Power Play Answers: Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. College Sports Scholarships
What exactly is an athletic scholarship, and how does it work?
An athletic scholarship is financial aid awarded to student-athletes who compete in college sports. It helps cover the cost of tuition, housing, meals, and sometimes additional expenses like books or travel. Scholarships can be full (covering nearly all college costs) or partial (covering only a portion).
These scholarships are offered by college athletic programs in return for your commitment to play on their team — while also maintaining your academic standing.
Do I need to be a top-level athlete to get a scholarship?
Not necessarily.
You don’t have to be a future Olympian or play at a professional level to earn a sports scholarship. U.S. colleges have athletic programs at many different levels — from top NCAA Division I teams to smaller Division II, NAIA, or junior college programs — and each level has different expectations.
Coaches look for strong fundamentals, good work ethic, team mentality, and growth potential — not just highlight reels.
The key is matching your athletic level with the right schools. With the right strategy, even solid athletes (not just stars) can find great opportunities — including partial or full scholarships — at competitive and respected programs.
What if I’m not sure yet about my major or which college I want to attend?
That’s completely okay — most student-athletes don’t have everything figured out when they start.
You don’t need to choose your exact major or dream school before beginning the process. In fact, part of what we do is help you explore your academic interests and find schools that fit both your athletic level and personal goals.
Coaches are used to working with athletes who are still figuring things out. What matters most is that you’re open, motivated, and ready to take the first step. The rest will come together along the way.
When should I start the recruitment process?
The earlier, the better — ideally around age 15–16, or during 10th–11th grade. That gives you time to build your academic and athletic profile, create game footage, take the right tests (like ACT/TOEFL), and connect with coaches before key deadlines.
That said, it’s never too late to start.
Even if you’re close to finishing high school — or have already graduated — there are still strong opportunities. It just means we’ll build a focused, time-sensitive strategy based on where you are now.
The sooner we start, the more options you’ll have.
Can I get both an athletic scholarship and an academic scholarship?
Yes — and it happens more often than you might think.
Many colleges offer what’s called a combined package, where you receive both athletic and academic scholarships. For example, if your athletic scholarship doesn’t cover 100% of the costs, a strong GPA or test scores (like ACT or TOEFL) can help cover the rest with academic aid.
In some schools — especially at NCAA Division II, NAIA, or junior colleges — this kind of mix is common and strategic. It allows coaches to spread their athletic budgets while rewarding students for their academic achievements too.
Being a strong student can absolutely open more doors — and reduce costs even further.
What is an NIL deal, and does it apply to international student-athletes?
NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness.
It allows college athletes to earn money by promoting brands, running social media campaigns, offering private training, selling merchandise, and more — all using their personal identity as athletes.
For U.S. citizens, NIL deals are legal under NCAA rules.
For international student-athletes, it’s more complicated. Due to visa restrictions (mainly the F-1 student visa), earning money in the U.S. through NIL can be limited or even prohibited — depending on the type of activity and where it takes place.
That said, there are creative legal workarounds — like signing NIL deals outside the U.S., or structuring agreements to comply with immigration laws. We help our athletes understand what’s possible and do things the right way.
Will you keep helping me after I’ve accepted the scholarship?
Yes — while our formal agreement ends once you’ve officially secured your scholarship and committed to a school, our support doesn’t just disappear.
We continue to be available for anything you might need: help with the visa process, understanding forms, choosing classes, finding housing, or even just navigating your first months abroad.
We’ve been through it ourselves, and we know how important it is to have someone you trust along the way. You’re part of Power Play — and that doesn’t end with the scholarship.
We’re here to help. If you need more details or have specific questions, feel free to reach out — we’ll guide you every step of the way.