Can I Get Academic Merit for Playing Soccer?

Many soccer families wonder if playing college soccer can boost academic scholarships. The short answer? Absolutely—but not in the way most people think.

Soccer Won’t Directly Earn Academic Merit Money

Let’s be clear: colleges don’t award academic scholarships specifically for being a good soccer player. Makes sense, right?

Academic merit aid is based on GPA, test scores, class rank, and academic achievements—not your ability to finish in the box.

However, being recruited for college soccer can open doors to academic opportunities you might not have had otherwise.

How Soccer Players Access Academic Scholarships

College Coaches Have Academic Connections

Recruited soccer players often gain access to academic merit scholarships through the admissions process. Coaches work closely with admissions offices and can advocate for players who meet academic standards.

Many Division I and Division II programs specifically recruit academically strong players who qualify for institutional merit aid—essentially getting two scholarships for the price of one. Pretty sweet if you ask me!

The “Academic Index” Advantage

Top academic schools use something called an academic index when evaluating recruited athletes. Players with strong academics get priority in the college soccer recruiting process at these institutions.

Schools like Stanford, Duke, and the Ivy League actively seek soccer players who can handle rigorous coursework while competing at the highest level.

Strategic Academic Planning for Soccer Players

Keep Your GPA High

A 3.5+ GPA opens significantly more college soccer opportunities than pure athletic ability alone. Coaches at competitive programs need players who won’t struggle academically and risk NCAA eligibility issues.

Take the SAT/ACT Seriously

Strong test scores can make you eligible for automatic merit scholarships at many schools. Some state universities offer full academic rides for specific GPA/test score combinations—regardless of whether you play soccer.

Target Academic Match Schools

Look beyond traditional soccer powerhouses. Many excellent Division I, II, and III programs at academically prestigious schools offer generous merit aid packages for qualified student-athletes.

Division III: The Academic Sweet Spot

Division III schools can’t offer athletic scholarships, but they often provide the most generous academic merit packages. Many D-III soccer programs recruit players who receive substantial academic aid, making the total cost comparable to or less than D-I programs.

Some of the most successful post-graduation outcomes come from D-III soccer players who received significant academic merit aid and graduated debt-free.

Maximizing Your Academic Profile

Document Everything

Keep detailed records of academic achievements, honors courses, community service, and leadership roles. These strengthen scholarship applications and give coaches additional talking points with admissions. Never hold back on your accomplishments on and off the field.

Meet NCAA Academic Requirements Early

Ensure you’re taking core courses that meet NCAA eligibility standards. Many players miss academic opportunities because they didn’t plan their high school curriculum properly.

Apply Broadly

Don’t limit yourself to obvious soccer schools. Many academically focused institutions offer excellent soccer programs and generous merit aid for qualified players.

Playing college soccer won’t automatically earn you academic scholarships, but it can be the key that unlocks academic opportunities at schools you might not have considered otherwise.

Ready to explore how your academic profile stacks up with college soccer programs?

CollegeNovo’s platform helps you identify schools where your grades and soccer skills create the perfect match for both athletic and academic opportunities.