COLLEGE RECRUITMENT

COLLEGE PLAY PATHWAY

In the vast landscape of college soccer recruitment, knowledge is power. ROSA supports, encourages and prepares young athletes to pursue their dreams of playing soccer at the collegiate level and helps players to strategically position themselves in environments that will nurture their talents and help them shine. Getting noticed by college coaches starts well before high school graduation.

Individual meeting and guidance with players to establish recruitment goals
Video recording of games with analytical highlights
Single team websites to aid in recruitment which includes recruitment profiles, highlight videos, and team schedule
Team participation in college showcases and tournaments
Player participation in combines and ID camps

MORE INFORMATION

FRESHMAN YEAR

(Coaches cannot call or write you yet, only send general information and camp information, so don’t be disappointed if you write a coach and they do not write you back)

• Keep your grades up!

• Begin compiling a list of possible colleges or universities that meet your interests and research their academic and athletic programs

• Take the PSAT test.

• Make a List of Colleges

• Research schools

• Build a soccer resume/ player profile with your list of achievements

• Create a highlight video

• Begin initial contact with coaches

• Use social media and personal branding to your advantage

SOPHOMORE YEAR

(Coaches cannot call or write you yet, only send general information and camp information, so don’t be disappointed if you write a coach and they do not write you back)
• Keep your grades up!
• Keep compiling a list of possible colleges or universities that meet your interests and research their academic and athletic programs
• Write a cover letter and soccer resume and send it out to possible schools.
• Review NCAA eligibility requirements.
• Compete in ID camps, college showcases, combines and camps

• Update your record athletic achievements.

JUNIOR YEAR

(Coaches can return correspondence and write letters, but cannot call until on or after June 15 before your junior year).
• Keep your grades up
• Send coaches an updated resume and player profile, dates of tournaments and league games.
• Make a list of all the colleges/universities you have been in contact with and rank them in order. Narrow your search to 10 or so schools and engage in regular correspondence with the coach
• Play in ID Camps, College Combines, College Showcase tournaments, summer tournaments

• Attend any recruitment seminars at these tournaments. Also attend College Fairs and register your sport with each college.
• Consider attending the summer camp of a school of interest or one which has a lot of college coaches on staff.
• Narrow your search to 10 or so schools and engage in regular correspondence with the coach

• Make unofficial visits (at your expense) to selected schools. Meet with the coach and see the team play, if possible.
• Take the SAT or ACT tests. Make sure scores are sent to your schools of interest.
• Provide your coach and counselor with your interest college list. Discuss college interest with your coach and counselor.
• Obtain financial form (FAFSA).

SENIOR YEAR
• Don’t let down in your class work. Finish strong.
• Complete FAFSA form again with recent tax information.
• Respond immediately to any interest shown by colleges
• Schedule and complete official visits. Meet with the coach and the team and stay overnight if possible, see the team play.
• Stay in touch with your high school counselor.
• Narrow down your choices and get your applications done early.
• Keep coaches updated on your achievements by sending them your resume through the fall and play in high level events in November and December.
• Make a decision!
With numerous divisions and institutions offering opportunities, selecting the right fit for your skills, ambition, and aspirations is crucial.

NCAA Divisions

‍The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the major collegiate athletic organization in the U.S., and it's split into three divisions:

• Division I represents the highest level of collegiate soccer with rigorous competition and a full-time commitment. D1 programs often offer athletic scholarships.

• Division II provides a balanced blend of athletic commitment and academic pursuits. D2 schools can also offer athletic scholarships but may have fewer available compared to D1.

• Division III prioritizes academics over athletics, and while D3 programs don’t offer athletic scholarships, they provide opportunities to play at a high level.

NAIA and NJCAA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) offers a competitive soccer platform but with a different set of regulations and a more intimate college experience. National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) is the governing body of intercollegiate athletics for two-year colleges provide an excellent starting point for players aiming to hone their skills before transferring to a larger institution. Both these options come with their unique set of benefits.
DIVISION II
Division II institutions have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, (or four for men and six for women), with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. There are maximum financial aid awards for each sport that a Division II school must not exceed. Division II teams usually feature a number of local or
in-state student-athletes. Many Division II student-athletes pay for school through a combination of scholarship money, grants, student loans and employment earnings. Division II athletics programs are financed in the institution’s budget like other academic departments on campus.

NCCAA
The National Christian College Athletic Association was incorporated to provide a Christian-based organization that functions uniquely as a national and international agency for the promotion of outreach and ministry, and for the maintenance, enhancement, and promotion of intercollegiate athletic competition with a Christian perspective.
Financial Aid
If your child is eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics and is accepted as a full-time student at a Division I or II school, they may receive athletics-based financial aid from the school. That aid could include tuition and fees, room and board, and books. Division III schools do not award financial aid based on athletic ability. A Division III college may award aid based on need or academics. Although Division III institutions do not offer athletic scholarships, there are definite avenues to receive financial assistance. A non-qualifier may receive only need-based financial aid (aid not related to athletics). A non-qualifier also may receive non-athletics aid from private sources or government programs (such as Pell grants).
• All athletics scholarships are limited to one year. There are no four-year athletic scholarships.
• Athletics scholarships may be renewed annually for a maximum of five years within a six-year period of continuous college attendance. Athletics aid may be canceled or reduced at the end of each year for any reason.
• Athletics scholarships are awarded in a variety of amounts, ranging from full scholarships (tuition, room and board, etc.) to small scholarships (books).
• The total amount of financial aid a student-athlete may receive and the total amount of athletics a team may receive can be limited. These limits can affect whether a student-athlete may accept additional financial aid from other sources. You must inform the college financial aid office about scholarships received from all sources, such as civic or booster clubs.

FAFSA
The first step for obtaining financial aid is to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.org. Every family, regardless of income, has an EFC (estimated family contribution) number and the LOWER your EFC, the more aid you will receive. Even if you may not receive a significant amount of financial aid, you should still complete the FAFSA because it can act as an insurance policy for your son/daughter’s education. If there is a change or loss of income or an emergency in your family; you will not be eligible for college funds if you do not complete the FAFSA on an annual basis. The first date you may submit the FAFSA is January 1 of senior year. University financial aid budgets are limited and are awarded on a first come first serve basis, so the earlier you submit your FAFSA, the better your chances of receiving aid. Each college/university has a specific deadline and at a certain point, the money does run out.