A scholarship agreement is the first contract an academy player can sign. It may be offered from 1 July between U13 and U14, with 28 days to reply, and can start no earlier than the last Friday in June in the academic year in which he turns 16.
What the agreement is and when a club may enter into one
A club may enter into a scholarship agreement only if it holds the player’s registration or no other club holds it, and the player is under the age of 18.
The agreement is registered with the Football Association on its own form. A player who signs one is entitled to the remuneration determined from time to time by the board and is required to complete his education programme.
The timetable for a scholarship offer
Here is the core timetable for offering and starting a scholarship agreement.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| A club may offer | From 1 July between the U13 and U14 year |
| The latest an offer may be made | 31 December in the U16 year |
| The player must answer | Within 28 days |
| The agreement may start | No earlier than the last Friday in June of the year he turns 16 |
| How long it may run at first | No more than two years |
How the offer is made and how the reply works
An offer has to be made on the league’s form. Once the club makes that offer, it must send the board a copy within five days.
The player’s answer also has to be given on the league’s reply form. After receiving the reply, the club must send the board a copy within five days.
If the player does not answer within 28 days, he is treated as having declined the offer. If he does not accept, he is free after the first Saturday in June following his U16 year to seek registration at any other club.
A club that fails, without reasonable cause, to honour an offer already notified to the league may face disciplinary action.
A separate rule for category 4 academies
A club operating a category 4 academy has a narrower route. It may offer a scholarship agreement only to someone who is not already an academy player, or to a U16 player who is looking for a place elsewhere because no offer was made by 31 December in his U16 year.
That kind of club may make the offer only from 1 January in the player’s U16 year. It cannot use the earlier starting point that applies more widely.
FAQ
When can a Premier League academy offer a scholarship?
In the standard route, the window opens on 1 July between the player’s U13 and U14 year. The latest point for making the offer is 31 December in his U16 year.
How long does a player have to accept a scholarship offer?
The player has 28 days to answer, using the league’s reply form. No reply in that period counts as a rejection rather than an open decision.
How long does an academy scholarship last?
The initial term may be no more than two years. That limit applies to the agreement when it is first entered into and registered.
Can a club offer a scholarship to a player at another academy?
A club may enter into the agreement only if it already holds the player’s registration or no other club holds it. A club may also offer one to a U16 player seeking another place after no offer was made by 31 December in his U16 year.