Guides
Free guides to the path toward an athletic scholarship in the US — written from official sources and reviewed by the Sportis team.
NCAA, NAIA or junior college: a map of US college divisions for athletes from Brazil
D1, D2, D3, NAIA, junior college: what each one means, who really offers athletic scholarships, and why most Brazilian athletes are not where you might expect.
divisionsHeart of America Athletic Conference: the NAIA hub for Brazilian athletes
The NAIA's Heart of America Athletic Conference shows up as the conference with the highest concentration of Brazilian volleyball players in the Sportis database. Learn what it is, where it is and why it matters if you are looking for a scholarship in the US.
scholarshipsPartial athletic scholarship + academic scholarship: how to combine them to cover more of the cost
Aiming only for a D1 full ride is a mirage. The realistic strategy for athletes coming from Brazil is to stack a partial athletic scholarship, an academic scholarship and institutional aid — and that often covers as much of the cost, or more.
calendarUS vs. Brazil school calendar: why athletes from Brazil usually enroll a year later
The US academic year starts in the fall (August/September). Since Brazilian high school ends in December, the natural start is usually the fall of the following year — learn about this gap and what to do with it.
eligibilityNCAA Eligibility Center: a step-by-step guide for athletes from Brazil
If you want to compete in NCAA Division I or II, you have to go through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Learn what it is, how to register and which documents athletes from Brazil need to send.
testsTOEFL or Duolingo English Test: which to take and when to book it
A practical comparison of the TOEFL iBT and the Duolingo English Test for athletes seeking a scholarship in the US: format, cost, timelines and the best time to book with room to spare.
visasF-1 visa: deadlines, costs and the consular interview for student-athletes
How the F-1 student visa works from start to finish — from the Form I-20 to the consulate interview — with the official costs and timelines, for anyone heading to the US on an athletic scholarship.
recruitingHow to write your first email to a college coach (with a template)
A practical guide to your first contact with a US college coach: what to include, what to avoid, and two ready-made templates (a structure reference and the English email) for you to adapt.
NLINLI (National Letter of Intent): what it is, when you sign and what has changed
For decades, the National Letter of Intent was the document that sealed the commitment between an athlete and an NCAA college. Learn what it is, what you commit to when you sign, and why the NAIA and NJCAA follow their own rules.
familiesFor parents and guardians: what to expect in the months before departure
A supportive guide for parents and legal guardians in the final months before a teenage athlete leaves for the US: the family's role, a practical checklist, the emotional side and how to stay involved from afar.