Free tool · Recruiting timeline
US sports scholarship timeline planner
Tell us your country and school year and we'll build your month-by-month plan to a US university, from your first GPA check to the day you arrive.
The short answer
Start about two years before you want to be in the US. US recruiting runs about 18 months before you arrive: check your grades and times first, build a recruiting profile, talk to coaches, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, compare offers, then sign and sort your student visa.
Build your plan
It takes 20 seconds. You can add the key dates to your calendar.
The typical timeline
| Before you start | What happens |
|---|---|
| 24 months | Check your US GPA and compare your PBs with US standards |
| 18 to 20 months | Build your recruiting profile and start talking to coaches |
| 15 months | Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center |
| 9 to 12 months | Coach calls, visits, English test if needed, offers |
| 6 months | Sign your scholarship agreement and apply |
| 2 to 4 months | I-20, SEVIS fee, F-1 visa interview, final results |
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the US scholarship process?
About two years before you want to start. US recruiting runs about 18 months before you arrive, so UK athletes should take a GPA review in Year 11 or S4 and start their strategy in the spring of Year 12 or S5. Australians start at the beginning of Year 12 for an August start, and New Zealanders at the start of Year 13.
When can US coaches contact me?
NCAA Division I track and field and cross country coaches can start recruiting conversations from 15 June after the US equivalent of Year 11 (the end of a US student's sophomore year). Division II, NAIA and junior college coaches have fewer restrictions.
Is it too late to get a scholarship for this August?
Not always. Programmes fill rosters through spring and summer, and junior colleges and NAIA universities often recruit late. Talk to us as soon as possible and we will tell you what is realistic.
Can I start in January instead of August?
Yes. Many universities accept athletes for the spring semester in January, which suits Australian and New Zealand athletes who finish school in November or December.
What do I need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
An account, your school transcripts and certificates, certified English translations if needed, and proof of graduation. We guide every athlete through it.
More free tools: GPA calculator · NCAA eligibility age calculator · Cost calculator · Standards Engine.