Golf scholarships in the United States and Canada
The experience that will change your life
Thanks to a golf scholarship in the United States or Canada, you can live a unique experience. Traveling across the U.S. while representing your school is just one of the many advantages of this opportunity. Additionally, you will develop academically and athletically, learn a new language, and make friendships from all over the world. Players are treated like true professionals, with access to the best facilities, professional training, travel, and sports equipment.
To obtain a golf scholarship in the U.S. and Canada, it’s not just about achieving good results. The key is to perform well in the right competitions.
Coaches receive applications from many athletes every day, so it’s important to stand out and start the golf scholarship process early. This allows you to stay in contact with coaches and keep them updated on new results and information.
There are many universities with golf programs in the United States. These universities belong to the following collegiate leagues: NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA.
At Awex Education, we handle the entire process so you don’t have to worry about anything and can fully enjoy this incredible experience.
Golf in High School
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.
Golf in University
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.
Golf 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 collegiate sports system in the United States and Canada is the only system that allows athletes to combine competitive golf with academic studies. In addition, with a sports scholarship, golfers can cover a portion of their expenses. Often, there are also opportunities for academic scholarships, which can further reduce total costs.
These educational institutions offer golf scholarships to their team members, allowing golfers to finance their studies through golf.
Thanks to this opportunity, golfers can enjoy an experience that offers many advantages compared to the Spanish system: combining academics and sport, traveling across the U.S. with the team, earning an academic degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution, learning perfect English, meeting people from many different countries, and living unforgettable experiences. For all these reasons, golf opens up a world of possibilities for student-athletes.
Golf scholarships in the United States and Canada
Each collegiate league has a maximum number of golf scholarships to distribute. Within these limits, schools allocate the scholarship funds as they see fit.
Coaches at educational institutions distribute full and partial golf scholarships to team members. Usually, you need to be among the best players on the team to receive a golf scholarship.
There are also opportunities called walk-on positions, which allow players to join the team without receiving a scholarship. After a year in this position, depending on the player’s performance, they may earn a golf scholarship for the following years.
Limit on scholarships per team
The number of golf scholarships available at each institution varies depending on the school. Each collegiate league has a maximum number of golf scholarships it can offer, but schools may choose to offer fewer scholarships than the maximum.
A clear example is the Ivy League universities (prestigious academic schools like Harvard), which do not offer athletic scholarships.
Additionally, golf is a sport in which coaches can split the value of golf scholarships among team members. For example, in NCAA Division I, coaches can divide the value of 4.5 scholarships among as many players as they wish.
For women’s golf, in NCAA Division I, there is a maximum of 8 scholarships for 8 players, so if a player has the appropriate level, they can receive a full golf scholarship.
Below are tables showing the scholarship limits per golf team, the average team size, and the number of universities:
Men’s Golf
| Collegiate League | Number of Universities | Scholarship Limit per Team | Average Players per Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA D I | 297 | 4.5 | 10 |
| NCAA D II | 221 | 3.6 | 11 |
| NCAA D III * | 283 | – | 11 |
| NAIA | 173 | 5 | 10 |
| NJCAA | 190 | 8 | 9 |
| TOTAL | 1,164 |
Women’s Golf
| Collegiate League | Number of Universities | Scholarship Limit per Team | Average Players per Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA D I | 258 | 6 | 8 |
| NCAA D II | 158 | 5.4 | 8 |
| NCAA D III * | 165 | – | 8 |
| NAIA | 131 | 5 | 7 |
| NJCAA | 47 | 8 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 759 |
* Universities competing in NCAA Division III cannot offer athletic scholarships, so they do not provide golf scholarships, but other forms of financial aid or academic scholarships may be available.
How does the process of obtaining golf scholarships in the United States and Canada work?
The goal of Awex Education is to enable golfers to access an educational institution in the United States with a golf and/or academic scholarship. Therefore, we search for the best institutions for each player and aim for the maximum golf scholarship possible.
