For Calgary Minor Soccer Association: April 18, 2008 John Walker Head Soccer Coach University of Nebraska USA COLLEGE SOCCER SCHOLARSHIP SYSTEM

NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING SOCCER 315 NCAA Division 1 Women’s programs 205 NCAA Division 1 Men’s programs 225 NCAA Division 2 Women’s programs 412 NCAA Division 3 Women’s programs 398 NCAA Division 3 Men’s programs 212 NAIA Women’s programs 209 NAIA Men’s programs 42 Men’s and 45 Women’s CIAU programs

NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS PER SCHOOL Maximum for NCAA Division 1 Women is Maximum for NCAA Division 1 Men is 9.9 Understand this is the maximum and many schools do not have the maximum

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP ? Tuition Fees Room Board Books

DEALING WITH PERCENTAGES Get used to coaches talking in terms of percentages or.50 (e.g.) Understand that a scholarship does not have to stay the same for each year since they are annual and renewable Very difficult to have scholarship reduced Understand the total cost of the school will make your costs different when possibly dealing with same offer For example a 50% scholarship offer at a school where the total annual cost is $20,000 versus a 50% scholarship offer at a school where the the total annual cost is $40,000 (multiply difference over 4 years)

COMBININING WITH ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS Programs always looking to recruit good players who are good students More likely to succeed – less issues Cost efficient and can stretch scholarship cap Every school will be different in assessing this but most look at Standardized test scores, Class Rank, Grade Point Average

EXPECTATIONS IN AMOUNT Full athletic soccer scholarships are rare Roster sizes on average and each coach is trying to build the strongest squad The higher the level of program the harder it may be to get the highest amount (best players want to play at best programs) Examples

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ANNUAL AND RENEWABLE Coach must tell you this – not a 4 year contract Summer school Option for 5 th year of funding

MEDICAL REDSHIRT If player is injured prior to halfway point of team’s fall season and has appeared in 30% or less of team’s contests then the school can apply for a medical redshirt and if successful can retain that year of eligibility

MEDICAL HARDSHIP If a player suffers a career ending injury then the school can put them on a medical hardship scholarship where the amount does not get counted against the school’s soccer scholarship limit

BEGINNING THE RECRUITING PROCESS Look at soccer and academic goals and research school accordingly Are grades realistic ? What schools offer academic programs that are of interest ? DOES THE LEVEL OF SOCCER PROGRAM MATCH YOUR GOALS ? DOES THE LEVEL OF SCHOOLING MATCH YOUR GOALS You must think long term (investment)

MAKING CONTACT WITH THE SCHOOLS OF INTEREST When ? Rules with communication Written correspondence s Text message Phone calls Off Campus communication On campus communication Unofficial visit (anytime) Official visit (after senior high school year begins)

NARROWING THE FIELD Visit the campus Get a feel for commitment of school to athletics/soccer Get a feel for commitment of school to academic support for athletes Talk to the coach Talk to current/former players and or families Look at history with regards to graduation Look at history with regards to players staying in the program Look at history of player development

BEING NOTICED Understand the issue of population pool (1:10) Camps Video Playing in person Role of outside agency

PLAYER PROFILE Academics Club/State team/Regional team/National team Club/Provincial team/National team Role of ODP or Provincial team involvement Understand a resume is PAPER

GETTING A SCHOLARSHIP OFFER Every school does it differently Timelines or no timelines Understand that programs continue to recruit while you are weighing offer DO NOT DO SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT

MAKING A VERBAL COMMITMENT What is it ? Expectations of the commitment for the player Expectations of the commitment for the school Dealing with coaches from other schools continuing to pressure

SIGNING A NATIONAL LETTER OF INTENT 1 st Wednesday in February of senior year in high school No going back !! Must register with NCAA Clearinghouse (central certification agency of the NCAA)