4 April 2023 - NSSA

5 tips to maximize your Scholarship opportunities

A Scholarship is an exciting opportunity for many young athletes. Combining higher education with elite sport is not an option in many places; in college in the USA it is part of the culture. However, the biggest obstacle is often not knowing where and how to start if you want to go. It can be difficult to know who – if anyone – to work with to get the help you need. What is required of you and how soon should you be out exploring your options?

Here are 5 simple tips on how to maximize your chances of getting the best Scholarship offer in the USA

1. Those who start early often have the most opportunities

Start the preparatory work, your research and ideally the whole process as early as it makes sense for you. First and foremost, it’s important to think it through, but then it’s just as important to go for it – don’t put it off for too long.
We recommend starting the

the process

– possibly take the first meeting with an agency like us. anything between 10 and 24 months before you would actually travel to the USA. So if you graduate from high school (or similar) in summer 2022, it would be ideal to start everything from summer 2020 to the end of 2021.
This does not mean that you are too late if you start the process afterwards – not at all. But getting off to a good early start is a big advantage, as college coaches will usually have a larger Scholarship budget available. As a result, you will inevitably be considered by more coaches and colleges than late starters.

Besides, starting early can give you more time to work through the smaller things that need to be taken care of when going to college in the US. It may be
various small tests
, translations of important documents,
visas
and a lot of other things.

2. Seek help and guidance from experts

The whole college recruitment process is quite convoluted and we can’t recommend this part enough. There are often several unexpected and confusing bumps in the road and having the right advice and guidance is crucial.
This should first and foremost help you segment and select colleges that fit your needs and situation – academically and athletically.
Furthermore, it should help you make the right decision and then continue by helping you navigate the various administrative issues involved in being an international student athlete in college in the United States.
Ideally, it is also important to be able to stay in contact with them once you have landed in the US, as there may also be a need for assistance and sparring – both for yourself, but perhaps also your parents.

3. Find the right agency - for you!

Getting help from experts is essential. Even more essential is to get help from the right experts and an agency that suits you. It is a personal choice, nothing is right or wrong.
Most importantly… Whatever Scholarship Agency you choose, it is focused on creating a personalized and tailor-made process for you.
There are many good agencies, but also some less good ones. Big agencies that have been in the game for many years will often have a larger staff, a bigger network and a wider following, but you can quickly become ‘just another number in the line’ if you’re not careful.

4. Be proactive

The search for a good Scholarship is a competitive game – being proactive can give you a big advantage! Having video of yourself, maybe even finding your own highlights or records, obtaining official school documents or registering yourself for any tests required are things you can basically do very early on. The faster and better these things are done, the faster you can be promoted to colleges, universities and their staff.

For example – as soon as you start having contact with college coaches, it’s never a bad idea to be proactive and seem invested in the contact. Agencies like us will of course also help you navigate this. But there will always be many options for college coaches and if the process for an individual athlete or player becomes too long, they can quickly start looking elsewhere.

5. Trust the process

Keeping the faith that you will eventually receive the right Scholarship offer is very important!
The good agencies will talk you through what you can expect in terms of process and realistic options. It is important that expectations are fully aligned, as trust in the process is critical for a good offer and solution.

REMEMBER:It is YOUR talent and YOUR academic level that will ultimately get you the good offers. The various Scholarship agencies – like us – are ‘just’ organizations that highlight the talent and level, facilitate the contact and maximize your opportunities.
You can read more abouthow a Scholarship worksand what it requireshere on our blog.
If you are now, or have ever thought about going to college, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

5 tips to maximize your Scholarship opportunities Read More »

Am I good enough for a Scholarship?

One of the questions we get asked most often in the NSSA.
Getting a Scholarship in the US can be a competitive process. You’re not just competing with people from your own country in your sport, but with athletes from all over the world… So when are you good enough?

The short answer is that in all likelihood you are definitely good enough. A Scholarships requires a certain level of skill, of course, but you don’t have to be the next Christian Eriksen, Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan to be considered among the many colleges in the US.
The level of athleticism among colleges and universities varies across the associations – NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA – who organize College sports in the US. The US is a large country with a huge variety of colleges in the east and west. Since these colleges vary in sporting and academic level, there will most likely be a college that suits you and your profile.

What factors influence whether I can get a sports scholarship?

There are many different factors that coaches consider when offering scholarships.

College coaches will not only look at your athletic or sporting level, but also your academic performance, work ethic and character.
When we talk about sports scholarships, your sporting level is a priority and a major focus. Your skills, results and experience on a football pitch will be the most important of the various parameters on which schools assess you. It could be your ticket to a fantastic – and paid – education where elite sport is an integral part of the whole experience.

However, if a college coach is interested in a handful of players who are at the same level, personality, core values and school level will determine who is chosen. Colleges in the US look for the whole package when awarding sports scholarships; the sporting, the academic as well as the personal. Having a high sporting level can therefore carry you a long way towards a Scholarship, but not necessarily all the way in all cases.

What is the level of college in the US?

