Scholarships...
Finding a sports scholarship - You can go through an agency but if you do make sure you check them out and not just on the Internet but also with Trading Standards in the town where the company operates and Companies House to see what problems are highlighted there.
For football (Soccer) I can recommend SoccerIcon (http://www.soccericon.net/) but they are not cheap. It's ran by former Chelsea FC Captain Joe McLaughlin who sets up show case games around the UK, has them professionally videoed and invites coaches from Colleges and universities around the USA to attend. The coaches who can't attend can assess a player's suitability online via the SoccerIcon website. My son attended a few of these events so I know how well they are organised from first hand experience. Do I get a commission for writing this? I wish! But no.
Another option is Pass4Soccer (http://www.pass4soccer.com) they are a "Not of Profit" organisation and "are official supporters of and chosen US soccer scholarship consultants to British Colleges Sport (BCS), England Colleges Football, English Schools' FA and their member coaches and educators". So give their website a check out to see if they fit your needs.
An alternative option is to approach a college or university yourself via email or travel to the USA and attend tryouts in person. The tryout are around $50 but can go up to $100+ depending on how good the team is but this is a very expensive option (approx £700 per person for flights alone excluding hotel, car hire and food costs) so not something for the average family, unless it is tied to a holiday plan I would suggest.
Emailing coaches is very time consuming and an easier option but be prepared to provide some video footage of you playing a number of games preferably showing off your soccer skills to their best. If you can have it videoed at height so the coach sees your ball awareness skills too then even better. But without some proof of your abilities you will find it difficult to get accepted easily.
Note: No matter your level of playing ability you will also need to have a good academic record or better.
Academic Scholarship -
I will need to admit a limitation here with regards to academic scholarships as I haven't had any experience of sending my sons on one but they are normally subject related for example Science, Mathematics, Religion, etc and you would be expected to have a high level of understanding of your chosen subject. Again check out the college or university of interest to see what they will accept.
Scholarship Acceptance - Once the college or university makes you an offer of a scholarship or placement then you will be issued with a confirmation letter and Form I-20A-B Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status which you will need at your American Embassy interview, so keep it in a safe place.
For Academic or Language Students or I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (M-1) Student Status Form.
Schools and instutions which have received United States Government approval to enroll foreign students have the authority to issue these forms. The I-20A-B or I-20M-N is not valid for travel unless accompanied by a valid visa.
For football (Soccer) I can recommend SoccerIcon (http://www.soccericon.net/) but they are not cheap. It's ran by former Chelsea FC Captain Joe McLaughlin who sets up show case games around the UK, has them professionally videoed and invites coaches from Colleges and universities around the USA to attend. The coaches who can't attend can assess a player's suitability online via the SoccerIcon website. My son attended a few of these events so I know how well they are organised from first hand experience. Do I get a commission for writing this? I wish! But no.
Another option is Pass4Soccer (http://www.pass4soccer.com) they are a "Not of Profit" organisation and "are official supporters of and chosen US soccer scholarship consultants to British Colleges Sport (BCS), England Colleges Football, English Schools' FA and their member coaches and educators". So give their website a check out to see if they fit your needs.
An alternative option is to approach a college or university yourself via email or travel to the USA and attend tryouts in person. The tryout are around $50 but can go up to $100+ depending on how good the team is but this is a very expensive option (approx £700 per person for flights alone excluding hotel, car hire and food costs) so not something for the average family, unless it is tied to a holiday plan I would suggest.
Emailing coaches is very time consuming and an easier option but be prepared to provide some video footage of you playing a number of games preferably showing off your soccer skills to their best. If you can have it videoed at height so the coach sees your ball awareness skills too then even better. But without some proof of your abilities you will find it difficult to get accepted easily.
- Excellent sportsperson playing at a high level - Will be accepted into all academic institutes;
- Average sportsperson - average players can still make the team check with the college or university of interest;
- Below average sportsperson - they might struggle but check with the institute of interest to see what they will accept.
Note: No matter your level of playing ability you will also need to have a good academic record or better.
Academic Scholarship -
I will need to admit a limitation here with regards to academic scholarships as I haven't had any experience of sending my sons on one but they are normally subject related for example Science, Mathematics, Religion, etc and you would be expected to have a high level of understanding of your chosen subject. Again check out the college or university of interest to see what they will accept.
Scholarship Acceptance - Once the college or university makes you an offer of a scholarship or placement then you will be issued with a confirmation letter and Form I-20A-B Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1) Student Status which you will need at your American Embassy interview, so keep it in a safe place.
For Academic or Language Students or I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (M-1) Student Status Form.
Schools and instutions which have received United States Government approval to enroll foreign students have the authority to issue these forms. The I-20A-B or I-20M-N is not valid for travel unless accompanied by a valid visa.