Here’s how the process to obtain a golf scholarship at an American university works. The first part is where the golfer must focus on achieving the best sporting and academic results:
Achieving the highest possible golf level: The higher the golfer’s level, the greater the chances of obtaining a golf scholarship in the United States and Canada. It also increases the number of options available to choose from. It is important to plan golf training and competition schedules to reach the highest possible level.
Achieving the highest possible academic level: Focusing on studies is essential to reach the highest academic level. This increases available options and can even allow the golfer to obtain academic scholarships, reducing the overall cost. Proper preparation for the TOEFL and SAT exams in advance is fundamental.
The second part of the process is handled by Awex Education. It is very important to contact us well in advance to start preparing the process, increasing the chances of obtaining the best golf scholarship in the United States and Canada, and providing more options to choose from.
We analyze each case individually to assess the possibilities of obtaining a golf scholarship in the U.S. and Canada, based on the golfer’s sporting level, academic level, and expectations of the student and their family. Awex Education provides this FREE evaluation with no obligation and meets with the golfer and family to explain the real possibilities. Once the family decides to start the process, we handle the following steps:
Study the individual case of each golfer, including golf level, academic level, and preferences for institutions, and find the options that best match their sporting, academic, and financial profile. We discuss with the family to understand their goals and offer the best-fitting options.
Create a personal tracking sheet for each golfer, planning the steps with the family, exam dates, preparation (depending on the league), and short-, medium-, and long-term goals.
Provide support for SAT and TOEFL exam registrations.
Assist in creating a sports video, providing advice and guidance to produce a high-quality video, as coaches use this for recruitment. We handle the final video editing.
With the final video, we create an academic and athletic profile to share with golf coaches.
Begin contacting institutions that match the golfer’s and family’s profile and preferences. We work with the majority of educational institutions in the U.S. and Canada across all relevant states.
Negotiate with each coach or institution to obtain the maximum scholarship and best possible conditions for each golfer.
Present a report with multiple options in advance to allow informed decision-making. The report includes: institution name, location, size, academic level, golf level, tuition without scholarship, scholarship amount, and annual cost.
Offer several options within the budget. We always provide multiple alternatives for families to choose from.
Assist the golfer and family in choosing the institution, giving advice and guidance, but the final decision is up to the family.
Process the signature of the final offer from the chosen institution.
Complete the eligibility procedures for the athletic leagues in which the institution competes (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA).
Handle the admissions process with the chosen institution (submission of grades, SAT and TOEFL exams, admissions paperwork, etc.).
Prepare meal and housing plans for the golfer.
Manage health insurance arrangements in the U.S. and Canada.
Handle the student visa process for the U.S. and Canada.
Organize flights and arrival so the golfer has support upon arrival.
Provide guidance and assistance upon arrival (sending money, bank cards, questions during the first days in the U.S. or Canada).
Assist in securing academic work within the institution.
Provide full support throughout the golfer’s stay in the U.S. and Canada for any needs, school changes, questions, or required paperwork—all at no extra cost.
For students in their junior or senior year of university, we offer an English university course that prepares them for the workforce and helps them secure job offers.
A key factor that makes our service stand out is our personalized approach. We maintain continuous contact with our athletes and families via WhatsApp or calls, and in case of emergency, we can be contacted anytime outside office hours.
Academic requirements
Another important factor in securing a good institution is the academic component—high school grades, SAT scores, and TOEFL results. If two students have a very similar golf level but significant differences in academic performance, the coach will usually offer the golf scholarship to the student with the stronger academic record.
This is because students must meet minimum academic requirements, making academics just as important as golf in several aspects:
Athletic eligibility: Students must meet minimum grade requirements on exams to be accepted into the academic leagues.
Institutional acceptance: To be admitted to the educational institutions, golfers must meet the academic requirements on the necessary exams.
