Volleyball scholarships in the United States and Canada
The experience that will change your life
Although until very recently American sports leagues did not include players of Spanish origin on their volleyball teams, the presence of Spanish players with volleyball scholarships in the United States and Canada has been increasing in recent years. Academic volleyball in the U.S. and Canada increasingly allows young athletes from around the world to combine studies and sport at a high competitive level.
As in all sports, every part of the process is important: creating an academic and athletic profile, videos, competitions, experience, and statistics. One of the key components in volleyball is creating a video that showcases your game skills, including highlights from championships and matches; training footage can also be used. This video should be guided by professionals to increase the chances of success, which is why at Awex Education we take care of advising you on the video recording and the final editing.
University sports in the United States are the only system that allows athletes to combine competitive volleyball with academic studies. Moreover, with an athletic scholarship, volleyball players can cover a percentage of their expenses. Often, there are also opportunities for academic scholarships that further reduce the total costs.
These schools offer volleyball scholarships in the United States and Canada for their team members, allowing players to finance their studies through volleyball.
Thanks to this opportunity, volleyball players can have an experience that offers many advantages compared to the Spanish system: combining academics and sports, traveling throughout the United States and Canada with the team, earning an academic degree from a U.S. or Canadian educational institution, mastering English, meeting people from all over the world, living unforgettable experiences, or even pursuing a professional volleyball career in European countries. For all these reasons, volleyball opens up a world of possibilities for athletes.
High School Volleyball
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 Volleyball
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.
Volleyball in the United States and Canada
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. Moreover, athletes can benefit from an athletic scholarship and potentially academic scholarships, which together can significantly reduce the cost of education and help finance their studies through volleyball.
Thanks to this opportunity, players can have an experience that offers many advantages compared to the Spanish system: combining academics and sports, traveling across the United States 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 living unforgettable experiences… These are just some of the many benefits this option provides. For all these reasons, volleyball opens up a world of possibilities for athletes—it is a way to recover the time and financial investment that athletes and their families have made in this sport.
Volleyball scholarships in the United States and Canada
Each athletic league has a maximum number of volleyball scholarships to distribute. Within those limits, schools allocate scholarship funds as they see fit for each player.
Coaches at educational institutions distribute the funds in full or partial volleyball scholarships to team members. Usually, players need to be among the best on the team to earn a volleyball scholarship. There are also other opportunities called walk-on, 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 volleyball scholarship for the following years.
Limit on scholarships per team
The number of volleyball scholarships available at each educational institution varies depending on the school. Each athletic league has a maximum number of volleyball scholarships they can offer, but they may provide fewer than that maximum if they choose to or if their budget does not allow them to offer the full amount.
A clear example is the universities that make up the IVY League (academically prestigious universities like Harvard), which do not offer athletic scholarships.
Additionally, volleyball is one of the sports in which coaches can divide the total number of scholarships among team members. It is not necessary to give a full scholarship to each athlete; they can offer a percentage or partial scholarships.
Here are tables showing the scholarship limits for volleyball that each university can have per volleyball team, the average team size, and the number of universities:
Women’s Volleyball
| Athletic League | Number of Universities | Scholarship Limit per Team | Average Players per Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA DI | 334 | 12 | 16 |
| NCAA DII | 298 | 8 | 16 |
| NCAA DIII * | 437 | – | 16 |
| NAIA | 222 | 8 | 18 |
| NJCAA | 320 | 14 | 13 |
| TOTAL | 1,611 |
Men’s Volleyball
| Athletic League | Number of Universities | Scholarship Limit per Team | Average Players per Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA DI | 22 | 4.5 | 19 |
| NCAA DII | 20 | 4.5 | 18 |
| NCAA DIII * | 94 | – | 13 |
| NAIA | 36 | – | 15 |
| NJCAA | – | – | – |
| TOTAL | 172 |
* Universities competing in NCAA Division III cannot offer athletic scholarships, so they do not provide volleyball scholarships, but other types of financial aid or academic scholarships may be available.
How does the process of obtaining volleyball scholarships in the United States and Canada work?
The goal of Awex Education is to help volleyball players from all over the world gain access to educational institutions in the United States with a volleyball and/or academic scholarship. For this reason, we look for the best schools for each athlete, as well as the maximum volleyball scholarship possible.
