Rugby scholarships in the United States and Canada
The experience that will change your life
With a rugby scholarship in the United States and Canada, you can enjoy a truly unique experience. Traveling across the U.S. and Canada while representing your educational institution is just one of the many benefits this opportunity offers. Additionally, you will develop academically and athletically, learn a new language, and make lifelong friendships from all over the world. Athletes are treated like true professionals, with access to top-notch facilities, professional training, travel opportunities, and sports equipment.
To obtain a rugby scholarship in the United States and Canada, the better your performance in competitions, the higher the interest from coaches, who will then offer higher-value scholarships. It is important to have official results to attract the attention of university coaches.
There are many universities with rugby programs in the U.S. and Canada. These universities belong to the following collegiate leagues: NCAA Divisions I, II, III, NAIA, and NJCAA.
Coaches receive applications from many athletes every day, so it is important to stand out and start the process for obtaining a rugby scholarship in the United States and Canada early. This way, you can stay in contact with coaches in advance and keep them updated on your latest results.
It is very important for athletes to have the support of Awex Education well in advance, so we can assess your real chances in the U.S. and Canada and ensure your athletic eligibility is not at risk.
At Awex Education, we handle the entire process so that you don’t have to worry about anything and can fully enjoy this incredible experience.
High School Rugby
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 Rugby
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.
Rugby en Estados Unidos y Canadá
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 student-athletes to combine competitive sports with university studies. Additionally, thanks to a rugby scholarship, athletes can cover a portion of their academic expenses. Often, there are also opportunities to combine academic scholarships, further reducing overall costs.
Schools in the United States and Canada offer rugby scholarships for their team members, allowing athletes to finance their studies through rugby.
Thanks to this opportunity, athletes can enjoy an experience that offers many advantages compared to the Spanish system: combining studies and sports, traveling for free across the U.S. and Canada with the team, earning an academic degree from a U.S. or Canadian institution, mastering English, meeting people from all over the world, and creating unforgettable experiences. Rugby opens up a world of possibilities for student-athletes.
Rugby scholarships in the United States and Canada
The number of rugby scholarships available at each educational institution varies depending on the school. Each athletic league sets a maximum number of scholarships that can be awarded, but within those limits, each school decides how to distribute them according to its criteria and needs.
Coaches award these scholarships as either full or partial scholarships to team players. Generally, to receive a rugby scholarship, a player must be among the best on the team.
Additionally, there are opportunities known as walk-ons, which allow players to join the team without initially receiving a scholarship. After a year in this position, and depending on the player’s performance, it is possible to earn a rugby scholarship for the following years.
Scholarship limit per team
The number of rugby scholarships varies depending on the educational institution. Each league sets a maximum number of scholarships, but schools may offer fewer scholarships than that limit if they choose.
A clear example is the universities in the Ivy League (such as Harvard), which do not offer athletic scholarships.
Rugby allows coaches to divide scholarships among several players. For example, in NCAA Division I men’s rugby, coaches can distribute the value of 12.6 scholarships among as many players as they wish.
In women’s rugby, in NCAA Division I the maximum is 18 scholarships, so if a player has the appropriate level, it is possible to receive a full scholarship.
How does the process of obtaining rugby scholarships in the United States and Canada work?
The goal of Awex Education is to help soccer players gain access to an educational institution in the United States with a soccer and/or academic scholarship. For this reason, we look for the best schools for each player, as well as the maximum possible athletic and/or academic scholarship.
Here is an overview of the process to obtain a soccer scholarship at an American school. In this first part, the player must focus on achieving their maximum athletic and academic performance:
Achieve the highest possible athletic level: The higher the athletic level, the greater the chances of obtaining a scholarship. In addition, the player will have a wider range of options to choose from. It is important to work on having the best video material, with sufficient footage from many matches, to ensure the best possible exposure.
Achieve the highest possible academic level: Focusing on studies is essential to reach the highest academic level. This opens up more options, including the possibility of earning academic scholarships that reduce annual costs. Early preparation for TOEFL and SAT exams is fundamental.
The second part of the process is handled by Awex Education. It is very important to contact Awex Education well in advance and start preparing the process early. This increases the chances of obtaining a sports scholarship in the United States and provides more options to choose from. We recommend starting the process 1 to 2 years before the planned start date in the U.S.
Our process begins with a personalized free evaluation of the athlete and their potential for a sports scholarship in the U.S., based on their soccer level, academic profile, and expectations of the athlete and their family. Awex Education provides this evaluation at no cost and without commitment, and we communicate with the athlete and their family to explain the realistic possibilities. Once the family decides to begin the process, we handle the following steps:
We study each athlete individually, considering athletic and academic levels and school preferences. We search for options that best match the athlete’s profile and family requirements.
