Athletics and Track Scholarships in the USA for Australian Athletes
Olympic Sports Scholarships has helped 74 Australian athletes study and compete at US universities on sports scholarships. We guide you from your first GPA review to your first day on campus.
Our 2027 track record
Australians are one of the biggest groups we work with. 74 of the 430+ track and field athletes we've helped are from Australia, second only to the UK.
57% of our athletes compete in NCAA Division I and 36% in Division II, with the rest in the NAIA or junior college. Across the programme, our athletes include 9 world medallists, 2 European champions and 11 European medallists.
Australian athletes we've placed
One of Australia's most decorated World Youth Championship athletes, with four world silver medals. We found a coach who would build around her speed.
Read Charlotte's storyAn elite high jumper. The aim was the best financial package we could get, at the most famous track and field programme in the US.
Read Toby's storyJoseph wanted a Christian university. We matched him with a strong distance programme and a culture that suits him.
Read Joseph's storyWhy Australian athletes choose the US
- Study and compete at the same time, without choosing between uni and sport.
- Scholarships can cover tuition, accommodation, meals and books.
- Full-time coaching, elite facilities and weekly competition against the best young athletes in the world.
- A US degree and an international network that stays with you for life.
What US universities look at
US universities look at your last four years of high school, the same span as US grades 9 to 12. For Australian students, that is Year 9 to Year 12.
| US grade | Australian year | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 9 | Year 9 | School reports. Your grades in core subjects count from here. |
| Grade 10 | Year 10 | School reports. A Year 10 certificate on its own does not show you have finished school. |
| Grade 11 | Year 11 | School reports and the first units of your senior certificate. |
| Grade 12 | Year 12 | Your state certificate with its record of results: HSC (NSW), VCE (Victoria), QCE (Queensland), SACE (SA), WACE (WA), TCE (Tasmania), NTCE (NT) or the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate. |
Your ATAR on its own is not used for your US GPA. Universities use your subject results and school reports instead.
Step one: your GPA review
Every OSS journey starts with a GPA review. US universities judge academics on a grade point average (GPA) out of 4.0, so we convert your school grades into a US GPA and check it against each division's standard. You find out which levels you qualify for today, and what to improve before coaches look at you.
| Level | Academic standard for new student-athletes |
|---|---|
| NCAA Division I | 16 approved core courses (English, maths, science, social science and others) with a core-course GPA of at least 2.3 |
| NCAA Division II | 16 approved core courses with a core-course GPA of at least 2.2 |
| NCAA Division III | Each university sets its own admissions standard |
| NAIA | Graduate from high school; a GPA of about 2.0 is typically required |
| Junior college (NJCAA) | Graduate from high school (or the equivalent) |
SAT and ACT scores are no longer needed for NCAA Division I and II eligibility (since January 2023). Standards can change, so we check the current rules with every athlete.
For Australian athletes, that means your grades from Year 9 onwards matter, not just your final ATAR. A weaker year can often be balanced by strong senior results, which is why an early review helps.
School calendar vs the US calendar
The Australian school year runs from late January or early February to mid-December. US universities start in August, with some offering a January (spring) start.
| Australia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| School year | Late January to mid-December, in four terms | Late August to May, in two semesters |
| Final exams | Year 12 exams in October and November | – |
| Results | ATAR and certificates in mid-December | – |
| Your US start | – | August after Year 12 (most athletes), or January for a spring start |
Most Australians finish Year 12 in November and start in the US the following August. The months in between are for training, the Australian summer season and preparing for the move.
Your 18-month recruiting timeline
US recruiting runs on a cycle of about 18 months before you start university. Starting earlier is better: an early GPA review gives you time to fix weak subjects, and coaches build their lists well ahead of each intake.
Aiming for a January start? Start the same steps about six months earlier, in Year 11.
Where do your times stand?
US coaches recruit on performance. Our Standards Engine shows the times and marks US programmes look for in every track and field event, from NCAA Division I to the NAIA. Distance runners can also compare road and cross country results in our cross country scholarships guide.
How OSS gets you there
- Free assessment and GPA review: we review your results, calculate your US GPA and tell you honestly where you could compete.
- Strategy (4 to 6 weeks): we agree your goals, build your recruiting profile and choose the right level and universities.
- Discovery (8 to 12 weeks): we present you to the right coaches across our 312 university collaborators and manage the conversations.
- Execution and support (2 to 4 weeks): we help you compare offers and sign, then guide your eligibility, F-1 student visa and move to campus.
Frequently asked questions
Can Australian athletes get sports scholarships at US universities?
Yes. Olympic Sports Scholarships has helped 74 Australian athletes study and compete at US universities. Scholarships can cover tuition, accommodation, meals and books.
Which school years do US universities look at for Australian students?
US universities look at your last four years of high school, which for Australian students is Year 9 to Year 12. Your ATAR on its own is not used for your US GPA: universities use your subject results and school reports instead.
What GPA do I need for a US sports scholarship?
For NCAA Division I you need 16 approved core courses with a core-course GPA of at least 2.3, and for Division II at least 2.2. The NAIA typically looks for a GPA of about 2.0, while Division III universities and junior colleges set their own entry standards. We convert your grades into a US GPA during your free GPA review.
What times do I need for a US track scholarship?
Coaches recruit on performance. Our Standards Engine shows the times and marks US programmes look for in every track and field event, and you can set it to your school year. Distance runners can also use the cross country checker.
When should Australian athletes start the recruiting process?
Take your GPA review in Year 10 or 11 and start your strategy at the start of Year 12, about 18 months before an August start. For a January start, begin the same steps about six months earlier, in Year 11.
When would I start at a US university after Year 12?
Most Australians finish Year 12 in November and start in the US the following August. Some universities also offer a January (spring) start.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
No. SAT and ACT scores have not been needed for NCAA Division I and II eligibility since January 2023. Standards can change, so we check the current rules with every athlete.
Ready to take your sport to the US?
Start with a free assessment and GPA review, or read our free guide first.
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