Two applications get you here: your rugby recruiting profile to us, and your university application to LIFE. This page walks you through both — every link, every document, every deadline — with athletic and academic scholarship support along the way.
LIFE University runs rolling admissions on a quarter system — you can start in Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer, and there's no single make-or-break deadline. Follow the steps in order and you'll arrive with your rugby place, your admission and your funding all sorted together.
Before anything else, get on our recruiting board. Our online profile takes ~10 minutes: position, playing history, key stats, academics, and your highlight film. Every submission lands directly in our recruitment system and is reviewed by the coaching staff.
Once your profile is in, email the Director with anything your profile doesn't show — leadership roles, tournament schedule, questions about the program. We hold Assessment Days in Marietta each year; international players can arrange a virtual assessment instead.
Apply online at apply.life.edu ($50 non-refundable fee). You'll get an applicant portal login to upload documents and track your status. Requirements are athlete-friendly: 2.0+ cumulative GPA and SAT/ACT are optional — if you don't submit scores, you'll just take a short placement test before classes start.
Browse degrees first: Program Finder → (Exercise Science, Business, Nutrition, Biology, pre-Chiropractic and more)
Upload through your applicant portal: official high school transcript (or GED), plus college transcripts from any institution attended. If you have 36+ quarter hours (24 semester hours) of college credit, you'll be evaluated as a transfer — see the Transfer Resource Hub. International documents have extra steps — see the international section below.
Three streams stack together: rugby program support (talk to us), LIFE scholarships via the Scholarship Portal, and federal aid via the FAFSA using LIFE's school code 014170. Full details in the sections below.
Your admission decision and financial aid offer arrive through the portal and EagleNet. Accept your awards, register for your first quarter, and (for internationals) complete the I-20/visa process. Better yet — come see it first: book a campus visit →
Next start dates: Fall Quarter — apply by October 2, 2026, classes start October 5, 2026. Winter Quarter — apply by January 5, 2027, classes start January 11, 2027. Admissions are rolling, so earlier is always better — especially for scholarship consideration and (for internationals) visa timelines.
Financial support at LIFE stacks from three directions — rugby, academics, and federal aid. Most of our players combine more than one.
As one of the premier women's rugby programs in the U.S., LIFE offers athletic scholarship support across both the D1 College Team and Premier Club Team. Awards are made by the coaching staff based on your recruiting profile, film and assessment — which is why Step 1 matters.
Players like our alumna Alex "Spiff" Sedrick (Olympic gold, Paris 2024) built their careers from exactly this pathway.
Apply through the LIFE Scholarship Portal (a 3.0+ GPA is preferred). Current undergraduate awards include the Life Memorial Scholarship (50% tuition for four quarters), the LIFE International Scholarship (50% tuition for four quarters), the John Robert Lewis Scholarship ($10,000 over three years), RISE Scholarships ($2,250) and more.
Full list: undergraduate scholarships →
A strong academic record does double duty: a 3.2+ GPA keeps you fully eligible for team competition, and pushes you into merit-scholarship territory. Estimated living costs are on LIFE's Cost of Attendance page (on-campus housing ≈ $6,045/year).
A big part of our squad came to Marietta from overseas — the process is well-trodden and we'll walk it with you. On top of the six steps above, international players need:
One of: Duolingo English Test 85+ (take it online), or TOEFL 61+ internet-based (LIFE's TOEFL code: 5358). Exempt if you already have 24+ U.S. college credits including English Composition, or a four-year U.S. degree.
High school / university transcripts from outside the U.S. must be evaluated by any NACES member service (e.g. WES, SpanTran) and sent to LIFE with the official report. Start this early — evaluations take weeks.
Evidence of funds for one year of study and living: a bank statement or letter (less than six months old), a copy of your passport, plus a sponsor affidavit and/or scholarship award letter if applicable.
After admission, submit the I-20 request form, receive your Form I-20 from LIFE, pay the $350 SEVIS fee (fmjfee.com), then book your F-1 visa interview. We time this against quarter start dates with you.
International admissions is a named human, not an inbox: counselor Nigar Gafarzada handles our region files. Documents go to internationaldocuments@life.edu.
If you're a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) unlocks federal grants, loans and work-study that stack on top of your scholarships. Most LIFE students use financial aid for part of their education — and LIFE's Financial Aid Office genuinely answers email fast.
For undergraduates with financial need — up to $7,395 for the 2026–27 aid year (minimum award $740), and it never needs repaying. Enrolled at least half-time over summer? Pell can cover summer quarters too, which suits year-round training.
Subsidized loans for undergrads with need (no interest while enrolled) and unsubsidized loans for everyone. Annual limits run $5,500–$12,500 for undergraduates depending on year and dependency status.
Part-time on-campus jobs awarded by financial need — flexible positions designed to fit around training, matches and class.
Filing the FAFSA also puts you in line for Georgia state aid programs and LIFE's own institutional grants.
The best (and fastest) way to reach Financial Aid is email — ASKFA@life.edu. They typically respond the same day, within 24 business hours.
LIFE University is more than a place to play rugby — it's a place to grow, achieve, and inspire. Start with your recruiting profile today; we'll help with everything after that.
