So You Want To Play College Soccer? - The Perfect Combo: How to Leverage Athletic and Academic Scholarships in Recruiting!

The Steve Coxon Soccer Network ID Clinics Powered by Adidas - YALE UNIVERSITY added to the line up!

March 16, 2025

In Today’s Edition

Welcome to our essential new 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. 

  • The Perfect Combo: How to Leverage Athletic and Academic Scholarships in Recruiting

  • Dreaming of Playing College Soccer in the Northeast? Take our quick, two-minute questionnaire designed to simplify your search.

  • The Steve Coxon Soccer Network ID Clinics Powered by Adidas - YALE UNIVERSITY added to the line up!

The Perfect Combo: How to Leverage Athletic and Academic Scholarships in Recruiting

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For aspiring college soccer players, the goal of playing at the collegiate level often comes with the desire for scholarships to alleviate educational costs. While athletic scholarships frequently steal the spotlight during recruiting, academic scholarships can play just as vital a role. By strategically combining these two types of scholarships, you can reduce your financial burden and create more opportunities to pursue your passion for the game.

Understanding the Basics of Athletic and Academic Scholarships

Before exploring how these scholarships can work together, it’s essential to understand their foundations.

Academic scholarships are awarded based on your high school academic performance, including GPA and standardized test scores. Some schools might also require an essay or evidence of extracurricular involvement. These scholarships are predictable and renewable. The good news is they are not tied to your athletic performance, which makes them a reliable source of funding throughout your college years, as long as you meet academic eligibility requirements.

Athletic scholarships, in contrast, are awarded based on your performance on the soccer field. Criteria vary widely depending on the coach, school, division, or even the soccer program's specific needs.

It’s also important to note that NCAA Division III schools cannot offer athletic scholarships. However, many DIII schools offset this by providing substantial academic scholarships or need-based financial aid packages to help student-athletes cover costs. If you’re targeting a Division III program, a strong academic record will be especially valuable, as it can be the key to creating an affordable path to both your education and collegiate soccer career.

Understanding these differences helps student-athletes build a more comprehensive scholarship strategy. By pairing athletic and academic scholarships (or focusing heavily on academic scholarships in the case of Division III), you can diversify your funding sources and potentially create a package similar to or even exceeding a traditional full-ride scholarship.

The Benefits of Combining Athletic and Academic Scholarships

For soccer players, combining athletic and academic scholarships offers significant advantages for both the athletes and the college programs they join.

For athletes, securing both scholarships means reducing out-of-pocket costs. Full athletic scholarships are rare, especially in soccer, where the NCAA limits the number of scholarships a team can distribute. Partial scholarships are far more common, but by pairing an academic scholarship with an athletic one, student-athletes can effectively cover a majority of the costs. Plus, academic scholarships add a layer of stability since they aren’t impacted by injuries or changes in your team's lineup.

From the perspective of soccer coaches, student-athletes with academic scholarships provide a much-needed “budget boost.” Academic scholarships are funded by a separate fund provided by the school, independent of the coaches' athletic budget. NCAA soccer programs operate with strict scholarship limits in Divisions I and II, which means coaches need to divide available athletic funds strategically. When a student-athlete’s academic scholarship covers a portion of their tuition, the coach can allocate athletic scholarship funds more effectively across the entire roster.

Example: Imagine a women’s NCAA Division I soccer program has a maximum of 14 scholarships to distribute across a roster of 30 players. A recruit who qualifies for a substantial academic scholarship might only require a partial athletic scholarship to join the team. This allows the coach to conserve funds for additional recruits, ensuring the team remains competitive without exceeding scholarship caps. For a Division III team, a recruit with an excellent GPA might be offered a generous academic package that minimizes financial strain on both the school and the family, allowing the player to focus on academics and soccer.

Understanding Costs and Sustainability Across Schools

Not all colleges are created equal when it comes to costs, and understanding the differences is essential when navigating scholarship opportunities.

For example, a combined scholarship package covering 80% of tuition at an expensive private university might still cost more than attending a public institution where a 50% scholarship package is sufficient to cover the majority of expenses. Calculating your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and comparing total costs across schools can help you assess which combined scholarship package offers the best financial value.

Athletes should also consider the sustainability of each scholarship. Academic scholarships remain in place so long as you meet academic requirements like maintaining a specific GPA. Athletic scholarships, however, are typically renewed each year, and their renewal depends on factors such as your adherence to team expectations.

