How student-athletes score scholarships at top global universities
In today's global education landscape, student-athletes stand out, not just for their sporting excellence, but for their unique ability to unlock doors at top-tier universities.
Successfully combining academics and athletics creates a powerful profile, especially when applying to institutions in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
If you're an aspiring student-athlete dreaming of studying abroad, this comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know—from building a strong profile to securing scholarships and navigating the admissions process.
How Indian Students Can Secure College Sports Admissions in the U.S. & Beyond
Who is a student-athlete?
A student-athlete is a full-time university student who also competes in varsity-level sports for their college.
This structured pathway is especially prominent in North America, where organizations like the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics), and other college leagues ensure that sports and education go hand in hand.
Why choose the student-athlete route abroad?
Scholarship Opportunities:
Top universities often offer partial or full sports scholarships, significantly reducing tuition and living expenses.
World-Class Training and Coaching:
State-of-the-art facilities and professional coaching help athletes reach peak performance.
Holistic Growth:
The system is built to support both academic and athletic goals, without forcing a choice between the two.
Global Exposure and Networking:
Student-athletes enter diverse networks of peers, mentors, and alumni across the globe, creating long-term career and life opportunities.
How to study abroad through sports
Student-athletes planning to study abroad can plan their journey by following the steps outlined below:
1. Start Early:
Begin planning by Grade 9–11; research countries, sports, and universities.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Ultra-Luxury 3–5 BHKs Overlooking the Arabian Sea
L&T The Gateway
Enquire Now
Undo
2. Build Your Sports Profile:
Create a resume, record highlight videos, and track rankings/stats.
3. Maintain Academic Excellence:
Keep strong grades and prepare for SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS.
4. Contact Coaches:
Email shortlisted coaches with your sports profile and personalised message.
5. Get Evaluated:
Use rankings or attend camps to benchmark your level.
6. Understand Recruitment & Scholarships:
Communicate regularly with coaches and apply formally when ready.
7. Prepare Key Documents:
Include transcripts, test scores, recommendation letters, resume, and personal statement.
8. Stay Organised:
Track deadlines, check eligibility (e.g., NCAA/NAIA), and prepare for visa processes.
Which sports offer the best opportunities?
Sports like tennis, golf, swimming, and track & field offer the best opportunities for international student-athletes, as they rely on measurable stats and rankings—making it easier for coaches to assess talent remotely.
Soccer, basketball, and fencing offer moderate opportunities but often require showcase participation or video-based evaluations.
Emerging sports like hockey, squash, shooting, and equestrian have fewer programs but can still lead to scholarships for standout athletes.
Quantitative sports generally provide smoother recruitment pathways due to their data-driven nature.
The student-athlete journey goes far beyond scholarships. It builds life skills that last a lifetime—discipline, time management, leadership, and resilience. Whether you pursue a pro career or pivot to other fields, these experiences shape you into a global citizen with a competitive edge.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us
here
.
Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
6 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Donald Trump demands NFL football team Washington Commanders, Baseball team Cleveland Guardians name change. Owners have other ideas
Washington dropped Redskins after the 2019 season and was known as the Washington Football Team for two years before moving to Commanders. Cleveland announced in December 2020 it would drop Indians. It announced the switch to Guardians in July 2021. In 2018, the team phased out "Chief Wahoo' as its primary logo. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Washington Commanders, Cleveland Guardians FILE - Washington Commanders jerseys are displayed at an event to unveil the NFL football team's new identity, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Jul 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) rounds third base en route to scoring on a hit by designated hitter David Fry (not pictured) during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images FAQs President Donald Trump wants Washington's football franchise Washington Commanders and Cleveland's baseball team Cleveland Guardians to revert to their former names. Josh Harris, whose group bought the Commanders from former owner Dan Snyder in 2023, said earlier this year the name was here to stay. Not long after taking over, Harris quieted speculation about going back to Redskins, saying that would not happen. Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti indicated before Sunday's game against the Athletics that there weren't any plans to revisit the name Trump said Sunday on his Truth Social site that 'The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past. Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!'Both teams have had their current names since the 2022 seasons. Washington dropped Redskins after the 2019 season and was known as the Washington Football Team for two years before moving to announced in December 2020 it would drop Indians. It announced the switch to Guardians in July 2021. In 2018, the team phased out "Chief Wahoo' as its primary name changes had their share of supporters and critics as part of national discussions about institutions and teams to drop logos and names considered Guardians are the fifth name for Cleveland's baseball franchise. It joined the American League in 1901 as one of the eight charter franchises as the Blues. It switched to the Bronchos a year later and used the Naps from 1903 through 1914 before moving to the Indians in started in Boston as the Redskins in 1933 before moving to the nation's capital four years and Cleveland share another thing in common. David Blitzer is a member of Harris' ownership group with the Commanders and holds a minority stake in the Guardians.A1. Washington's football franchise is Washington Commanders.A2. Cleveland's baseball team is Cleveland Guardians.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump demands NFL football team Washington Commanders, Baseball team Cleveland Guardians name change. Owners have other ideas
