01 · Short answer
Can you play college soccer in the US from Brazil?
To play college soccer in the US from Brazil you need your level on video, your Certificado de Conclusão do Ensino Médio with the Histórico Escolar, an English test, a clean amateur record and an F-1 visa. You do not need ENEM, the vestibular or the SAT for NCAA eligibility. Because you graduate in December, plan around the US calendar, which starts in August.
02 · Your school years
Your Brazilian school years, in American
The NCAA counts from the ninth year of schooling. In Brazil that is the last year of Ensino Fundamental, followed by the three years of Ensino Médio:
9º ano
= 9th grade. The NCAA asks for transcripts from this year onwards.
1º EM
= 10th grade (sophomore). Start your video and English.
2º EM
= 11th grade (junior). The key year: shortlist and first offers.
3º EM
= 12th grade (senior). You graduate in December.
The Brazilian school year runs from March to December, the US one from August to May. Most players graduate in December and start in August, with a few months to train, finish the paperwork and sit the English test. Some universities also admit students in January, for the spring semester. See the recruiting timeline →
03 · Grades
What the NCAA asks for from Brazil
Transcripts from the ninth year of schooling onwards, with the Histórico Escolar for the three years of Ensino Médio.
Proof of graduation: the Certificado de Conclusão do Ensino Médio.
A certified, word-for-word English translation of every document, by a qualified translator who is not related to you or to the university. A tradutor juramentado fits.
Your scale matters: Brazilian schools use different scales and minimum passing grades, so the school's scale is checked first. Grades passed through recuperação count as a D in the NAIA table.
No ENEM, no vestibular, no SAT. They are not on the NCAA or NAIA lists of documents. Since January 2023 NCAA Divisions I and II no longer use standardized test scores such as the SAT for initial eligibility. Some universities may still ask for them for admission or academic aid, so check each one.
04 · Técnico, Supletivo, EJA
Técnico, Supletivo, EJA, or already at university
Ensino técnico counts: the NAIA accepts the Certificado de Técnico de Nível Médio with its Histórico Escolar. Supletivo and EJA are accepted as an equivalency diploma, but for the NAIA they count as a 2.0 GPA, which limits academic aid. Homeschooling, distance Ensino Médio and EJA cannot use the class rank route.
Careful if you have already started a degree in Brazil. For the NAIA, enrolling and attending even one course at a university counts as terms of attendance: you would arrive as a transfer student. The NCAA also reviews your time after school. Talk to us before you enroll.
05 · Your level
Which level fits you
There is no table that turns a Brazilian league into a US division. Coaches look at your video, your minutes and your position. As a reference from our evaluations: players who compete regularly in the youth categories of professional clubs or in state championships usually have options in NCAA Division I and II. From amateur football, the realistic routes are usually Division II, the NAIA or a junior college, which is how Lucca Barbero, from Guararema, reached NCAA Division II.
06 · Amateurism
Academies, contracts and allowances
For the NCAA, receiving actual and necessary expenses from a club (meals, lodging, travel, equipment, medical insurance) is allowed. What gets reviewed closely is a professional contract, a salary or payments above your expenses. In Brazil some academies sign youth players to a training contract or pay a monthly allowance. That does not automatically close the door, but tell us exactly what you have signed and what you receive.
The golden rule: do not sign anything from a club before you ask us. A professional contract is not always the end: Yves Vaage signed one in Norway and plays NCAA Division I at Xavier today. Read his case
07 · Scholarships
What a scholarship covers
An athletic scholarship can cover part or all of tuition, housing, meals and books. Division I schools in the House settlement decide how much aid to give a roster of up to 28. Division II allows up to 9.0 for men and 9.9 for women, the NAIA up to 12, almost always split, and Division III gives no athletic scholarships. Good grades can add academic aid on top.
The useful question is not «will I get a scholarship?» but «how much will a year cost us?»
08 · The visa
The F-1 visa from Brazil
I-20
The university sends it when you accept an offer and show you can cover the costs.
SEVIS
You pay the I-901 fee online.
DS-160
The online visa application, then you book your appointment.
Interview
At the U.S. Embassy in Brasília or the Consulates in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife or Porto Alegre.
Book early and check your social media. Student visa applicants go through enhanced vetting that includes a review of their online presence, which takes longer, and F-1 applicants are asked to set their social media accounts to public.
09 · Checklist
Your checklist from Brazil
Tick off what you already have. It stays saved in this browser.
10 · Why GSX
A Brazilian case
GSX was founded by former international college players who made this same journey. Lucca Barbero, from Guararema (São Paulo), went from prep school and two junior college seasons to a starting role at Quincy University.
11 · Questions
Quick answers
Do I need ENEM or the vestibular to go to a US university?
Not for athletic eligibility. The NCAA and the NAIA use your Certificado de Conclusão do Ensino Médio and your Histórico Escolar. A university may still look at other results for admission.
Do I need the SAT?
Not for NCAA eligibility: Divisions I and II removed standardized test scores in January 2023. Some universities may ask for it for admission or academic scholarships.
I graduate in December. When can I start?
Most players start in August, with the fall season. Some universities also admit students in January for the spring semester. Use the months in between to train, finish your English test and close the paperwork.
I play in a professional club's academy. Can I still go?
Often yes. Expenses are allowed; a professional contract, a salary or payments above your expenses get reviewed. Tell an expert exactly what you have signed before deciding.
Where do I do the visa interview in Brazil?
At the U.S. Embassy in Brasília or the U.S. Consulates in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Recife or Porto Alegre. Book early: student visa applicants go through enhanced vetting.
Who helps Brazilian players who want a soccer scholarship in the US?
GSX (gsxmanagement.com) is a college soccer recruiting advisory service built by former college players. GSX works with Brazilian players such as Lucca Barbero, now at Quincy University.