Here we explain the process of obtaining a volleyball scholarship at an American educational institution. This first part is where the athlete must focus to achieve the best athletic and academic results:
Achieving the highest possible volleyball level: The higher the athlete’s volleyball level, the greater the chances of obtaining a volleyball scholarship. Additionally, the athlete will have a wider range of options to choose from. It is important to work on having the best video material with enough footage from many matches to show the best possible highlights.
Achieving the highest possible academic level: It is very important to focus on studies to reach the highest academic level. This way, the athlete will have more available options, and may even obtain academic scholarships, reducing annual costs. Adequate preparation for TOEFL and SAT exams in advance is essential.
The second part of the process is handled by Awex Education. It is crucial to contact Awex Education well in advance and start preparing the process early. This increases the chances of obtaining a better athletic scholarship in the United States and Canada, giving the athlete more options to choose from.
We recommend starting the process 1 to 2 years before the intended start date in the United States and Canada.
Our process begins with a FREE personalized analysis of the athlete and their potential volleyball scholarship opportunities in the United States based on their volleyball level, academics, and the expectations of the athlete and their family. At Awex Education, we carry out this evaluation free of charge and without obligation, and we meet with the athlete and family to explain the real possibilities. Once the family decides to start the process, we take care of the following steps:
We analyze the individual case of each volleyball player, their athletic level, academic level, and preferences regarding schools. We look for the options that best fit the athlete’s sporting, academic, and financial profile. We communicate with the family to understand their needs and offer the best-suited options.
We create a personalized follow-up sheet for each athlete. In this sheet, we plan the steps to follow with the family, exam dates, preparation for these exams (depending on the league), and short-, medium-, and long-term goals.
We provide support for registering SAT and TOEFL exams.
We provide support in creating the athletic video, with guidance and tips to produce a strong video. This is very important because coaches use it to recruit players. We handle the final editing of the athlete’s volleyball video.
With the final video in hand, we create an academic and athletic profile of the athlete to contact volleyball coaches.
We begin contacting schools that match the athlete’s and family’s preferences. We work with most educational institutions in the United States and Canada, across all states that match the athlete’s profile.
We negotiate with each coach or school to obtain the maximum scholarship and the best conditions possible.
We present a report with several options in enough time to make a decision. The report includes information such as the school name, location, size, academic level, volleyball level, tuition without scholarship, scholarship amount, annual cost, etc.
We offer several options within the budget, and continue searching until the family finds the ideal choice.
We assist the athlete and family in choosing the school, advising and guiding them, but the final decision is theirs.
We process the final scholarship offer acceptance with the chosen school.
We carry out the admissions process for the athletic leagues in which the school competes (NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA).
We handle the admission process with the chosen school (sending grades, SAT and TOEFL exams, admissions paperwork, etc.).
We prepare the athlete’s meal and housing plans.
We handle obtaining health insurance in the United States and Canada.
We take care of the student visa process for the United States and Canada.
We organize flights and arrival so the athlete has someone to meet them.
We assist with arrival at the school, providing guidance and answering questions (money transfers, bank cards, initial questions in the United States and Canada).
We assist with academic work within the school.
We provide full support throughout the athlete’s stay in the United States and Canada for any needs, school changes, questions, or required paperwork, all at no extra cost.
For athletes in their 3rd or 4th university year, we offer an optional course at a UK university to prepare them for the professional world and help them secure job offers.
In addition to all of this, a key factor that sets our service apart is the personalized support. We maintain continuous contact with athletes and families via WhatsApp or calls, and in case of emergencies, we can be contacted anytime outside office hours.
Academic requirements
Another important aspect to secure a good school is the academic side: high school grades, SAT scores, and TOEFL results. If two students have very similar volleyball skills but there are significant differences in academic performance, the coach will usually offer the volleyball scholarship to the student with the stronger academic profile.
This is because students must meet minimum requirements, so academics are just as important as volleyball in several ways:
Athletic eligibility: Minimum grades must be met on exams to be accepted into the athletic leagues.
To be accepted into the educational institution, the volleyball player must meet the academic requirements on the SAT and TOEFL exams.
It is also possible to obtain an academic scholarship, which can be added to the athletic scholarship, resulting in a higher total scholarship. To obtain academic scholarships, students must have good high school grades and strong SAT and TOEFL results.
