01 · The five roads
Five roads, one decision
There are three main associations: the NCAA (Divisions I, II and III), the NAIA and two-year junior colleges (NJCAA, known as JUCO). They differ in level, scholarships and academic rules. Pick one to see what it means for you.
Pick a road
NCAA Division I: the top level
The biggest programs and budgets. Since July 2025, schools that opted into the House settlement work with roster limits (28 in soccer) instead of scholarship caps, and can fund every player. Whether they do is each school's decision.
213 men's · 350 women's
Rosters of up to 28; each school decides how many are funded
16 core courses and a 2.3 core GPA, certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center
Fits players already competing at a very high level, with grades in order and the Eligibility Center registration done early.
NCAA Division II: level and balance
Strong soccer with more room for studies and life outside the team. Scholarships are split across the roster, and most awards are partial and often combined with academic aid.
9.0 per men's team · 9.9 per women's team
16 core courses and a 2.2 core GPA
Partial athletic aid plus academic aid
Fits good players who want minutes and a balanced life, and players with strong grades who can add academic aid.
NCAA Division III: academics first
No athletic scholarships. Aid comes from grades or financial need, and at strong academic schools it can still be significant.
None
Academic or need-based
Each school's own process
Fits players for whom the degree comes first and whose grades open academic aid.
NAIA: the other association
A separate association with smaller schools and its own NAIA Eligibility Center. Players often find more minutes from their first year.
Up to 12 per team, men and women
2.3 GPA, or two of three: 2.0 GPA, top half of class, ACT 18 or SAT 970
Split scholarships, often with academic aid
Fits players who want to play from day one in a smaller environment.
JUCO: the two-year springboard
Two-year junior colleges (NJCAA). You play, improve your level, grades and English, then transfer to a four-year university.
D1: full possible · D2: tuition, fees, books · D3: none
High school graduation
Transfer to NCAA or NAIA, meeting transfer rules
Fits players whose grades or English need one more year before an NCAA or NAIA program.
02 · Scholarships
How much each road can fund
Maximums per team, not promises. In every division except D3 the athletic scholarship can be combined with academic aid.
D1: at schools in the House settlement each school decides how many of its 28 players get aid. JUCO D1 has its own limits.
03 · How to choose
Four honest questions
What is your level today?
Compare yourself with players already in the division you want, not with your best match.
How are your grades?
They decide whether you can play in year one and how much academic aid you can add.
How is your English?
Most schools ask for the Duolingo English Test, TOEFL or IELTS.
What can your family invest?
Scholarships are maximums per team, not promises. Knowing your budget early saves months.
Most international players end up choosing between two or three divisions, not one. That is why the first step is an honest evaluation of where you stand.
04 · Common mistakes
Four mistakes we see often
Aiming only at Division I
Many good players land better scholarships and more minutes in Division II, the NAIA or a JUCO first.
Registering late
International transcripts take time to review. Start with the Eligibility Center in your second-to-last year of school.
A video without context
Coaches want to see you in full matches, not only your best three moments.
Leaving English for the end
Book your English test early so it does not hold up admission.
05 · Our players
Where our players went: 4 D1, 2 D2
Different levels, different roads. Each one chose between real options after an honest evaluation.
06 · Questions
Quick answers
Can an international player get a full scholarship?
It is possible: Division I schools in the House settlement can fund full scholarships and NJCAA Division I schools can offer them. But each school decides, and where scholarships are split (Division II and NAIA) many awards are partial and combined with academic aid.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Not for NCAA initial eligibility since 2023. Some universities may still ask for it for admission, and the NAIA can use it in its two-of-three path.
Can I go from JUCO to the NCAA?
Yes. Many players move from a two-year college to a four-year university, as long as they meet the academic transfer rules.