SAT Preparation for Student Athletes: A Guide to US Athletic Scholarships
For student athletes in Europe, a US athletic scholarship offers something genuinely rare: the chance to compete at a high level and earn an internationally recognized degree at the same time. A scholarship also covers most of the cost of studying. Each year, NCAA Divisions I and II schools provide over $3.6 billion in athletic scholarships and financial aid to more than 180,000 student-athletes.
This guide covers what a US athletic scholarship is, what it can cover financially, and whether student-athletes can keep competing while they study. It also covers what the application process involves for European students, and where SAT preparation fits into the journey. Understanding how these pieces connect lets a European student athlete approach the process with confidence instead of uncertainty.
Table of Contents
What Is a US Athletic Scholarship?
A US athletic scholarship is a financial award given to a student based on their ability to play a sport. It goes toward the cost of attending that school. Full scholarships cover tuition and fees, room, board and course-related books. Most student-athletes receive only a portion of these costs. Many combine that with academic scholarships, NCAA financial aid programs, and need-based aid such as Federal Pell Grants.
Each year, NCAA Divisions I and II schools provide over $3.6 billion in athletic scholarships and financial aid to more than 180,000 student-athletes. For a European family weighing the cost of studying abroad, even a partial scholarship changes what’s financially possible.
Athletic scholarships are common in the United States. In most other countries, they’re rare or don’t exist at all. That means European student-athletes have access to an opportunity most of their peers at home don’t.
Can a Student-Athlete Continue Competing While Studying in the US?
Yes — in the US, student-athletes can compete and study at the same time. The college sports system is built to make both possible together, which is not the norm for student athletes in Europe. Training and competing at a meaningful level while pursuing a full university degree at home is extremely difficult. In practice, it’s close to impossible. Club schedules, travel demands, and academic calendars in Europe simply don’t run in parallel — the US college system does. The NCAA governs more than 1,100 colleges and universities and serves close to 500,000 student-athletes. The NAIA covers 235 colleges and universities offering 27 sports. Together, that means genuine pathways exist for athletes of many sports and ability levels — not just elite professionals.
The NAIA — the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics — lets a student-athlete compete for four seasons within their first ten semesters in college. That can be at varsity, junior varsity, or freshman level. To stay eligible, they must enroll in at least 12 credit hours every semester. They also need to make normal progress toward a bachelor’s degree. Sport and study run in parallel for the whole degree. A student-athlete never has to choose one over the other.
How Much Can an Athletic Scholarship Cover?
An athletic scholarship can cover some or all of the costs of studying at a US university. US sports scholarships come in two forms. Full scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, books, and board. Partial ones typically cover between 50% and 70% of costs.
The average sticker price for one year of college in 2024–2025 was roughly $29,900 at in-state public universities and $63,000 at private universities. In practice, most student-athletes do not cover the full cost of attendance through athletic aid alone. The students who make the numbers work pair an athletic scholarship with academic merit aid on top.
That is where the SAT becomes a direct financial lever. A stronger SAT score widens the pool of academic scholarships a student qualifies for. It also increases the total value of the offer. And it gives coaches a stronger case to make to their admissions office.
For student-athletes in Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, SAT preparation is one of the highest-return investments in the scholarship journey. Starting early enough to have room to improve makes a measurable difference to the final offer.
What Do Student-Athletes Need to Apply for a US Scholarship?
Getting a sports scholarship in the US requires a structured, multi-stage process that covers both athletic and academic preparation. The journey moves through several defined phases:
- An evaluation of your athletic and academic profile
- The creation of a personalized college action plan
- Academic test preparation and grade evaluation
- Building a college admissions profile
- Identifying the right university division and programs
- Receiving and comparing university offers
- Completing student visa and eligibility paperwork
- Ongoing support once you arrive in the US
What Exams Do Student Athletes Need for a US Scholarship Application?
Student-athletes applying for a US scholarship typically need to prepare for two categories of standardized exams: a college admissions test and an English proficiency test.
Academic Admissions Tests
The academic preparation phase is where standardized exams like the SAT become a powerful asset. Coaches may use scores to support admissions or to qualify students for academic aid. Because the NCAA uses a sliding scale that balances core GPA with SAT score, a solid score can only strengthen a recruiting profile, especially when GPA is borderline. If you’d like to know more about test policies at different schools, read our article on the differences between test-optional and test-mandatory schools.
English Proficiency Exams
In addition, most universities require international students to demonstrate English proficiency through either the TOEFL or Duolingo — unless the student has completed a program taught entirely in English, such as the International Baccalaureate, in which case many schools will waive the requirement. Students who have studied in a national curriculum — Bachillerato, liceo, Gymnasium, VWO, or Matura — will generally need to submit an English proficiency score alongside their SAT. These tests are more nuanced than they appear: the TOEFL in particular has a specific format and scoring logic that rewards targeted preparation, and students who go in without structured support often find their scores don’t reflect their actual level of English. Having guidance on test strategy, timing, and the question types that tend to trip people up makes a measurable difference to the final score.
For students pursuing a dedicated course in SAT preparation, Duolingo (DET), or TOEFL before their scholarship applications, the earlier the preparation begins, the more options remain open.
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What Is the Athletic Scholarship Process for International Students?
For international students, the athletic scholarship process involves more steps than for domestic US students. Knowing what’s required from the start matters — it’s the difference between a well-prepared application and one that stalls at a critical stage.
What Are the NCAA and NAIA?
The NCAA and NAIA are the two main governing bodies that oversee college sports and athletic scholarships in the US. The NCAA is the larger of the two, with more than 1,100 colleges and universities and close to 500,000 student-athletes. The NAIA is smaller, with 235 colleges and universities offering 27 sports. The NCAA also splits into three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. Each reflects a different philosophy on the role of athletics in student life, which directly affects the type and amount of financial aid available.
