Five Things to Consider About College Soccer Scholarships

Some parents think of the money they put into their child's soccer experience as an investment, as if it will "pay off" with a scholarship when their prodigy enters college. The truth is that soccer scholarships aren't that common and have their disadvantages.

1. Scholarships are an investment, but not in the way you think. College coaches see them as an investment-in the players. This can be an advantage to the players who get them, and a disadvantage to those who don't. Some coaches are more likely to play their scholarship players, even if other players turn out to be stronger. For some, it's an investment they expect a return on. Others just don't want to admit they've made a mistake. If you go to a D1 or D2 school that offers soccer scholarships, but don't receive one, it might affect your time on the field adversely, no matter how well you play.

2. Scholarship amounts can vary from year to year. Some coaches will vary the amount of the scholarship from year to year depending on the player's contribution. Make sure you know what the coach's policy is going in.

3. Scholarships can end due to injury or if you quit the team. Again, make sure you know the school's policy, particularly if you need the scholarship to stay at the school.

4. Consider the total financial package, not just athletic scholarships. Athletic scholarships are only one part of a financial aid package. Division 3 schools don't offer scholarships, but they provide students, including athletes, with financial aid in other ways, including academic scholarships, grants, and loans. Some schools offer money to entice foreign students to come to their campus. Some schools (particularly top D1 and D3 schools-the Ivies and Kenyon College are examples) accept students regardless of need. If a player has the academic credentials to qualify, they might actually get a better total package at a school that doesn't offer an athletic scholarship.

5. Soccer shouldn't be your only consideration when choosing a school. You might not like the coach, you might be injured and unable to play, you might find it difficult to keep up with your schoolwork with practices and games. Whatever the reason, you might not play soccer all four years. If that should happen, you don't want to be a school you don't like. Make sure you like the school, not just the soccer program or the size of the athletic scholarship.