Football Scholarships
Players are nominated to Winning Students for a women's football scholarship by the Scottish FA National Head Coach Anna Signeul.
To be considered for selection, footballers must:
- Be part of the Scottish FA National Performance Centre at Heriot-Watt University, or;
- Have represented Scotland at Senior, U19, or U17 level, or;
- Have been identified by the Scottish FA as a player with the potential to represent Scotland in a future major championship.
The number of places is determined by the size of the award available to the sport and, should the applications outweigh the scholarships available, places will be awarded in order of squad level.
The Nomination Process and Selection Timeline
The National Performance Centre programme begins each year in mid-July. As such, the Scottish FA selection process occurs earlier in the calendar year than other sports. Winning Students will ultimately inform the agreed nominees of their selection in September or October time each year. The Scottish FA's nomination process for students starting academic programmes in colleges and universities, including postgraduates are approximately as follows:
November: The Scottish FA invite potential players and their parents or guardians to a meeting where the National Performance Centre programme and related opportunities are outlined.
January: Potential players are required to inform the Scottish FA of their chosen college and/or UCAS applications
February: Scottish FA approach selected potential players, asking player to confirm their academic intentions by early May
May: Scottish FA finalise nominees and National Performance Centre budget to Winning Students
Mid-July: Players start in the National Performance Centre programme
September/October: Players receiving e-mail confirmation of nomination for Winning Students after college or university matriculation
For further details of the nomination and selection process, or to confirm your eligibility, please contact Anna Signeul.
