Football scholarships in the USA: how a season in Spain can help
What football gives a young player, and the steps towards a US college scholarship.
Football teaches discipline, teamwork and how to handle pressure, and for many young players it is also a way to study at a US college with a scholarship. This guide explains how that path works and where a season in Spain fits.
What football gives a young player
- Habits: training, rest, food and organising study time.
- Independence, especially when living away from home.
- A new language and friends from many countries.
- Learning to win, to lose and to keep going.
The steps towards a US scholarship
Grades
Colleges and the NCAA look at academic results. Keep studying while you train.
English test
Most colleges ask international students for an English test such as TOEFL or Duolingo English Test.
Eligibility
For NCAA Division I and II, players register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Video and competition
A good highlight video from real matches is what coaches watch first.
Contact with coaches
Write to the coaches of colleges that fit your level and grades, with your video and results.
Where Spain fits
A season in Spain gives daily training, official competition and match video, while the player keeps studying. Several TNGS players have gone on to US colleges with scholarships. We do not promise scholarships: we help the player arrive at that moment better prepared. See our results.
Frequently asked questions
Which US colleges give football (soccer) scholarships?
NCAA Division I and II, NAIA and junior colleges (NJCAA) can give athletic scholarships. NCAA Division III does not give athletic scholarships, although many colleges offer academic aid.
Does training in Spain help to get a scholarship?
It can help: daily training, real competition and good video make a player more visible to college coaches. But grades and English also count, and nobody can guarantee a scholarship.
When should we start?
Ideally two years before university: grades, English test, highlight video and contact with coaches take time.