Academic scholarships: It is even possible to receive an academic scholarship in addition to the athletic scholarship, increasing the total scholarship amount. To qualify, students need strong high school grades and good results on the SAT and TOEFL exams.
Therefore, the higher the academic results, the greater the number of options available to the golfer and the higher the scholarship amount offered by the institution.
Each institution or coach has different minimum academic standards. That is why, at Awex Education, we study each golfer’s academic and athletic profile to find the institution that best fits their needs.
What level of golf is required?
In the United States and Canada, there are more than a thousand educational institutions with golf teams that are part of various academic leagues. Within this wide range of schools, the level of golf varies significantly. Below is a reference for the golf level generally needed to qualify for a golf scholarship in the U.S. and Canada, depending on the academic league:
NCAA Division I:
These are larger universities with a wide range of sports programs. Generally, universities in this league have a higher level of athletic competition than other leagues.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s golf level: Top 20 in the national boys’ ranking, with international experience and ranking. Handicap (HCP) < 0. Listed in WAGR. Average score under 75.
Women’s golf level: Top 25 in the national ranking. International experience and ranking. HCP: 0–2. Average score under 75.
NCAA Division II:
Smaller universities with good sports programs, similar in size and facilities to NAIA schools.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s golf level: Top 50 in the national boys’ ranking, some international experience. HCP ≤ 2. Average score under 78.
Women’s golf level: National and international experience. HCP ≥ 3. Average score under 82.
NCAA Division III:
Universities in this division cannot offer athletic scholarships due to league rules, but they can provide other forms of aid, such as academic scholarships, which can significantly reduce costs. These schools are primarily academically strong.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams with good scores. Strong academic record.
Men’s golf level: Experience in clubs and regional/national tournaments. HCP ≤ 5. Average score under 80.
Women’s golf level: Experience in clubs and regional/national tournaments. HCP ≥ 6. Average score under 82.
NAIA:
These universities are similar to NCAA Division II schools. They have simpler rules regarding age eligibility for competition.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s golf level: Experience in clubs and regional/national tournaments. HCP ≤ 4. Average score under 80.
Women’s golf level: Experience in clubs and national tournaments. HCP ≥ 5. Average score under 92.
Junior College (Two-Year Colleges):
These are two-year colleges where students complete the first two years of university before transferring to a four-year school to finish their degree. This can be a good option to improve both academic and athletic levels and secure a better final placement.
Academic requirements: SAT exam not required; only TOEFL required
Men’s golf level: Varies depending on the college
Women’s golf level: Varies depending on the college
What do golf scholarships cover?
Golf scholarships in the United States and Canada cover a percentage of university expenses. In the case of a full golf scholarship, all of the following expenses are covered:
Tuition and fees
Books
Housing (dormitory or apartment)
Meals
Health insurance
Additionally, all golfers on the school’s golf team, whether they have a scholarship or not, always have the following covered:
Golf training
Physical conditioning sessions
Sports equipment
Official competitions
Travel to competitions (transportation, lodging, and meals)
Academic tutors if extra help is needed
Sports medicine and physiotherapy
How do American coaches measure a golfer's skill level?
Coaches measure a golfer’s level through several factors:
Rankings, results, and statistics.
Participation in national and international tournaments.
Number of strokes (scores).
Golf video. It is important to record important competitions with good quality.
Awex Education evaluation.
In-person visits from college coaches. At Awex Education, we organize visits from coaches for our top-level players. This allows our players and their families to meet the coaches in person, and the coaches can see them play live to get a more accurate idea of their level. This increases the chances of obtaining a golf scholarship at a high-level school.
With all this information, at Awex Education we evaluate each player and work with educational institutions that match their golf level, offering good possibilities of obtaining a sports scholarship and joining the 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.
The most highly valued company in Europe
(Over 175 reviews)
The most highly valued company in Europe
(Over 175 reviews)
