Semester from the beginning of January until the end of May. From June until the end of August you can either take additional courses or leave campus for summer break.
For which reason are scholarships awarded?: For generations, American universities have had college teams in all kinds of sports. These teams are professionally managed by specially employed coaches and serve as an advertisement for the respective university in numerous competitions. If a team has regional or even nation-wide success, the media will cover its development. That is why college teams are a means to market the university in order to recruit new students. For this reason, the universities provide the coaches with a budget to recruit talented athletes from around the world and help them finance their studies up to their Bachelor degree.
Which requirements do I have to meet to be able to study in the USA?: The fundamental requirements that have to be met in order to be able to study with a sport scholarship are the same as those when studying without such a scholarship. To be admitted as a regular student in the USA, you need to have graduated from high school with a degree equalling the one awarded after the 12-years of US high school. Should you already be a university student, you may also enrol and the credits you have already achieved in your course of study are usually generously acknowledged. In these cases, however, a few complicated regulations regarding the age limits and playing licenses for sports scholarships need to be observed.
Where will I live as a holder of a sport scholarship?: Just as all other athletes on campus, you will be housed in a student dormitory. Sometimes there are even special athletes’ dormitories accessible to athletes only – however, that depends on the individual university. In some cases, coaches will also offer you to live off campus and can help with the rent.
Can I loose my scholarship?: You will not immediately loose your scholarship because of a weak performance or injury - the coach might reduce it a little when you do not seem to recover and get back to your old performance. However, you might be deprived of your scholarship if you cheat in exams, if your academic performance is not sufficient for the course of your choice, if you play unfairly in your sport, if you do not obey the campus regulations, etc.
What is the level of performance of American college teams, and what divisions are there?: American universities play in different divisions, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) I, II and III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). It depends on the size and the number of sponsored sports at the universities, in which division they are competing. The NCAA I is the largest and best division of all, the NCAA II and NAIA are comparable and weaker than the first league. However, there are many NCAA II or NAIA teams that are better than NCAA I teams. The average level, however, is lower. The universities in the NCAA III do not offer scholarships, but nevertheless consist of coached teams.
What academic qualifications do I need?: This is exactly the same as if you were attending a university or college as an ordinary student and depends on the university or college you attend and what course you study. You must meet the normal entrance requirements for that institution and course. We would always recommend that you complete your edcuation up to the age of 18 as this will give you the best options when applying to universities. The various different sporting authorities in the US have set their own academic requirements for competing students. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Five or more different academic subject passes at GCSE grades A-E or Scottish standard grades 1-7. Must include maths, English, science and social studies (history, geography etc.) and have an overall average C or 3 grade. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) An overall average C or 3 grade in GCSE subjects, Scottish standard grades or an alternative qualification such as a GNVQ or GSVQ if the school authorities can confirm that your marks were in the top 50% of the class. National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Those who do not qualify for either of the above but who are talented athletes may be able to gain admission to a junior college. Each college will set its own entrance requirements. Only 25% of scholarships at a junior college can be given to international students.
What does NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA mean?: Unlike many countries where sports are played as part of a club within club leagues, amateur competitive sports in the US are mostly played in collegeleagues. Competing universities and colleges are divided into different divisions based on credentials such as size and curriculum on offer. NCAA The NCAA stands for National Collegiate Athletic Association and is a voluntary organisation through which US universities and colleges govern their athletics programmes. It has more than 1,250 institutions, conferences, organisations and individuals. The NCAA is divided into three legislative and competitive divisions. NCAA I is the largest and strongest division with the most universities. Smaller colleges and universities play in the NCAA II division. The NCAA III division is the weakest and universities in this division do not award scholarships like those in the other two divisions. NAIA The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or NAIA, is much smaller than the NCAA both in terms of member institutions and sports on offer. The level of performance in the NAIA is similar to that of the NCAA II division. However, it is worth noting that because the divisions are ranked by factors other than simply performance, this means that the top teams in the NCAA II can be better than the bottom teams in the NCAA I. NJCAA The NJCAA is the National Junior College Athletic Association. These are essentially preparatory institutions for student athletes to attend with a view to achieving the required results for entrance to a higher level college or university.
What is the level of performance of American college teams, and what divisions are there?: American universities play in different divisions, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) I, II and III, and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). It depends on the size and the number of sponsored sports at the universities, in which division they are competing. The NCAA I is the largest and best division of all, the NCAA II and NAIA are comparable and weaker than the first league. However, there are many NCAA II or NAIA teams that are better than NCAA I teams. The average level, however, is lower. The universities in the NCAA III do not offer scholarships, but nevertheless consist of coached teams.
What SAT result do I need for admission?: This is dependent of which level of university or college you attend. Guidelines for the different sporting authorities are detailed below. NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association The NCAA applies a sliding scale for the minimum SAT scores that are required for acceptance to NCAA Division I colleges. This will be dependent on your average academic grade. The higher your average academic grade, the lower the minimum SAT scores required. So, students who have achieved an average academic grade of B- must obtain a minimum SAT score of 820 points out of a possible 1,600, whilst students with an average academic grade of C must score a minimum of 1010. To compete at NCAA II, you will require a minimum score of 820. NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics You must have a minimum score of 860 on the SAT to compete at a NAIA institution. (If you take the SAT more than once, combining scores is not acceptable.) NJCAA - National Junior College Athletic Association You are not required to the exam for NJCAA colleges.
What is the difference between NCAA and NAIA?: They have different Academic criteria and rules for entry.NAIA are normally smaller private institutions. In terms of soccer, the difference at the top level in standards is very little. A lot of the NAIA teams are very strong and could compete quite easily in the NCAA.The main thing that sets the NCAA apart from the NAIA is that most NCAA D1 colleges have a very large student popultation; some such as Ohio State have more than 40,000 students! Compare this to the NAIA where the average number of students is roughly 2,000.
What is the TOEFL?: The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English language test, which is required for enrolment at any American university if your native language is not English.

​Sports Scholarship FAQs

Sports Scholarship FAQs