Many international students and their parents believe that an athletic scholarship is the only way to reduce the cost of studying in the United States. However, that is simply not the case. In addition to athletic scholarships, US universities award generous academic scholarships (academic scholarships or merit scholarships). At the majority of institutions, you can combine both funding sources. In college athletics, this is known as 'stacking' scholarships. For you as an international student-athlete, scholarship stacking can yield thousands—or even over $10,000 per year—in additional financial support.
What is an academic scholarship?
An academic scholarship is a financial award provided by a university based on your academic performance in the classroom. Unlike an athletic scholarship, it has nothing to do with your athletic ability on the field.
Universities evaluate candidates for academic scholarships based primarily on:
- Your cumulative grade point average from high school or college (learn how to calculate your US GPA here).
- Standardized test scores if applicable (such as the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test).
American universities use these scholarships strategically to recruit driven students who elevate the overall academic average of the campus.
How scholarship stacking works in practice
Because college coaches operate under strict athletic scholarship budget limits per team, stacking is the primary strategy coaches use to build an attractive financial package.
If a university costs $45,000 per year and the coach only has $15,000 in athletic funding available, your out-of-pocket expense would normally be $30,000. However, if you also maintain strong high school grades and test scores, you may qualify for institutional merit aid. If your academic award is $17,000, your final out-of-pocket cost drops to $13,000 per year.
Why good grades translate directly into financial savings
Many athletes focus 100% of their energy on sports during high school. While understandable, neglecting academics means leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
Strong academic results translate directly into financial savings in America! High grades provide major advantages:
- Lower out-of-pocket costs: You qualify for direct academic merit discounts.
- Higher appeal to coaches: A coach needs less athletic money to recruit you if your grades cover a significant portion of tuition.
- Expanded university options: Institutions with higher academic entry standards become accessible.
- Stronger case for athletic eligibility: You easily meet requirements for the NCAA or NAIA Eligibility Center.
Why the highest athletic scholarship is not always the best choice
Never fixate solely on the athletic percentage or dollar figure offered from a coach’s sports budget. It is essential that the complete picture aligns athletically, academically, and personally.
Compare these two real-world scenarios:
- University A: Offers a 100% Full Scholarship in NCAA Division 1. However, the team loses almost every match, you get minimal playing time, the academic reputation is low, and there is little personal connection with the coaching staff.
- University B: Offers a combination of a 60% athletic scholarship and a 30% academic scholarship (10% family contribution). Here, you join a top NAIA program, compete for National Championships, earn significant playing time, build a great relationship with the staff, and earn a respected degree.
University B delivers a far superior athletic experience and better long-term career prospects after graduation.
How Made Scholarships maximizes your financial support
At Made Scholarships, we don’t simply look for the coach offering the highest athletic scholarship figure on paper. We evaluate the entire financial, athletic, and academic picture and negotiate directly with coaches to optimize the stacking of athletic and academic funds.
Our goal is not just to secure the highest athletic scholarship on paper, but to land you at your dream university under the most favorable financial conditions.
Curious how much financial aid you qualify for?
Many student-athletes focus exclusively on athletic scholarships, missing out on thousands of dollars in available academic funding.
During our free intake consultation, we evaluate both your athletic footage and your academic credentials. This allows us to provide an honest, accurate, and transparent overview of your total scholarship potential in America.