Welcome to our essential weekly blog series on college recruitment! Whether you're just beginning your journey or are already deep into the process, this series is designed with you in mind. We'll delve into crucial topics like crafting an impressive highlight video, developing a strategic college list, and mastering the art of securing scholarships. Regardless of where you stand, our series is filled with essential tips and guidance to propel you towards success. Join us every week as we equip you with the insights and tools necessary to confidently navigate the recruitment landscape. 

In Today’s Edition

• The Dual Threat: Combining Athletic and Academic Scholarships!

• 2027 Commitment Alert: New School Added to the DO NOT ATTEND ID Camp List!

🚨 The Dual Threat: Combining Athletic and Academic Scholarships! 🚨

The Perfect Combo: Leveraging Scholarships in Recruiting


For aspiring college soccer players, the dream of playing at the next level often comes with a practical challenge: funding your education. While athletic scholarships often steal the spotlight, academic scholarships can be equally vital. By strategically combining these two funding sources, you can significantly reduce your financial burden and open up more opportunities to play the game you love.

This guide will show you how to leverage both athletic and academic scholarships to create a winning recruitment strategy.

Understanding the Scholarship Landscape

Before building your strategy, it’s essential to understand the two main types of scholarships available to student-athletes.

Academic Scholarships: Your Reliable Foundation

Academic scholarships are awarded based on your classroom performance, including GPA and standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT). Some schools may also require essays or extracurricular activities.

These scholarships are predictable and renewable, providing a stable funding source throughout your college career. As long as you maintain the required academic standing, this money is yours—independent of your performance on the field.

Athletic Scholarships: Performance-Based Awards

Athletic scholarships are awarded based on your talent and potential as a soccer player. Criteria vary depending on the coach, school division, and program needs. Unlike academic scholarships, athletic awards are often partial and renewed annually.

It’s important to note that NCAA Division III schools cannot offer athletic scholarships. However, many DIII schools provide generous academic scholarships and need-based financial aid. If you’re targeting a Division III program, a strong academic record is your best tool for making college affordable.

The Benefits of a Combined Scholarship Strategy

For the Athlete: Financial Stability and Security

Combining athletic and academic scholarships means lower out-of-pocket costs. Full-ride athletic scholarships are rare in soccer, as NCAA teams have limited scholarships to distribute. By adding an academic scholarship to a partial athletic one, you can cover a larger portion of your expenses.

Academic scholarships also provide financial security. They are not affected by injuries, playing time, or coaching changes, giving you a reliable funding source to fall back on.

For the Coach: A Welcome Budget Boost

From a coach’s perspective, recruits with strong academic records are valuable assets. Academic scholarships are funded by the university’s general scholarship fund, separate from the athletic department’s budget.

This allows coaches to stretch their athletic scholarship budget further. For example, a recruit with a large academic scholarship may only need a small athletic award to commit, freeing up funds for other key recruits.

Calculating Costs and Long-Term Value

Not all scholarship packages are created equal. It’s crucial to look beyond the initial offer and calculate the true cost of attendance.

For instance, an 80% scholarship at a private university might still leave you with a higher bill than a 50% package at a public state school. Calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and compare the total net cost across your top choices to find the best financial value.

Also, consider the sustainability of each award. Academic scholarships usually remain as long as you meet GPA requirements, while athletic scholarships depend on annual renewal and team performance.

How Strong Academics Maximize Your Recruitment Potential

Coaches value players who excel both on and off the field. A strong GPA and test scores show discipline and the ability to handle the demands of being a student-athlete.

Highlight your academic achievements when speaking with coaches. Securing academic funding makes you a more attractive recruit, especially for programs with tight budgets. This combination of athletic skill and academic excellence makes you highly sought after in the competitive world of college soccer.

Final Thoughts

For soccer players aiming to play in college, a smart scholarship strategy can be a game-changer. By leveraging your achievements in the classroom and on the field, you can build a comprehensive funding package to support your goals.

Start by researching scholarship requirements at your target schools. Be proactive in discussions with coaches, admissions staff, and compliance officers to confirm your eligibility. With the right approach, you can unlock the perfect combination of scholarships to make your college soccer dreams a reality.

Get Expert Guidance for Your Soccer Journey

Have more questions about the recruitment process? Don’t tackle them alone. Schedule a free 15-minute Zoom call with Steve for personalized support and clear direction.

Join us as we empower you to take charge of your recruitment and turn your dreams into reality - https://stevecoxonsoccernetwork.com/consultation/

2027 Commitment Alert: New School Added to the DO NOT ATTEND ID Camp List!

🚨 Big update for aspiring college soccer players! We’ve just added another Northeast school to our DO NOT ATTEND ID Camps list. 🚫⚽

The list now includes 9 schools and is growing daily as we gather valuable feedback from players, parents, and coaches.

Here’s why these schools made the list: They’ve already replaced their entire Junior class!
Unless you’re in very deep talks with the coaching staff, we strongly advise avoiding their ID camps and clinics. Save your time, energy, and resources for opportunities that align with your recruiting goals.

Want to know which schools made the list? Stay ahead in your recruiting journey by checking out the full, updated daily listing here: 👉 https://www.skool.com/college-soccer-recruiting-hub-7734/about

Stop Guessing. Start Getting Recruited.

College soccer recruiting doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or expensive. Families waste time on unanswered emails, wrong camps, and mismatched school lists.

Join our community and get:

✅ The DO NOT ATTEND ID Camp List
✅ A Proven 6-Month Recruiting System built by a former college coach to attract real interest.

Follow a clear 3-phase framework:

1️⃣ Build your foundation (video, social, school list)
2️⃣ Execute strategic outreach
3️⃣ Manage real coach engagement

What’s included:

• Step-by-step guidance

• Proven email templates

• ID camp strategies

• Tracking tools

• Live recruiting sessions twice a week - First one begins on Tuesday Feb 17th!

💥 Founding member price: $29/month (lock it in before it jumps to $49).

Stop wasting time. Start following a plan. Join now! 👉 https://www.skool.com/college-soccer-recruiting-hub-7734/about

Your Go-To Websites/Social Media Leaders

• Join the College Soccer Recruiting Hub - The #1 Community for College Soccer Recruiting “We help players and parents of competitive soccer players build a clear college recruiting plan that generates real coach interest within 6 months—so you know exactly what to do and when to do it.” - Click Here

• The Steve Coxon Soccer Network - Click Here to schedule a free 15 minute zoom call

• Steve Coxon Soccer Network on You Tube - Click Here

• Join our FREE Soccer Scholarship Community and connect with like-minded players and parents navigating the same path - Click Here

• Soccer Spotlight Video, run by ex-D1 player Jack Burridge, can turn your full-game footage or specific timestamps into polished highlight videos (Mention The Steve Coxon Network to receive 10% off your next order)- Click Here

• 2024 Men's NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament Bracket - Click Here

• 2024 Women's NCAA Division 1 Soccer Tournament Bracket - Click Here

• RPI - Check out the Women's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• RPI - Check out the Men's College Soccer RPI by clicking this link.

• NCAA Eligibility Center - Click Here 

• United Soccer Coaches - Awards and Rankings 

• Twitter/X - @Imyouthsoccer

• Twitter/X - @ImCollegesoccer

• Exclusive Insights from College Coaches on the Recruiting Process - https://discovercollegesoccer.com/schools/

• The Informed Athlete - Helping student-athletes excel in sports and academics while navigating eligibility rules - Click Here

About: Steve Coxon College Soccer Network

Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.

Location - Connecticut, USA