Who qualifies for a US College academic/swimming scholarship?
Only the best young swimmers will be considered for a scholarship. If you have competed at national level whilst at college or you have experience of competing for your club at the UK national championships, then you could well be looking at gaining a substantial US College scholarship offer.
US College swimming is of a very high standard and consequently, it is not always easy for UK students to obtain a scholarship. US College swimming coaches will often request references and DVD evidence from national, county and club coaches. We can help you provide this evidence, so if you are a county standard swimmer or possibly a nationally ranked swimmer, then we would like to hear from you.
In return we can guarantee that we will be contacting selected US College swimming coaches on your behalf. Sporting Chance USA has an excellent working relationship with numerous US swimming coaches and we are constantly being asked to find exciting new UK based talent.
If you are considering going to university within the next 12-24 months and at the same time wish to progress your swimming career, then a US College scholarship could be the right move for you. Many young UK swimmers move to the US, safe in the knowledge that they can select their programme of study from a wide ranging choice of subjects.
All US Colleges have well respected and learned swimming coaches in charge of their individual programmes. These programmes are very much learner centred and the social, academic and sporting development of each individual is paramount.
Another major factor in choosing to attend a US College are the fantastic indoor and outdoor sporting facilities that are on offer to aspiring young athletes.
How much can you expect to receive if you are successful in gaining a US scholarship?
An annual US College programme will normally cost between $10,000 – $35,000 before a scholarship award.
If you are successful in obtaining a scholarship award, this can reduce the cost to between $6000 – $10,000. It must be noted that a US scholarship will normally include the cost of tuition fees, on-campus insurance, accommodation and food. This figure compares favourably to the cost of attending a UK university, as it has been announced that most UK students attending a UK university can expect the cost to be £15,000 plus when accommodation and food is taken into consideration. Unfortunately student loans are not available to UK students who decide to study abroad. Also US College grants are few and far between and should not be relied upon.
Some overseas consultants talk freely about full scholarships or ‘full rides’. A full scholarship means that the college will pay for your tuition (which is the largest part of the award) accommodation, food, books and fees. It must be noted that only the very best players with outstanding academics receive a full scholarship and once again they should not be relied upon.
Many colleges offer athlete incentives such as; if the student athlete consistently performs to a pre-set standard and his/her academics maintain a high level, then there is every chance that the annual fees paid in the second year will be at a reduced rate.
This is a typical video that may be viewed on each athlete’s profile.
“The person I miss the most is the person I could have been”