A Guide for Families
For Parents
Sending your child to university in the USA is a big decision. It raises big questions. This page is written for you — so you can understand every part of the process, weigh up the opportunity clearly, and feel fully confident before your family takes the next step.
Most of the parents we speak with share the same concerns: Is my child safe? Can they handle the academics? What does it actually cost? What if something goes wrong? These are exactly the right questions to ask — and we have spent over a decade developing answers that are honest, detailed, and backed by the experience of 300+ families who have been through this journey with us.
"Your Child Will Never
Be Just Another Recruit"
We have made a conscious decision to limit the number of student-athletes and families we represent.
Why?
Because we believe responsible recruitment requires time.
We want to know your son or daughter. We want to understand their football ability, academic profile, personality, ambitions and your family's circumstances before we recommend where they should spend some of the most important years of their life.
Our model is therefore deliberately personal.
We would rather work with fewer families and give each one our full attention than operate a high-volume recruitment model where your child risks becoming another profile in a database.
From assessment through to placement and beyond, you will know who is representing your child and why particular opportunities are being recommended.
What Matters to You
The Four Things Every Parent Wants to Know
We address each one directly below.
01
Safety & Wellbeing
US universities invest heavily in student welfare. Every campus has a dedicated Student Services team, counselling and mental health support, and 24-hour security. Your child will be part of a close-knit soccer team with coaches and support staff who take a genuine interest in their development as a person, not just a player.
- Dedicated team athletic trainer on campus
- Student health insurance included in most scholarship packages
- Coaching staff act as mentors and points of contact
- i-5 advisors remain contactable throughout the first year
- Regular check-ins included in our Elite programme
02
Academic Standards
Student-athletes at US universities are expected to maintain a minimum GPA to keep their scholarship. This means academics are taken seriously from day one. Your child will have access to tutoring centres, academic advisors, and study halls — resources specifically designed to help athletes balance training and coursework.
- Minimum GPA requirements maintained throughout the programme
- Free tutoring and academic support provided on campus
- Wide range of degree programmes including business, sports science, and engineering
- A US degree is globally recognised and highly respected by employers
- We advise on degree choice as part of the matching process
03
Costs & What Scholarships Cover
The value of a US athletic scholarship is significant. At Division I level, a full scholarship can be worth between $25,000 and $60,000 per year, covering tuition, accommodation, meals, and course materials. Division II and III programmes offer partial awards often combined with academic merit aid. We walk you through the full financial picture for every offer your child receives before any commitment is made.
- Full scholarships can cover tuition, accommodation, meals, and books
- Partial scholarships are commonly combined with merit-based academic aid
- We provide a detailed cost comparison for every offer received
- Remaining personal expenses (flights, clothing, spending money) are outlined clearly
- No commitment is expected until you are fully satisfied with the financial terms
04
Who Is Looking After My Child?
Our team includes former professional footballers, certified scholarship advisors, and experienced recruitment specialists — many of whom have been through the student-athlete journey themselves. You will be assigned a named advisor who is your family's point of contact from the first call to arrival on campus. We welcome parents to be involved at every stage of the process.
- Named advisor assigned to your family from day one
- Parents are copied into key communications at your request
- Free parent consultation call included in all packages
- All universities in our network are vetted and accredited institutions
- Offer terms and service agreements explained in plain language
We Assess Before We Recommend...
Football recruitment requires more than creating a video and sending it to universities.
Our professional football, coaching and Talent ID experience allows us to make an informed assessment of your child's current ability and potential. We combine that with their academic profile, personal ambitions and your family's requirements.
Sometimes that means recommending a different level or route from the one originally expected.
We will have those conversations honestly.
Our responsibility is not to sell your family the biggest scholarship story. It is to help identify an opportunity where your child has a realistic chance of succeeding academically, athletically and personally.
Our Promise to You
What We Commit to Every Family
These are the standards we hold ourselves to on every single placement — without exception.
●
Honest
Assessments
We will only recommend the process if we genuinely believe your child has a realistic pathway. We do not take on cases we cannot place, and we will always tell you clearly what level of programme is achievable.
●
Full Financial Transparency
Every offer comes with a full cost breakdown. We separate what the scholarship covers from what it does not, so your family can plan accurately without any unpleasant surprises after arrival.
●
Vetted Universities Only
Every university in our network is a fully accredited US institution. We have visited programmes, built direct relationships with coaching staff, and confirmed the academic and welfare standards before placing any player.
●
Parents Welcome at Every Stage
You are not on the outside of this process. We offer a dedicated parent consultation call, include you in key communications, and answer every question — however small — with the same level of care we give your child.
●
No Commitment Under Pressure
We never pressure families into decisions. When an offer arrives, we give you the time and information needed to evaluate it properly. Our job is to inform and advise — the final decision always belongs to you.
●
Support After Arrival
Our responsibility does not end when your child boards the plane. We maintain contact during the first year on campus and are available if challenges arise with settling in, academic performance, or team dynamics.