The higher the grades, the wider the range of options available to the athlete and the greater the funding offered by the school.
Each school or coach has different minimum academic requirements. That is why at Awex Education we study each student’s academic and athletic profile to find the university that best fits each volleyball player.
What level of volleyball is required?
In the United States and Canada, there are over a thousand schools with volleyball teams that are part of various academic leagues. Within this wide range of schools, the level of volleyball varies greatly. As a reference, we provide the volleyball level needed to be eligible for volleyball scholarships in the U.S. and Canada, depending on the academic league. However, this level can vary, since a player’s volleyball level does not depend solely on the league they compete in. That is why at Awex Education we analyze each case individually.
NCAA Division I:
These are larger schools with more sports programs. Generally, universities in this league have a higher sports level than those in other leagues.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s volleyball level: Experience in Superliga, Superliga 2, or national youth teams
Women’s volleyball level: Experience in Superliga, Superliga 2, or national youth teams
NCAA Division II:
These are smaller universities with a good sports level. In some cases, the sports level may be higher than in certain NCAA Division I schools. They are similar to NAIA universities in terms of size and facilities.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s volleyball level: Experience in Superliga 2, top 10 in Spain in the youth category, regional cadet team, national youth team training camps
Women’s volleyball level: Experience in Superliga 2, top 10 in Spain in the youth category, regional cadet team, national youth team training camps
NCAA Division III:
These universities cannot offer athletic scholarships due to league rules, but they may provide other types of aid, such as academic scholarships that can significantly reduce costs. These are mainly academically strong universities.
Academic requirements: Good SAT and TOEFL scores; strong academic level
Men’s volleyball level: Experience in national federated teams
Women’s volleyball level: Experience in national federated teams
NAIA:
These universities are similar to NCAA Division II. They have simpler rules regarding age eligibility to compete.
Academic requirements: SAT and TOEFL exams
Men’s volleyball level: Experience in Superliga 2 or 1st National
Women’s volleyball level: Experience in Superliga 2, 1st National, or top 10 in Spain in the youth category
Junior College:
These are two-year colleges, where students complete the first two years of university before transferring to a four-year school for the remaining two years. This can be a good option to improve both academic and athletic levels. In volleyball, it is particularly useful, as four-year university coaches often focus on recruiting players from these colleges and monitor their progress during the NJCAA years. Students can complete one year and then transfer to NCAA or NAIA, or complete two years before transferring.
Academic requirements: SAT not required; only TOEFL (in some cases even TOEFL is not required)
Men’s volleyball level: No NJCAA men’s volleyball league exists
Women’s volleyball level: Players of varying skill levels who show strong potential in the youth category. Coaches value experience in Superliga 2 or 1st National, as well as good performance in Spanish youth championships
What do volleyball scholarships cover?
Volleyball scholarships in the United States and Canada cover a percentage of the school’s expenses listed below. In the case of receiving a full volleyball scholarship, all of these expenses are covered:
Tuition and fees
Books
Housing (dormitory or apartment)
Meals
Health insurance
In addition, all athletes on the school’s volleyball team, whether or not they have a volleyball scholarship, always have the following volleyball-related expenses covered:
Volleyball training
Physical conditioning
Sports equipment (gear, sportswear, etc.)
Official competitions
Travel to competitions (transportation, accommodation, and meals)
Academic tutors if assistance with classes is needed
Sports medicine and physiotherapy
How do American coaches measure an athlete's level?
Coaches assess a player’s volleyball level through several factors:
Volleyball video: This is the most important part. Coaches often do not know the athlete personally, so it is crucial to create a strong Highlights video or show key moments from matches. Training footage can also be included. At Awex Education, we guide you to create the best possible material.
Athletic resume: Teams the athlete has played for, leagues, statistics, and other relevant experience.
Awex Education evaluation: We review the player’s video, meet the family, and evaluate the athlete’s profile and level. After years of experience, coaches highly value our honest opinion. Often, league rankings do not fully reflect a player’s true level, especially in team sports where higher-level athletes may compete in lower leagues.
With all this information, Awex Education evaluates each athlete and their family and works with educational institutions that match their volleyball and academic level, maximizing the chances 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.
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