NSSA, we have successfully assisted both league players, division players as well as youth national team players to get scholarships in the US. The level of college football fluctuates from year to year and an unimpressive team can quickly become one of the best in the country before you know it.

With the good football education that Scandinavia provides and a level that in the US spans a wide range across the different federations, there are good opportunities for many. However, it can still be confusing to compare your own abilities with the different levels in college.

If you have any doubts about your footballing level in relation to opportunities in the US, here are a few tips you might find useful:

1. Watch matches from College in the US.

Find and watch highlights or full college matches and assess whether your own level can match – or even surpass – what you see. There are many games and teams to choose from, but watching a few different games from the different college leagues (NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA) can give you a good indication

2. Reach out to someone who is or has been a college student athlete in the US.

If you are well versed in your sport, you are sure to find a current or former student-athlete from your own country who has experienced it first-hand. It is said that the entire college system in the US has to be experienced before it is truly understood. If someone with experience can give you a few tips and advice, you are sure to learn a lot more.

3. Reach out to different colleges and universities.

It can be both difficult and confusing, but one way in whichThe best way to learn more about your college options is to proactively reach out to colleges and give them insight into both your athletic and academic performance and what you can bring to the table. It can be difficult to find the right people to get in touch with and responses can be patchy, but the response you receive, positive or negative, can give you an insight into what cards you hold and how good your options are.

4. Reach out to experts who can help you assess your options.

Let’s be honest… It can be a jungle to navigate the sporting level and opportunities of college in the US on your own. With thousands of colleges and many different tournaments, it’s difficult to assess and navigate on your own.
That’s why we – and all other college recruitment agencies – exist. Colleges and their coaches are used to contacting potential international student-athletes through agencies like us.
A good idea is to get in touch with some people who know a lot about it and can advise you. That’s what we have to say. But that’s the way it is.

Are you considering the College option?

If itis the dream having a professional career, using your athletic level to get into high academic schools or something else, it a trip to the US is without a doubt a great opportunity for you. Over the last 4 years we have helped several players from many clubs and it is likely you will know someone we have helped if you are a danish player.
Get in touch with us below if you’re thinking about college in the US or just need answers to a few questions.

Am I good enough for a Scholarship? Read More »

Do a gap year at a College in the US

If you’re dreaming of studying abroad after high school, college in the US could be the perfect option. In this short article, we’ll try to help you understand how to combine a gap year with sports, education and memorable experiences in the US.

A gap year in college in the US can be the perfect alternative.

College in the US can be the perfect option for those who want to travel during their gap year. Add to that the fact that you can practice your sport at an elite level, get a taste of American culture and can use your stay to enhance your resume and future job applications.
A gap year in college in the US can give you the full package: education, elite sports, experiences, travel and challenges all in one.

A year that resembles an international high school with a focus on sports.

Going to college in the US during your gap year is not like the traditional gap year of full moon parties in Thailand and autocambers in Australia.
With a gap year in the US, you will be enrolled in an international higher education program as a student athlete and during this year you will study while practicing your sport almost every day.
You’re not going to relax, you’re not going to stand still and you’re going to evolve.
This option – such a place – does not exist in Denmark or Scandinavia. The closest we get are colleges and sports schools.
The big difference is that the education you start.

In Denmark, if you want to pursue both higher education and your elite sport, this is done separately and in 2 different places: the university and the sports club where you train.
Unlike in Scandinavia, the sporting and academic aspects are fully integrated in your everyday life at College in the US.
Campus is where you train, go to school, play games, eat and hang out with your friends, teammates and fellow students – if you’re not at away games or experiencing the rest of the US during your vacations.

So I am going to school during my gap year at College in the US?

Yes, yes, yes! With a gap year in college in the US, education is also a focus. Although it may not be the first priority for many, it will be a regular part of everyday life and you can choose between the many subjects and try out a lot of things, such as can help you choose the right degree program back home in Denmark or simply be the starting point for a 4-year bachelor’s degree in the US.

How much does a stay cost?

The average cost of 1 year of college is very similar to the cost level of continuation schools and folk high schools in Denmark. However, this can vary greatly depending on the university or college in question. The most expensive universities are… expensive!

A big part of our work at NSSA is about reducing costs through scholarships, which are awarded based on athletic and academic performance and levels.

Cost	High-end	Middle-end	Low-end
Tuition and Fees	$50,000	$30,000	$10,000
Room and Board	$15,000	$10,000	$5,000
Books and Supplies	$1,500	$1,000	$500
Transportation	$2,000	$1,000	$500
Miscellaneous	$3,000	$2,000	$1,000
Total	$71,500	$44,000	$17,000
Scholarship Coverage	$57,200	$35,200	$13,600
Student’s Cost	$14,300	$8,800	$3,400

If you’re wondering what to do with your time after high school – whether it’s just a single year in the US, a full bachelor’s degree or something else you’re curious about, please get in touch with us!
Thank you very much for reading.

Do a gap year at a College in the US Read More »

April 4, 2023