American Football Scholarships in the United States and Canada
The experience that will change your life
American football is one of the sports with the highest number of international athletes on its teams. In recent years, many athletes from Europe have chosen to continue their academic studies and athletic careers through American football scholarships in the United States and Canada.
As in every sport, each part of the process is essential — from building a strong academic and athletic profile, to preparing quality videos, competition records, and statistics.
One of the most important elements in American football is the highlight video. This video should showcase your skills and best moments during competitions and friendly games, and can also include training clips.
To maximize success, this video must be professionally guided and edited. That’s why at Awex Education, we advise and assist athletes throughout the recording and final editing process to ensure the best possible result.
There are many educational institutions with American football programs in the United States and Canada. These schools compete in the following university leagues: NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA.
It is very important for the athlete to work with Awex Education well in advance. This allows us to evaluate realistic opportunities in the U.S. and Canada and determine which league or division is reasonable for the athlete to compete in with an American football scholarship — ensuring their eligibility and academic acceptance are not at risk.
Furthermore, each league has different levels of football. For this reason, each athlete will have different schools that are the best fit for their individual profile and skill level.
High School American Football
If you are between 12 and 17 years old, have an intermediate level of English, and a grade above 6 out of 10, you can apply for a scholarship to study at a High School in the United States or Canada.
University American Football
If you are 16 years or older, have an intermediate level of English, and a grade above 6 out of 10, you can apply for a scholarship to study at a University in the United States or Canada.
American Football in the United States and Canada
Our CEO, William Touchard, explains in detail everything you need to know about the sports program.
Do you have any questions?
Why the United States and Canada?
The American education system is the only system that allows athletes to combine competitive sports with academic studies. In addition, football players can receive athletic scholarships and may also be eligible for academic scholarships, which together can significantly reduce educational costs and help finance their studies through American football.
Thanks to this opportunity, athletes can enjoy an experience with many advantages over the Spanish system, including:
Balancing studies and sports
Traveling across the United States and Canada with their team
Earning an academic degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution
Achieving fluency in English
Meeting people from many different countries
Living unforgettable experiences
These are just a few of the many benefits this pathway offers.
Through American football, athletes gain a world of opportunities, making it a way to recover the investment of time and money that they and their families have dedicated to the sport.
American Football Scholarships in the United States and Canada
Each athletic league has a maximum number of American football scholarships that can be awarded. Within these limits, each school decides how to allocate scholarship funds among its players.
Coaches distribute the funds as full and partial football scholarships to members of the team.
Typically, players must be among the top performers on the team to earn an athletic scholarship.
There are also opportunities known as “walk-on” positions. These allow players to join the team without receiving a football scholarship.
After one year in this position, depending on the player’s performance and contribution, they may earn a scholarship for the following seasons.
Scholarship limit per team
The number of American football scholarships available at each school varies from institution to institution.
Each athletic league has a maximum number of scholarships its member schools can offer. However, some schools may choose to offer fewer scholarships than this maximum, either by choice or due to budget limitations.
A clear example is the Ivy League (a group of academically prestigious universities, such as Harvard), which does not offer athletic scholarships.
In addition, American football is a sport where coaches can divide the available scholarships among the players on the team.
This means it is not necessary to give a full scholarship to every player — schools can offer partial scholarships or percentage-based awards.
How does the process of obtaining American football scholarships in the United States and Canada work?
The goal of Awex Education is to help American football players gain access to educational institutions in the United States through athletic and/or academic scholarships.
We work to find the best schools for each player and secure the maximum athletic and academic scholarship possible.
Below is an overview of the process for obtaining an American football scholarship at a U.S. school.
Stage 1: The Athlete’s Responsibilities
Achieve the highest athletic level possible:
The higher the athlete’s level, the greater their chances of earning a scholarship and having more options to choose from.
It is important to prepare high-quality videos over many matches in advance to showcase the player’s best moments.
Achieve the highest academic level possible:
Focusing on academics is essential to maximize opportunities.
Strong academic results can also lead to academic scholarships, reducing annual costs.
Early and thorough preparation for TOEFL and SAT exams is crucial.
Stage 2: Awex Education’s Support
At Awex Education, we handle the second part of the process.
It is very important to contact us well in advance to start preparing the process early.
This increases the chances of obtaining a scholarship in the United States and provides more options to choose from.
We recommend starting 1 to 2 years before the intended start date in the U.S. or Canada.
Our Step-by-Step Process
Individual evaluation:
We assess the athlete’s sports level, academic level, and preferences regarding schools.
We research options that best match the athlete’s academic, athletic, and financial profile and discuss them with the family.Personal follow-up plan:
We create a tracking sheet for each athlete, planning steps, exam dates, preparation, and short-, medium-, and long-term goals.Exam support:
We assist with SAT and TOEFL registration and preparation.Video support:
We guide the athlete in creating and editing a professional highlight video, essential for recruitment.Academic and athletic profile:
Using the final video, we create a comprehensive profile to present to coaches.School outreach:
We contact schools that match the athlete’s and family’s preferences.