Athletic scholarships are available at NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA, and junior colleges. Not at Division III. Knowing which division and governing body fits a student’s athletic and academic profile is one of the first decisions in the process.
What Does an International Student-Athlete Need to Register for NCAA Eligibility?
International college-bound student-athletes must meet NCAA academic and amateurism requirements to compete at an NCAA school. Because education systems vary by country, the NCAA Eligibility Center reviews academic records and supporting documentation before certifying a student.
Students from Spain submit records from their Bachillerato, starting in 3º ESO. Italian students submit records from their percorso liceale, starting in the third year. German students submit Gymnasium records starting in Klasse 9. Dutch students submit their VWO or HAVO records, and Swiss students submit their Matura or an equivalent cantonal qualification. In all five cases, students submit records in the original language. Each record needs a certified line-by-line English translation and proof of graduation.
Nearly 25,000 international student-athletes are currently enrolled and competing at NCAA schools. That track record means the process for European qualifications is well established — not uncharted.
Does the SAT Strengthen an Athletic Scholarship Application?
Yes — a strong SAT score directly strengthens an athletic scholarship application, even at universities that do not formally require it. At test-optional schools, athletes are often encouraged or required to submit scores during the recruiting process, as coaches may use scores to support admissions or to qualify students for academic aid — and submitting a solid score can only help a recruiting profile stand out, especially if GPA is borderline. The NCAA uses a sliding scale that balances core GPA with SAT score, meaning a stronger test score can directly strengthen an application where GPA alone may not be enough.
SAT preparation sits within the academic preparation phase of the scholarship journey, alongside grade evaluation and admissions profile building. EPIC Prep’s standard SAT preparation timeline runs 10 to 15 weeks. Intensive programs are available for students with tighter deadlines. Accelerated options exist for students already well advanced in their preparation. The earlier preparation begins, the more room there is to retake the exam if needed. It also means strong scores are ready before coach conversations advance.
Wondering where you can take the SAT? It’s available at test centers across Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Make sure to check the College Board website for the full list of authorized centers.
Why Does Having the Right Team Behind You Matter?
The scholarship process for an international student involves foreign transcript evaluation, visa paperwork, academic test preparation, and an admissions profile. All of it has to move in parallel, and in the right sequence. For a family navigating this for the first time, the complexity is real.
Keystone Sports Spain brings together AGM and i-consports. AGM is Spain’s leading sport placement agency. It brings more than 20 years of experience and deep knowledge of the US educational system. i-consports has connected more than 1,000 talented junior players with college coaches and top US colleges since 2003. It has offices in Barcelona and Zaragoza. AGM alone has helped more than 3,000 student-athletes study in the US while playing sports like soccer, tennis, and golf. Keystone works across a network of more than 820 universities. That depth of experience means the team has seen almost every complication a European student-athlete can face. They’ve resolved issues from eligibility questions to school transfers.
In EPIC Prep’s experience working alongside established agencies like Keystone, the students who navigate this process most successfully are those with a full team behind them — one with the institutional knowledge, contacts, and continuity to support the journey from first application to graduation day. When evaluating any agency for this process, the questions worth asking are:
How long have they been operating?
How many placements have they completed?
What happens if something changes after the student arrives?
What Do Student-Athletes in Spain Need to Know?
Spanish student-athletes submit their Bachillerato records from 3º ESO onwards to the NCAA Eligibility Center, with a certified English translation. Student athletes who pair early SAT preparation with their Bachillerato studies have more flexibility in the schools they can target. For students beginning that process, our full guide to SAT preparation in Spain is a practical starting point before coach conversations begin. It covers timelines, test dates, and score targets. The SAT is available at authorized test centers across Spain. Check the College Board website for the full list of locations in your region.
What Do Student-Athletes in Italy Need to Know?
Italian student athletes submit their liceo records from the third year onwards, along with their Diploma di Maturità or equivalent. Both need a certified English translation. For students working through that process, our guide to SAT preparation in Italy is a helpful starting point. It covers the timelines and score targets tied to the Italian academic calendar. The SAT is available at authorized test centers across Italy. Check the College Board website for current locations.
What Do Student-Athletes in Germany Need to Know?
German student athletes submit their Gymnasium records from Klasse 9 onwards to the NCAA Eligibility Center. US colleges widely recognize the Abitur, but the evaluation process still requires full documentation with certified translation. Students navigating that process can find timelines and practical guidance in our SAT preparation guide for Germany. The SAT is available at test centers across Germany — students should check the College Board website for authorized locations.
What Do Student-Athletes in the Netherlands Need to Know?
Dutch student athletes typically submit VWO or HAVO records from year 9 onwards. The Netherlands has a strong tradition of students pursuing US university programs. The NCAA is familiar with the Dutch qualification system. Students who want a full overview can find timelines and practical guidance in our SAT preparation guide for the Netherlands. The SAT is available at authorized test centers in the Netherlands. Check the College Board website for current locations.
What Do Student-Athletes in Switzerland Need to Know?
Swiss student athletes submit their Matura or cantonal equivalent from the appropriate year onwards, with a certified English translation. Switzerland has a multilingual education system, with German, French, and Italian-language school tracks. The NCAA Eligibility Center recognizes it, though documentation requirements apply the same way as for all international students. EPIC Prep has an office in Zurich and works with Swiss student athletes on SAT preparation for their scholarship applications. The SAT is available at authorized test centers across Switzerland — students should check the College Board website for locations.
We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions about your preparation, please contact us and we will be happy to explain how EPIC Prep can help you achieve your goals.
