The American educational system is the only one that allows student-athletes to combine competitive sports with university studies. Additionally, through a fencing scholarship, athletes can cover a percentage of their academic expenses. Often, there are opportunities to add academic scholarships that can also reduce total costs.

Universities in the United States and Canada offer fencing scholarships for their team members, allowing athletes to finance their studies through fencing.

Thanks to this opportunity, athletes can experience many advantages compared to the Spanish system: combining studies and sports, traveling for free across the United States and Canada with the sports team, earning an academic degree from an institution in the U.S. or Canada, learning perfect English, meeting people from many different countries, living unforgettable experiences… For all these reasons, athletes are given a world of possibilities thanks to fencing.

Each sports league has a set number of fencing scholarships to distribute. Within this limit, the institution allocates the scholarship money as deemed appropriate.

Coaches at educational institutions distribute fencing scholarships, both full and partial, to athletes on the team. Typically, athletes must be among the best on the team to receive a fencing scholarship. There are also other opportunities called “walk-ons,” which allow athletes to join the team without receiving a fencing scholarship. After a year in this position, depending on the athlete’s performance, they may earn a scholarship for the following years.

The number of fencing scholarships available at each educational institution varies. Each sports league has a maximum number of fencing scholarships they can offer, but they may offer fewer scholarships if they choose.

A clear example are the universities in the Ivy League (a prestigious academic league, including Harvard), which do not offer athletic scholarships.

Additionally, in fencing, coaches can divide the number of scholarships among the team members. For example, in NCAA D1, men’s fencing coaches can divide the value of 12.6 scholarships among as many athletes as they wish.

Women’s fencing in NCAA D1, on the other hand, has a maximum of 18 scholarships, so if the athlete has the right level, it’s possible to obtain a full fencing scholarship.

The goal of Awex Education is to help athletes from all over the world gain access to an educational institution in the United States with an athletic and/or academic scholarship. Therefore, we seek the best centers for each athlete, as well as the maximum athletic and/or academic scholarship.

Here’s how the process of obtaining a fencing scholarship at an American educational institution works. The first part is where the athlete needs to work to achieve the best possible athletic and academic results:

1. Achieve the Highest Fencing Level Possible: The higher the athlete’s level, the greater their chances of obtaining a shooting scholarship in the U.S. Additionally, they will have a wider range of options to choose from. It is important to plan fencing training and competition schedules to reach the best possible marks.
2. Achieve the Highest Academic Level Possible: It is very important to focus on studies to reach the highest academic level. This way, we can have more options available and even obtain academic scholarships to reduce the annual cost. Proper preparation for the TOEFL and SAT exams is essential.

In the second part of the process, we at Awex Education take over. It is very important to contact Awex Education well in advance and start preparing the process early. This will increase the chances of obtaining a sports scholarship in the United States and provide more options to choose from. We recommend starting the process between 1 and 2 years before the intended start date in the U.S.

We analyze the individual case and their chances of obtaining an athletic scholarship in the United States based on the fencing level, academic performance, and expectations of the student and their family. At Awex Education, we provide this FREE evaluation with no obligation and meet with the athlete and family to explain the real possibilities. Once the family decides to start the process, we handle the following steps:

• We study the individual case of each athlete, sports level, academic level, and preferences regarding educational institutions. We look for options that best match your preferences and sports, academic, and financial profile. We talk to the family and examine what they are looking for to offer them the best options that meet the family’s requirements.
• We create a personal tracking sheet for each athlete’s case. In this tracking sheet, we plan with the family the steps to follow, exam dates, preparation for these exams (depending on the league’s focus), as well as short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives of the process.
• We offer support for SAT and TOEFL exam registrations.
• We offer support in creating the sports video with advice and guidance to obtain a good video. The video is very important as it is used to recruit players. We handle the final editing of the athlete’s video.
• With the final video in hand, we create an academic and sports profile of the athlete to contact shooting coaches.
• We start contacting institutions that match the athlete’s profile and preferences. We work with most educational institutions in the United States, from all states that correspond to the athlete’s profile.
• We negotiate with each coach or institution to obtain the maximum scholarship and the best possible conditions for each athlete.
• We present a report with several options with enough time to make a decision. The report includes information such as: name of the institution, location, size, academic level, sports level, price without scholarship, scholarship amount, annual price to pay…
• We offer several options within the budget. We will always provide several alternatives so that families can choose among them.
• We help the athlete and their family in choosing the institution, we advise and guide, but the final decision is made by the family.
• We handle the signing of the final offer from the educational institution with which the athlete wants to commit.
• We carry out the admission procedure for the academic leagues in which the school competes (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA).
• We carry out the admission process with the chosen institution (sending transcripts, sending SAT and TOEFL exams, admission paperwork…).
• We finalize the meal and accommodation plans for the athlete.
• We take care of obtaining health insurance in the U.S.
• We handle the processing of the student visa for the U.S. with each athlete.
• We organize the flights and arrival of the athlete to ensure they have someone upon arrival.
• We help with the arrival at the institution with advice and assistance with questions (sending money, banking cards, questions on initial arrival in the U.S.).
• We assist in obtaining academic work within the institution.
• We provide support throughout the athlete’s stay in the United States for anything they need, school changes, questions, or necessary paperwork. All at NO additional cost.
• When students are in their 3rd or 4th year of university, we offer a course at an English university that prepares them for the job market and helps them obtain job offers.

In addition to all this, a very important factor that makes a difference in our service is the personal approach. We are in constant contact with our athletes and their families. We communicate via WhatsApp or calls, and in case of an emergency, you can contact us at any time outside office hours.