Where to start

US college soccer runs at NCAA Division I, II and III, at the NAIA, and at junior colleges (NJCAA). D1, D2, NAIA and junior colleges can give athletic scholarships. D3 does not give athletic scholarships, though academic aid is possible.

Start with a free Profile Page account at eligibilitycenter.org. When a D1 or D2 school recruits you, switch to an Academic and Athletics Certification account. The fee for international students is $180 for 2026-27. Internationals going to D3 need an Athletics Certification account ($85).

This is separate from the NCAA. The international fee is $170, plus an InCred credential evaluation, usually the Basic High School evaluation at $120 (InCred prices from October 2026).

Keep your school transcripts from year nine onward, your proof of graduation, and complete, word-for-word certified English translations. The NCAA's international guide lists what counts for your country.

Most US universities ask international students for an English test. What college coaches tell me:

• Minimum scores vary by school. As an example, one mid-level university asks for at least Duolingo 95, TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 5.5, iTEP 3.6, Pearson PTE Academic 44, or an A to C in UK A-level English. Other schools ask for more or less, so check each college's admissions page.
• Unofficial first, official later. Unofficial scores are often accepted for admission. You need official scores before you enrol.
• Some countries are exempt. UK applicants often are. Dutch applicants usually are not. Check each school.
• Duolingo is usually the cheapest and quickest. The Duolingo English Test costs $70 (Duolingo, September 2026). You take it online at home, and results usually arrive within 48 hours. Check that your colleges accept it.
• Take it early. Have it done by the start of your final school year.

Make a short highlight video, 3 to 5 minutes, with your best clips first. What college coaches tell me they look for:

• Clips for your position. Show what is expected of a player in your role: a winger beating players and delivering the ball, a striker's finishing and movement, an attacking midfielder creating chances.
• Work rate and character off the ball. Coaches watch the moments right after you lose the ball. Do you compete and work hard to win it back? Put those moments in too.

A free profile on NCSA and the free coach-email guides from NCSA and Hudl are good places to start.

Start 12 to 24 months before you want to begin. For an August start, most recruiting of European players happens from mid-November to April.

Your college issues an I-20 form, and then you apply for an F-1 student visa.

Nobody can guarantee a scholarship. Be careful with fees that are partly paid only "when you get an offer". NCAA rules say a recruiting service's fee must not depend on placement.