We work with most U.S. and Canadian schools that fit the athlete’s profile.Scholarship negotiation:
We negotiate with each coach or school to obtain the maximum scholarship and best conditions.Report presentation:
We present a detailed report with multiple options, including school name, location, size, academic and football level, cost before scholarship, scholarship amount, and annual cost after scholarship.Multiple options:
We always provide several alternatives so the family can choose the best fit.School selection support:
We advise the family, but the final decision is theirs.Offer signing:
We manage the signing of the final offer with the chosen school.League eligibility process:
We handle registration with the school’s league (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA).School admission process:
We submit grades, SAT and TOEFL results, and all required documentation.Meal and housing arrangements:
We organize the student’s accommodation and meal plans.Health insurance:
We assist with obtaining medical insurance in the U.S. and Canada.Visa support:
We manage the student visa process for the U.S. or Canada.Travel and arrival:
We organize flights and ensure the athlete has support upon arrival.Arrival assistance:
We help with practical matters like money transfers, bank cards, and first-day questions.On-campus academic opportunities:
We assist students in finding academic work at their school.Ongoing support:
We provide continuous support throughout the athlete’s stay, including school changes, questions, or paperwork — at no extra cost.Career preparation:
During the third or fourth year, interested students can participate in a UK university course preparing them for the job market and helping them secure employment opportunities.
Personalized and Continuous Support
What sets Awex Education apart is our personalized, close support.
We maintain continuous communication with athletes and families via WhatsApp or phone calls, and in emergencies, contact is possible at any time, even outside office hours.
Academic requirements
The Importance of Academic Performance
In addition to athletic ability, academic performance plays a crucial role in gaining access to a top educational institution. This includes high school grades as well as SAT and TOEFL scores.
If two students have similar athletic levels but different academic profiles, the coach will usually offer the scholarship to the student with the stronger academic record.
This is because students must meet minimum academic requirements, making academics as important as football in several areas:
Athletic eligibility: Players must meet minimum academic standards to be accepted into the athletic leagues.
School admission: Athletes must meet the SAT and TOEFL requirements of the institutions.
Additional academic scholarships: Strong academic performance can earn extra scholarships, which can be added to the athletic scholarship to increase the total funding.
In summary, the higher the grades, the more options the player will have, and the greater the scholarship amount offered by the school.
Each school or coach sets their own minimum academic requirements.
At Awex Education, we carefully analyze each athlete’s academic and athletic profile to find the school that best matches their strengths and potential.
What level of American football is required?
There are over 1,000 educational institutions in the United States and Canada with American football teams that participate in various leagues.
Within this wide range of schools, the level of football also varies greatly.
Below is a reference for the football level generally required to obtain scholarships in the U.S. and Canada by league.
However, this level can vary, as a player’s level does not depend solely on the league. That’s why Awex Education evaluates each case individually.
NCAA Division I
These are larger universities with more sports programs.
Universities in this league generally have higher athletic levels than schools in other leagues.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s football level: Experience in third division, Division of Honor, youth teams of professional clubs, or national/regional teams
Women’s football level: Experience in first division, youth teams of professional clubs, and/or national/regional teams
NCAA Division II
These are smaller universities with strong sports programs, sometimes with athletic levels higher than some Division I schools.
Comparable to NAIA schools in size and facilities.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s football level: Experience in national youth leagues or competitive regional teams
Women’s football level: Experience in second division
NCAA Division III
Division III universities cannot offer athletic scholarships due to league rules, but they may provide academic scholarships that significantly reduce costs.
These are generally academically strong universities.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams with good scores; strong academic record
Men’s football level: Experience in local and regional federated teams
Women’s football level: Experience in local and regional federated teams
NAIA
These universities are similar in characteristics to NCAA Division II schools, with simpler rules regarding age eligibility.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s football level: Experience in top-level youth leagues
Women’s football level: Experience in second division
Junior College
These are two-year colleges, where students complete the first two years of university before transferring to a four-year institution to finish their degree.
Junior colleges can be a good option to improve academic and athletic level and secure a better final placement.
American football can be particularly beneficial, as four-year university coaches closely track players from NJCAA programs during their one- or two-year stay.
Students can spend one year and transfer to NCAA or NAIA, or complete two years before transferring.
Academic requirements: SAT not required; only TOEFL (in some cases even TOEFL is optional)
Men’s football level: Players of various skill levels, up to the highest NCAA Division I level
Women’s football level: Players of various skill levels, up to the highest NCAA Division I level
What do American football scholarships cover?
American football scholarships in the United States and Canada cover a percentage of school expenses listed below.
If a player receives a full scholarship, all these expenses are fully covered:
Tuition and fees
Books
Housing (dormitory or apartment)
Meals
Health insurance
In addition, all players on the school’s American football team, whether they have a scholarship or not, always have the following costs covered:
Football training sessions
Physical conditioning
Sports equipment (uniforms, training gear, etc.)
Official competitions
Travel to competitions (transportation, accommodation, and meals)
Academic tutoring, if needed
Sports medicine and physiotherapy
How do American coaches measure a player's skill level?
Coaches assess a player’s football level using several key factors:
Football video:
This is the most important element. Coaches do not personally know the player, so it is essential to create a highlight video showcasing the best moments in matches. Training clips can also be included.
At Awex Education, we guide athletes to produce the highest-quality video material.Sports résumé:
Includes details such as teams played for, leagues, and statistics.Awex Education evaluation:
We review the player’s video, meet the family, and evaluate the athlete’s profile and level.
After years of collaboration, coaches highly value our honest assessments.
Often, a player’s true level is not fully reflected in their league because football is a team sport, and top-level players can sometimes compete in lower divisions.
Using all this information, Awex Education evaluates each athlete and their family and works with schools that match their academic and football level, maximizing their chances of obtaining a sports scholarship and joining the right team.
Awex Stories
Real stories from our students and families in the United States and Canada. Discover how they lived their experience, what they learned, and how this adventure transformed their lives.
Awex Stories
Real stories from our students and families in the United States and Canada. Discover how they lived their experience, what they learned, and how this adventure transformed their lives.
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The most highly valued company in Europe
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