Partial & Full Funded Scholarships

The most often asked question for any family and prospective student athlete in a college athletics recruiting process is how much potential money they can obtain both athletically and academically. It's a tough question to answer, as every student athlete will be unique unto themselves. Though, the most prominent factor is in finding the right fit. It's a bit of a loaded term that you thrown out by recruiting companies, though out of all the wish wash of information out there, truly, finding the right fit academically and athletically is the key to unlock the potential for greater scholarship opportunities. 

How does Upper 90 College assist with scholarships? 

It's a great question, and as we mentioned above, the real sweet spot for any student athlete is about finding them the right fit both academically and athletically. Trying to find that fit yourself can be very haphazard. Coaches you email, never reply back, your top 5 schools feel you're not the right type of player for them, maybe you're just looking to narrowly, and not expanding your search. It can be an uncomfortable process, though, what we've found with over 13 years in the game of recruiting players to college soccer programs specifically is that recruiting is both an art and a science...and always note, there is no real 'perfect' fit, but with some expert guidance, we can get pretty close to it! 

Upper 90 has worked really hard over the years to create very streamlined process, and worked tirelessly to make sure that we build our network with college coaches that we have a great relationship with via our recruiting services. Ultimately, the right fit, will be able to garner you a strong scholarship offer, though there are other important steps you can take to help maximize your chances of gaining either a healthy scholarship package. In this article we'll discuss the difference between partial and full funded college scholarships, how different governing bodies in college athletics provide scholarships, and what you can do as a student athlete to help maximize your scholarship opportunities. 

What is the difference between partial and full funded scholarships?

College soccer in the USA offers various levels of athletic scholarships to talented student-athletes. These scholarships come in two forms: partial scholarships and full scholarships. Understanding the difference between the two and the factors that influence the amount of scholarship awarded is important for student-athletes seeking to play college soccer while minimizing the financial burden on their families.

Partial scholarships provide only a portion of the cost of tuition, fees, room, and board. This means that student-athletes must find other sources of funding to cover the remaining expenses. The amount of partial scholarship awarded varies greatly, but typically ranges from 25% to 75% of the total cost of attendance.

Full scholarships, on the other hand, cover the entire cost of tuition, fees, room, and board. Full scholarships are rare in college soccer, as the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA have limits on the number of full scholarships that can be awarded. This means that student-athletes who receive full scholarships are considered elite and have a strong chance of competing at the professional level.

How many scholarships are available across the different college athletics governing bodies?

The NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA each have their own set of rules and regulations regarding athletic scholarships. In the NCAA, each sport is allocated a specific number of scholarships based on the number of teams and student-athletes participating in that sport. For example, the NCAA allows a maximum of 9.9 scholarships per men's soccer team and 14 scholarships per women's soccer team.

The NAIA also allocates a specific number of scholarships based on the number of teams and student-athletes participating in each sport. However, the NAIA allows for a more flexible approach to scholarships, as schools are able to offer a combination of full and partial scholarships to student-athletes.

The NJCAA, which governs junior college athletics, allows for a maximum of 18 full scholarships per men's and women's soccer team. Junior college scholarships are a great option for student-athletes who may not have received a scholarship from a four-year college or university.

What are the key factors college coaches look for when deciding scholarship amounts?

In addition to athletic ability, college coaches look for several key factors when determining the amount of scholarship to award to a student-athlete. These factors include academic performance, leadership, and character. Good grades are important in maximizing the chance of receiving a scholarship, as coaches want to ensure that student-athletes are able to meet the academic requirements of their institutions.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between partial and full scholarships, as well as the factors that influence the amount of scholarship awarded, is important for student-athletes seeking to play college soccer in the USA. Whether you are seeking a partial scholarship or a full scholarship, it is important to have good grades, be a leader both on and off the field, and have a strong character. By being aware of these key factors, student-athletes can increase their chances of receiving the maximum amount of scholarship possible and achieve their dream of playing college soccer while minimizing the financial burden on their families.

Upper 90 College can assist you in sourcing the very best college soccer opportunity so that you can maximize your chance for a great college scholarship package. Contact us today to find out how!