US Sports Scholarships for Australian Athletes
Olympic Sports Scholarships has helped 70+ Australian athletes study and compete at US universities on sports scholarships. We guide you from your first assessment to your first day on campus.
Why 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.
How the Australian school year fits the US system
The Australian school year runs from late January to December, while US universities start in August. Most Australian athletes finish Year 12 in November and start in the US the following August, using the months in between to train, travel and prepare. Some universities also offer a January (spring semester) start. Recruiting usually begins in Year 11, so coaches can see your results before offers are made.
Your grades and eligibility
NCAA eligibility and US admissions are based on your subject results from your final years of school, reported through your state certificate (such as the HSC, VCE, QCE, SACE or WACE) and school reports. That makes your grades from Year 10 onwards count, not just your final ATAR. We check your eligibility as part of every free assessment.
Recruiting timeline for Australian athletes
| Year 10 | Focus on your grades in core subjects. Start recording results, times and footage. |
| Year 11 | Take the free assessment, build your athlete profile, start contacting coaches and register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. |
| Year 12 | Calls and visits with coaches, compare offers and sign. Finish your final exams and send your results. |
| After Year 12 | Apply for your F-1 student visa, keep training and prepare to arrive on campus in August (or January for a spring start). |
How OSS helps
- Free assessment: we review your athletic results and academic profile and tell you honestly where you could compete.
- Profile and coach outreach: we build your recruiting profile and present you to the right coaches across our 312 university collaborators.
- Offers, visa and the move: we help you compare offers, handle eligibility and your F-1 student visa, and prepare for life on campus.
Ready to take your sport to the US?
Find out where you could compete, or start with our free guide.
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