"No Cold Calling. No Guesswork. Direct Conversations".
When we represent your child, we don't simply upload their information to a database and wait.
We work directly with the coaches, recruiters and university staff responsible for making decisions.
Our relationships allow us to speak directly to the relevant people, understand what their programmes are looking for and determine whether your child genuinely fits their requirements.
If there is interest, we progress the conversation.
If the level, academics or circumstances are not right, we don't waste your family's time pursuing an unsuitable opportunity.
That direct approach gives families something we believe is essential throughout this process.
Financial Planning
Understanding the Real Cost
A scholarship dramatically reduces the cost of a US university education. Here is a realistic guide to the categories of cost, so your family can plan with confidence.
Covered
By the Scholarship
Tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, meal plan, and course textbooks are typically included in full athletic scholarships. The total value can reach $60,000 per year at top Division I programmes.
Variable
Depends on the Offer
Division II and III packages may cover part of tuition and accommodation. Academic merit aid from the university can be stacked on top. We calculate the total combined value for every offer we present.
Extra
Family Contribution
Flights (typically 1-2 per year), personal spending money, phone plan, and clothing are the main out-of-pocket costs families budget for. Many students also earn through campus employment programmes.
One-Off
Setup Costs
NCAA registration (~$100), SEVIS visa fee (~$350), and any SAT preparation costs are one-time expenses paid directly to the relevant organisations. We outline all of these at the assessment stage so nothing comes as a surprise.
From Other Parents
What Parents Say
"As a parent, my biggest worry was whether my son would be safe and supported so far from home. The i-5 team answered every single question I had — sometimes before I even thought to ask it. He has been on campus for eight months now and is thriving. I genuinely could not have done this without their guidance."
Sarah J.
Mother of Marcus — D1 Texas, 2023
"We were sceptical about the whole thing initially and had a lot of concerns about the cost and whether it was legitimate. The team at i-5 were completely transparent, sent us all the documents we asked for, and walked us through the offer line by line. Our daughter is now in her second year on a partial scholarship and loving every minute."
David & Claire M.
Parents of Amara — D2 Florida, 2024
Parent Questions
Questions Parents Ask Most
What happens if my child is injured and loses their scholarship?
US universities have a duty of care to their student-athletes. In most cases, if a player sustains a genuine injury, the scholarship is protected for the duration of recovery — the university cannot simply withdraw it. Full athletic scholarships also include health insurance that covers treatment costs. We advise you to check the specific injury and medical clauses within each offer letter before signing, and we help you interpret this language as part of our service.
Can my child come home during the holidays?
Yes. The US academic calendar has two main holiday periods: winter break (typically 3-4 weeks in December and January) and summer break (May to August). Most players return home during winter break. The soccer season primarily runs through autumn, so the summer period offers a longer window at home. Some players choose to stay on campus for pre-season training in summer — your child's coach will communicate the team schedule well in advance.
How do I stay in contact with my child while they are in the USA?
Most students use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or standard video calling — the time difference between the UK and most US locations is between 5 and 8 hours depending on the state. Campus Wi-Fi is standard, and US SIM cards are affordable. Parents in our programme tell us they typically speak with their children several times per week. The distance becomes manageable very quickly once your child is settled into campus life.
What if my child is unhappy at the university they choose?
The transfer portal in US college soccer is well-established. If a player is genuinely unhappy — whether due to the coach, the programme, the location, or the academic environment — they have the right to enter the transfer portal and seek a place at another institution. We advise families on this option and can assist if a transfer becomes necessary. The best prevention is a thorough matching process from the start, which is why we spend considerable time understanding your child's personality and preferences before shortlisting universities.
Is the F-1 student visa difficult to obtain?
The F-1 student visa is the standard visa for international students studying at US universities and is well-documented and widely issued. The main requirements are proof of university enrolment (the DS-2019 or I-20 form provided by the university), proof of financial support, a valid passport, and an interview at your local US Embassy or Consulate. The process is straightforward when properly prepared. Our Elite package includes full guidance through every step, and even in our other packages we advise on what is required.
What about language — does my child need a certain level of English?
Yes. All tuition at US universities is in English, and most institutions require international students to demonstrate language proficiency, typically through the TOEFL or IELTS test. The required score varies by university. For players from English-speaking countries this is rarely an issue. For players whose first language is not English, we assess language ability early and advise on preparation well in advance of any application deadlines.
How do I know i-5 Football Academy is trustworthy?
We have placed over 300 athletes at US universities over more than a decade of operation. Our team includes former professional players and certified advisors with direct experience of the US college system. We are happy to provide references from past families, connect you with current students at US universities who went through our programme, and answer any due diligence questions you have before you commit to anything. We believe trust is earned through transparency, and we operate accordingly.
We Are Here for Your Family
Still Have Questions? Let's Talk.
Book a free consultation call with one of our advisors. You can ask anything — no jargon, no pressure, no obligation. We are happy to speak with parents before your child is even involved in the process.
