top of page

Frequently Asked Questions 

 

We've tried our best to answer every question we think you might ask. If you can't find your answer here, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

GULF UNITED TEAM QUESTIONS

What does my payment to Gulf United cover?

The payment to Gulf covers:-

​

  • The scholarship opportunity

  • 2 Training sessions a week

  • 1 full season of matches

  • 2 full kits (1 home and 1 away)

  • Nutrition plan

  • All your league fees

  • All admin costs included

What it doesn’t cover:-

  • SATs/ ACTs/ IELTS where applicable

What league will the scholar team play in?

Gulf United Elite Scholar team will play in the men’s DAFL. College soccer is much more physical than the junior football played in Dubai. We see men’s football as the best way to prepare you for the gulf in physicality. Every decision we make is what’s best for you in achieving your college dream.

Does Gulf United offer places for postgraduates?

Yes, we do offer places on our team for postgraduates. Having a mix of undergraduates and postgraduates gives our team a combination of youth and experience. If you have graduated in the last few years and haven’t considered a postgraduate degree in USA, please get in touch.

How many training sessions and matches each week?

There will be two training sessions per week focusing on the physical, technical and tactical elements of the game. There will be one full season of matches, which is roughly one match a week.  

How do I know what year I will be going to college?

There is not a certain age, which you have to go to college. Which year you are eligible for college depends on a number of factors. GU will create an individual pathway with you to establish your eligibility by assessing the three main factors (football, academics and budget) and your current schooling situation

Do I need to make a highlight video for myself?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We will be filming every game to get extensive footage of you. Our team will then edit your highlights to send to colleges in the US.

PAYMENT QUESTIONS

How do I make a payment?

The three payment methods are (a) cash paid directly to the Gulf Team, (b) payment via the website or (c) bank transfer.

What happens if my payment is late?

We have two payment plans as to best suit your situation.

 

Failure to pay will make you ineligible to train. 

 

For the scholars, most importantly, we cannot continue your scholarship deal if payment is not up-to-date.

​

What is your refund policy?

​

In no circumstances do we offer any 'monetary' refunds. Where applicable, there may be chances to attend 'make up' sessions. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

​

There are no refunds for missed sessions for reasons such as school exams, family vacations, inability to arrive for practice, general sickness, weather, unforeseen circumstances etc.

ACADEMIC QUESTIONS

Does Gulf help me with SATs?

Gulf United will assess each player’s individual pathway and make you aware if it is beneficial for you to take the SATs test. You will have to book your SATs test independently of Gulf. We will be offering monthly support sessions where you can get expert advice from our team. 

How many times can I take the SATs test?

You can take the SATs test as many times as you want. It is recommended to take the test 3 times. You will not be penalized for taking the test multiple times and whatever is your best score is the score the colleges will look at.

What are the academic requirements for a scholarship?

To qualify for a college academic scholarship, you will need to meet certain requirements. While these specific requirements will vary with each school, the idea is the same. If you work hard and maintain a high GPA and do well on the SAT/ACT, then you could be rewarded with an academic scholarship. Per the NCAA you need a minimum 2.0 GPA and a 1010 on the SAT as well as a combined score of 86 on the ACT. 

What Is The Difference Between College and University?

Sometimes, the line between college and university can be a little blurry. Technically, a university is an institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and a college is a smaller institution that typically offers undergraduate degrees. Most of our players are looking for undergraduate degrees so for all intents and purposes college and university can be used interchangeably

SCHOLARSHIP QUESTIONS

Who covers the difference if a percentage scholarship is offered?

It would be the responsibility of the student-athlete and his/her family to cover the remaining costs to attend the university.

Scholarships are based on a sliding scale, so if you have a higher GPA then your test scores can be relatively low.

Will I receive a ‘full scholarship’?

Foreseeing the monetary value of the scholarship that could be offered is something that is almost impossible to predict. In addition to academic results, SAT test scores, timing, available budgets, and the coaches perspective of the individual’s playing ability – the college coach is the only one who could say to a prospective student athlete that they will receive ‘a full scholarship’. Gulf United cannot and do not guarantee the ultimate level of scholarship award made to our clients. The level of scholarship granted is fundamentally dependent on what the coach of the American college wants to offer.

What does a scholarship not cover?

Travel to and from America in addition to the cost of the social aspect of living in America will be funded by the student-athlete and not the university. At some schools you will also be expected to pay for health insurance to cover you both while playing your sport and while not competing.

Do I get a refund if Gulf United fails to provide me with the scholarship offer to the college I want?

Gulf United’s role is to pre-qualify your chances of receiving a sports scholarship, then guide you through the entirety of the recruitment process with suitable American colleges and universities. The company is not permitted to charge a fee for its services based on placing clients at American colleges with suitable sports scholarships. As a result, a refund would not be provided in cases where scholarships offered to clients were deemed ‘unsuitable’ by the client. NCAA rules state, “A prospective student-athlete may allow a scouting service or agent to distribute personal information to member institutions without jeopardizing his or her eligibility, provided the fee paid to such an agent is not based on placing the prospective student-athlete in a collegiate institution as a recipient of institutional financial aid.” (see NCAA rule 12.3.3.1 ‘Talent Evaluation Services & Agents’).

Why can’t Gulf United guarantee me a scholarship offer?

NCAA rules prohibit any company or individual from guaranteeing your successful placement at an American college or university with an athletic scholarship. NCAA rules state: “A prospective student-athlete may allow a scouting service or agent to distribute personal information to member institutions without jeopardizing his or her eligibility, provided the fee paid to such an agent is not based on placing the prospective student-athlete in a collegiate institution as a recipient of institutional financial aid.” (see NCAA rule 12.3.3.1 ‘Talent Evaluation Services & Agents’).

Can you go on to play Major League Soccer after graduating?

As with any professional sport, you have to be one of the best in the world to compete at the highest level. There is a possibility of turning pro but you will have to be the best of the best.

bottom of page