President Donald Trump wants Washington's football franchise Washington Commanders and Cleveland's baseball team Cleveland Guardians to revert to their former names. Josh Harris, whose group bought the Commanders from former owner Dan Snyder in 2023, said earlier this year the name was here to stay. Not long after taking over, Harris quieted speculation about going back to Redskins, saying that would not happen. Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti indicated before Sunday's game against the Athletics that there weren't any plans to revisit the name change. President Trump said Sunday on his Truth Social site that 'The Washington 'Whatever's' should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past. Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!!' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Design Thinking Degree Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics MCA MBA Technology Project Management Management Operations Management Data Science Leadership Cybersecurity Public Policy Product Management Digital Marketing Finance Data Science CXO healthcare Healthcare Others others PGDM Skills you'll gain: Duration: 25 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK PCP DTIM Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks IIM Indore CERT-IIMI DTAI Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Washington Commanders, Cleveland Guardians by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo Both teams have had their current names since the 2022 seasons. Washington dropped Redskins after the 2019 season and was known as the Washington Football Team for two years before moving to Commanders. AP FILE - Washington Commanders jerseys are displayed at an event to unveil the NFL football team's new identity, Feb. 2, 2022, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file) Live Events Cleveland announced in December 2020 it would drop Indians. It announced the switch to Guardians in July 2021. In 2018, the team phased out "Chief Wahoo' as its primary logo. Reuters Jul 20, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) rounds third base en route to scoring on a hit by designated hitter David Fry (not pictured) during the fourth inning against the Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The name changes had their share of supporters and critics as part of national discussions about institutions and teams to drop logos and names considered racist. The Guardians are the fifth name for Cleveland's baseball franchise. It joined the American League in 1901 as one of the eight charter franchises as the Blues. It switched to the Bronchos a year later and used the Naps from 1903 through 1914 before moving to the Indians in 1915. Washington started in Boston as the Redskins in 1933 before moving to the nation's capital four years later. Washington and Cleveland share another thing in common. David Blitzer is a member of Harris' ownership group with the Commanders and holds a minority stake in the Guardians. FAQs Q1. What is name of Washington's football franchise? A1. Washington's football franchise is Washington Commanders. Q2. What is name of Cleveland's baseball team? A2. Cleveland's baseball team is Cleveland Guardians.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Who is Golfer Scheffler? 2025 Open Champion and Texas Rangers fan on track to hit $100 million in PGA Tour earnings
Scottie Scheffler has firmly cemented his legacy as one of golf's modern greats. The 29-year-old, currently ranked world number one, clinched his fourth major title and third leg of the career Grand Slam on Sunday, July 20, winning the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush by four strokes. Scheffler carded a final-round 68 to finish at 17-under 267. The win adds to his dominant year, having already secured the 2025 PGA Championship by five shots. With victories at The Masters (2022, 2024), the PGA, and now The Open, he only lacks the US Open to complete the coveted Grand Slam. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Artificial Intelligence Project Management Data Science Finance Product Management Operations Management Others Digital Marketing Data Analytics Design Thinking Data Science Public Policy Healthcare MBA Leadership others Degree MCA Cybersecurity CXO Management PGDM Technology healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Scheffler became only the fourth player in Open history to shoot 68 or better in all four rounds. This was also the 11th consecutive time he converted a 54-hole lead into a win. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Surat: 1 Trick to Reduce Belly Fat? Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo He joins Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan as the only golfers to win multiple majors by four or more strokes in a single year. Since February 2022, Scheffler has collected 20 global victories. Live Events Who is Scottie Scheffler? Scheffler was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, on June 21, 1996. His family moved to Dallas after 9/11, where his golf journey began. His father, a carpenter-turned-stay-at-home dad, and his mother, a law firm executive, supported his early passion. By age nine, Scheffler was challenging pros at Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas. He went on to dominate the Northern Texas junior circuit, winning 90 out of 136 tournaments. He also clinched the 2013 US Junior Amateur and was ranked the No. 1 junior golfer in 2014. He played college golf for the Texas Longhorns and was named the 2015 Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year. Despite battling back injuries, he qualified for the US Open twice as an amateur and finished as the low amateur in 2017. Personal life Scheffler married his high school sweetheart, Meredith Scudder, in 2020. They had their first child, Bennett, in 2024 and live in Dallas. Scheffler is open about his Christian faith and attends Park Cities Presbyterian Church. He often studies the Bible with his caddie, Ted Scott. The golfer is also active in philanthropy. He supports the Triumph Over Kid Cancer Foundation, which honors a childhood friend who passed away. In 2024, he auctioned off his car to raise funds for the cause. Scheffler has built a clean, disciplined public image. He made headlines in May 2024 after being briefly arrested before the PGA Championship, but all charges were later dropped. Authorities confirmed it was a misunderstanding. A fan of the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers Away from golf, he is a fan of the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. He even threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Rangers game in 2022, wearing his Masters green jacket. Scheffler also appeared in the Netflix sports documentary Full Swing and made a cameo in Happy Gilmore 2. In 2023, he became a co-owner of a pickleball team, the Texas Ranchers. With three legs of the Grand Slam secured and unmatched form, Scottie Scheffler now eyes the U.S. Open to complete the rarest achievement in golf. For his peers, like Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, the message is clear: Scheffler is the standard they are chasing. 'His bad shots are really good,' said fellow golfer Shane Lowry. 'That's when you know he's special.' How much prize money has Scottie Scheffler earned in 2025? Scheffler's jaw-dropping 2025 haul stands at $19.2 million in prize money alone, following his Open Championship win at Royal Portrush. While that figure is shy of his record-setting $62.2 million in 2024, it still places him far ahead of most of his peers this season. The Texan's career earnings on the PGA Tour have now soared to nearly $88 million, making him the third-highest earner of all time, behind only Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. At his current pace, Scheffler is on track to break the $100 million mark by mid-2026, joining an elite club that speaks volumes about his consistency, dominance, and staying power in the modern era of golf.
