Understanding the US college system

The divisions, the scholarships, and what they mean for your athlete.

The US college athletics system is unlike anything in the UK or Middle East. There are multiple governing bodies, five distinct levels of competition, and different scholarship rules at every level. This page explains everything, clearly and completely.

Guidance reviewed against the linked official sources on . Rules, fees and school policies can change. Confirm the current requirements with the governing body, the college’s compliance or international student office, and your US embassy or consulate before acting. This is general guidance, not a guarantee of funding, eligibility or visa approval.

2025 rule change
Division I update, effective 1 July 2025: Schools participating in the House settlement operate under roster limits instead of sport-specific scholarship caps and may fund every athlete on their declared roster. This applies to both men's and women's soccer. Participation, roster exceptions and each school's budget matter: more permitted funding does not mean every player receives a full scholarship.

Official sources: NCAA: Division I settlement and roster rules

At a glance

Five levels. Three governing bodies. One decision.

The NCAA governs three divisions at four-year institutions. The NAIA is another four-year college route, while the NJCAA oversees two-year Junior Colleges. Athletic funding varies by governing body, division and school; NCAA Division III and NJCAA Division III do not offer athletic scholarships. The soccer funding rules below are maximum allowances, not guaranteed offers.

NCAA
Division I
Roster-based aid at participating schools
NCAA
Division II
Men: 9 · Women: 9.9 equivalencies
NCAA
Division III
No athletic scholarships
NAIA
NAIA
Up to 12 soccer equivalencies
NJCAA
Junior College
Athletic aid depends on division
NCAA

Division I: the highest level.

Settlement participation matters
2025–26 rule change: men's soccer
From 2025–26, participating schools may offer scholarships to every athlete on their declared men's or women's soccer roster, subject to roster rules and exceptions. Nonparticipating schools remain subject to pre-settlement aid limits. Ask the college which rules apply and how much of its permitted aid it actually funds.

Official sources: NCAA: Division I settlement and roster rules

NCAA Division I is the highest level of collegiate athletics in the United States. It is where the best players compete, where the biggest universities field their teams, and where the athletic and academic demands on student-athletes are most significant. For any athlete with genuine D1 potential, this is the environment that will push them furthest.

Who D1 is for
Athletes at professional academy standard, high-level semi-professional, or exceptional county performers with the technical, tactical, and physical profile D1 coaching staff expect. Strong academic profile also required.
How scholarships work at D1
Full and partial offers depend on the school's available budget and applicable rules. A roster place is not a scholarship promise. Ask for a written aid agreement showing the amount, covered costs, award period and protections.
Participating schools
Roster-based
men's and women's soccer aid
Funding
Varies
confirm the written offer with each college
CSG note
Our founder played D1 at Creighton University, one of the most respected NCAA Division I programmes in the United States. He knows this environment from the inside. When we tell a family their athlete is D1 standard, we mean it. When we say they are not, we mean that too.
NCAA

Division II: competitive, well-funded, underestimated.

Up to 9 scholarships

NCAA Division II is one of the most underestimated levels of American collegiate soccer. D2 programmes offer highly competitive football, genuine scholarship funding, and strong academic environments. Many D2 institutions are outstanding universities. The difference from D1 is one of resource and profile - not one of quality or experience.

Official sources: NCAA: Division II scholarship limits

Men's scholarships
9
per team (equivalency)
Women's scholarships
9.9
per team (equivalency)
CSG note
Division II is where many exceptional athletes find the right combination of competitive football, strong academics, and meaningful scholarship funding. When we recommend D2, our assessment tells us it produces the best outcome for that athlete.
NCAA

Division III: academic-first. No athletic scholarships.

No athletic scholarships

NCAA Division III institutions do not offer athletic scholarships. D3 programmes can be highly competitive and the institutions themselves are often outstanding academic universities. Athletic scholarships are prohibited, but academic scholarships, merit aid, and need-based financial aid are widely available. CSG's primary focus is on athletic scholarships at D1, D2, NAIA, and JUCO.

Official sources: NCAA: Division III financial aid

Athletic scholarships
None
prohibited at D3
Academic aid
Yes
merit and need-based
NAIA

The NAIA: flexible, accessible, underrated.

Up to 12 scholarships

NAIA colleges offer a four-year education and another competitive soccer pathway. Men's and women's soccer each allow up to 12 scholarship equivalencies, which may be shared among players; actual funding varies by school. NAIA recruiting rules differ from NCAA rules, but are not unrestricted: transfer contact and other requirements still apply.

Official sources: NAIA: official handbook and bylaws

Men's soccer aid
12
maximum equivalencies per team
Women's soccer aid
12
maximum equivalencies per team
CSG note
The NAIA is significantly undervalued in the UK and Gulf market. For many athletes, an NAIA programme offers a better combination of playing time, scholarship value, and academic environment than a D2 offer. We assess every athlete for NAIA alongside all other options.
NJCAA

Junior College: the pathway, not the compromise.

Full scholarships available

The Junior College pathway (governed by the NJCAA) is a two-year college route. NJCAA Division I may offer aid including room and board; Division II athletic aid excludes room and board; Division III offers no athletic scholarships. Admission and athletic eligibility must both be met. For some athletes, JUCO is a valuable development route. Our founder followed this path: transferring from JUCO to Creighton University, NCAA Division I.

Academic requirements
High school graduation or an accepted equivalent is generally required. Check the college's admissions and testing requirements separately from NJCAA eligibility, including the rules for international academic records.
Transfer potential
A strong academic record and athletic performance can support a transfer to D1, D2 or NAIA. Transfer is not automatic: credits, GPA, graduation status and the destination's eligibility rules all matter.

Official sources: NJCAA: scholarship rules by division · NJCAA: current handbook and eligibility rules · NCAA: initial eligibility requirements

Full athletic aid
Division I
permitted, not guaranteed
Division II aid
Limited
excludes room and board
Division III aid
None
no athletic scholarships
Transfer to D1/D2
Possible
subject to destination eligibility rules
CSG note
Our founder is an NJCAA All-American who transferred independently to Creighton University, NCAA Division I. JUCO is not a second choice. In the right circumstances, it is the best choice.
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