For Division III athletes, academic scholarships tend to offer greater security compared to athletic scholarships in other divisions. They provide a more stable foundation for student-athletes to focus on their development both in the classroom and on the soccer field.

Balancing these two types of scholarships, or relying heavily on academic scholarships for DIII players, can provide both stability and flexibility as you work toward your goals.

How Combining Scholarships Maximizes Your Recruitment Potential

Soccer coaches are always on the lookout for players who not only excel on the field but also demonstrate discipline and focus in the classroom. A strong GPA and solid test scores make you a more appealing recruit, as it shows your ability to handle the demands of being a student-athlete.

Highlight your academic achievements during recruitment conversations. If you bring academic funding to the table, you not only stand out as a well-rounded player but also offer flexibility for coaches working within budget constraints. Combining athletic skills with academic excellence makes you a highly sought-after recruit in the competitive world of college soccer.

Example: Imagine you’re a high school soccer forward targeting an NCAA Division II program. Your academic record qualifies you for merit-based scholarships that cover 50% of your costs. The coach, impressed by your ability, offers an athletic scholarship covering another 40%. Together, the package meets 90% of your expenses, making it easier for you to choose that program over schools with less appealing offers.

Final Thoughts

For soccer players hoping to play at the collegiate level, combining athletic and academic scholarships provides financial relief and recruitment advantages. By leveraging your achievements on and off the field, you can increase your appeal to coaches and build a comprehensive funding package to support your academic and athletic aspirations.

Start by understanding the requirements for both types of scholarships at the schools you’re targeting. Be proactive in conversations with coaches and compliance officers to verify your eligibility and ensure you’re making the most of your opportunities. With the right strategy, you can unlock the perfect combination of scholarships to achieve your goals both as a soccer player and a student.

Dreaming of Playing College Soccer in the Northeast?

Navigating the college soccer recruiting process can feel overwhelming, with so many schools to consider and limited resources. That’s why we’ve created a quick, two-minute questionnaire designed to simplify your search. It only takes a couple of minutes to complete, and within 24 to 48 hours, you’ll receive a personalized response highlighting Northeast programs that align perfectly with your soccer résumé and goals.

By completing the questionnaire, you’ll save time and money, avoid chasing the wrong schools, and focus on where you truly belong. Take control of your recruiting process today and start targeting schools that are the right fit for you. Don’t wait—Complete the 2-Minute Questionnaire Now and take a big step toward achieving your college soccer dreams!

Secure Your Spot at the Steve Coxon Soccer Network ID Clinics Powered by Adidas - YALE UNIVERSITY added to the line up!

Exclusive Soccer ID Clinic Opportunity!

We’re pleased to share some updates for our upcoming spring ID Clinics! On the boys’ side, Yale University and Holy Cross have officially joined the roster of top-tier coaches conducting sessions.

These clinics are open to both boys and girls and will be held at the state-of-the-art Day Hill Dome in Windsor, CT this spring. This event offers a one-of-a-kind chance to showcase your skills, elevate your game, and connect directly with college coaches from DI, DII, and DIII programs across New England and the Northeast.

A Premier Showcase for Aspiring Players

Whether you’re a male or female athlete, this is your moment to stand out. With programs like Yale University, Holy Cross, Quinnipiac University, and Sacred Heart joining the coaching lineup, you’ll have the opportunity to shine in front of some of the best collegiate coaches in the game.

Event Highlights

  • Who’s Coaching? College coaches from DI, DII, and DIII programs, including Yale University and Holy Cross (boys’ side) and Quinnipiac University and Sacred Heart (Girls’ side)

  • Where? Brand-new Day Hill Dome in Windsor, CT

  • Why Attend? Build valuable connections, showcase your skills, and boost your recruitment prospects

  • When? April 18th

  • Spots Are Limited: With only 50 player spots available per clinic, this is an exclusive opportunity to stand out in front of top programs in an elite training environment.

Register Today!

Space is extremely limited, so don’t wait to lock in your spot! This event is your chance to take a big step towards making your college soccer dreams a reality.

Don’t Miss Out – Register Now

This is your chance to shine and take your skills to the next level. Slots are filling up fast, so don’t delay! Register today to lock in your place and ensure your spot at this high-profile event.

🔗 Boys (Only 29 spots remain)- Reserve your spot now!

🔗 Girls (Only 23 spots remain) - Reserve your spot now!

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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