We create a personal follow-up sheet for each athlete, planning steps with the family, exam dates, exam preparations (depending on league focus), and short-, medium-, and long-term objectives.
We provide support for SAT and TOEFL registration.
We provide guidance on creating the athletic video, which is crucial since coaches recruit players based on it. Awex Education handles the final editing of the soccer video.
With the final video, we create an academic and athletic profile of the player to contact soccer coaches.
We begin contacting schools that match the athlete’s and family’s preferences. We work with most U.S. schools across all states corresponding to the athlete’s profile.
We negotiate with each coach or school to obtain the maximum scholarship and the best possible conditions.
We present a report with multiple options in time for the family to make a decision. The report includes information such as school name, location, size, academic level, soccer level, tuition without scholarship, scholarship amount, and annual cost.
We provide several options within the budget so the family can choose.
We assist the athlete and family in choosing a school, advising and guiding them, though the final decision rests with the family.
We process the signature of the final offer from the chosen school.
We handle the admissions procedures for academic leagues in which the school participates (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA).
We manage the admissions process with the chosen school (submission of grades, SAT/TOEFL results, admission paperwork).
We prepare meal and housing plans for the athlete.
We arrange medical insurance in the U.S.
We handle the student visa process for the U.S. for each athlete.
We organize flights and arrival, ensuring the athlete is welcomed.
We provide guidance upon arrival with advice on money transfer, bank cards, and first-day questions in the U.S.
We assist with academic work opportunities within the school.
We offer continuous support throughout the athlete’s stay in the U.S. for any needs, school changes, questions, or paperwork—all at no additional cost.
For students in their 3rd or 4th year of university, we offer a course at an English university to prepare for the professional world and help secure job offers.
A key factor that differentiates our service is our close, personal approach. We maintain continuous contact with our athletes and families via WhatsApp or calls, and in case of urgency, we can be reached at any time outside office hours.
Academic requirements
Another important aspect to securing a good educational institution is the academic side: high school grades, SAT scores, and TOEFL results. If two students have very similar athletic levels but differ significantly in academics, the coach will usually offer the soccer scholarship to the student with the stronger academic profile.
This is because students must meet certain minimum standards, making academics just as important as soccer in several ways:
Athletic eligibility: Minimum grades are required to be eligible for participation in athletic leagues.
School acceptance: The student-athlete must meet the academic requirements on the SAT and TOEFL exams to be admitted to the schools.
Academic scholarships: It is also possible to obtain an academic scholarship, which can be added to the athletic scholarship, resulting in a larger total award. To earn academic scholarships, strong grades and high SAT and TOEFL scores are essential.
The higher the grades, the wider the range of options available to the athlete and the greater the financial support the school may provide.
Each school or coach has different minimum academic requirements. That is why, at Awex Education, we evaluate each student’s academic and athletic profile to find the institution that best fits each athlete.
What level of rugby is required?
In the United States and Canada, there are over a thousand educational institutions with rugby teams participating in various leagues. Within this wide range of schools, the level of rugby varies significantly.
Rugby programs award a higher number of scholarships to women than to men, so the chances of obtaining a rugby scholarship are generally greater for female athletes. Scholarships are granted based on each athlete’s athletic and academic performance.
Coaches typically begin contacting athletes one or even two years before they start at the school. However, final decisions are based on performance about a year before enrollment, when the athlete is in their last year of high school.
Although athletes may specialize in a specific event or position, coaches look for versatile players who can compete in multiple areas within their sport.
For middle- and long-distance athletes, opportunities may be even greater, as these athletes can compete in both cross-country and track events. Coaches may therefore show more interest in these athletes and offer higher scholarships.
What do rugby scholarships cover?
Rugby scholarships in the United States and Canada cover a percentage of the school’s expenses listed below. In the case of a full rugby scholarship, all of these costs are fully covered:
Tuition and fees
Books
Accommodation (dormitory or apartment)
Meals
Health insurance
Additionally, all athletes on the school’s rugby team—whether or not they have a rugby scholarship—always have the following rugby-related expenses covered: training sessions, sports equipment, official competitions, travel to competitions (transportation, accommodation, and meals), academic tutoring if needed, sports medicine, and physiotherapy.
How do American coaches measure an athlete's level?
Coaches assess a player’s rugby level based on several factors:
Official results or times.
National and international competitions.
Rugby video footage.
Awex Education evaluation.
Using all this information, at Awex Education we evaluate each athlete and their family and work with educational institutions that match their athletic and academic level, maximizing the chances of obtaining a sports scholarship and playing on 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.
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