Elite Women's Volleyball Gap Year in Seville, Spain

What Does the NCAA Says:

Division I Volleyball

• You must enroll in college within 12 months of your high school graduation.

• If you compete in organized volleyball events (e.g., league matches with a club) after that 12-month period, you’ll lose 1 season of NCAA eligibility for each year of competition

• You must not receive payment (only basic expense reimbursements are allowed)

Example:

• Graduate high school in June 2025

• Take a gap year and enroll in college by fall 2026 → ✅ Full eligibility

• Delay enrollment to 2027 and play in organized competition → ❌ You lose 1 season of NCAA eligibility

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Division II Volleyball

• You can compete in organized volleyball during your gap year and still retain all 4 seasons of eligibility, as long as you maintain amateur status

Division III Volleyball

• DIII does not impose a 1-year enrollment rule — only amateurism matters. You can compete in organized sports post-graduation and still be eligible.

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Important Rules to Follow

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What You Should Do

1. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center: www.eligibilitycenter.org

2. Keep records: Track matches, dates, benefits received (expenses only), and who paid

3. Avoid compensation or anything resembling pro-level support

4. Enroll in a U.S. college within 12 months of graduation if you’re targeting Division I

5. Contact college compliance officers to confirm your eligibility plan

Where will I compete and practice, and at what level?
SAIIE has reach an agreement  with the local women volleyball Spanish team Mairena Voley Club.

When do the training sessions take place?
Trainings will be held in the evenings and usually go for 2 hours.

How many training sessions take place each week?
Teams train 3 days a week. Our students will have the choice of only training twice a week if they have a weekend trip schedule.

Are the trainings held in Spanish?
Yes. You will be training with Spaniards, on a Spanish team, with Spanish coaches. This is an important aspect of the cultural immersion part of the program, as you will be surrounded by native Spanish speakers in a Spanish speaking environment which gives you a great opportunity to practice the language. However, on the team there's always some teammates that can speak some English, if its the case you don't understand an instruction from the coach.

How many American players will there be on a team?
No more than a maximum of 3 players are generally allowed per team

What age are the players on the team?
The senior team players age is between 18 and 23 years old (approx.).
GAP STUDENTS will practice with the "juveniles" team (players between 16-18 years old) or women's junior team where all the players range between 18-20 years old. Coaches will decide.
There's a B team for advance level players. When student-athletes arrive they will be placed according to their levels.

How far are the training grounds?
All training facilities are no further than a 30 min. metro ride or 40 min. bus ride.

How much money will I need for transportation to and from trainings throughout the semester?
Approximately $60.

Will I get to play matches?
You will join the team and you will be eligible to play throughout your study abroad experience on the team. Team plays almost every weekend. Coach will decide if you play or not.

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Fall Program Dates: Mid Sept - Mid Dec., 2026
Spring Program Dates: Beg. Jan. - Mid. May, 2027 

Program Cost: 11,995€ (Semester) / 23,495€ (Academic year)

Program costs includes:

• SAIIE full-time fees and support services before, during, and after the program.
• Airport reception and transfer to Spanish home on arrival date
• On site orientation.
• On site bilingual staff on call 24/7 throughout the term.
• Accommodation in a Spanish home with most meals (breakfast and mid-day meals Monday through Friday and evening meals Sunday through Thursday) and one load of laundry per week throughout the program. 
• Program excursions and activities (Weekend excursion, as well as, Cordoba, Ronda, and Italica day excursion).
• Welcome and Farewell meals.
• Spanish Language program fees that includes classes from Mo-Thur (16hrs per week) or University of Seville program fees.
• Athletic program fees.
• SAIIE Transcript at the end of the course certifying the Spanish language course taken.
  University of Seville will issue an official certification with the courses taken if participating in their program.

Fall /Spring Out-of-Pocket Costs Include:

• U.S. Passport ($135).
• Mandatory CISI health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Spanish Visa for U.S. citizens (estimated at $160).
• Return airfare from the USA to Spain (estimated at $1,200 - $1600).
• Meals not included with accommodation (estimated at 600€ per sesmester).
• Mandatory International Student Identification Card (ISIC) ($25).
• Transportation to practice (estimated at 100€ per semester).
• Personal Expenses (estimated at 1000€ per semester)
• Trips not included (estimated at 700€ per semester) / An optional weekend trip to Morocco will be offered, as well as, a weekend trip to Portugal. 
• Optional cocurricular activities (estimated at 500€ per semester).
• Any costs due to possible quarantine requirements due to COVID-19

 

APPLICATION DEADLINES 

TERM ABROAD	APPLICATION CYCLE OPENS	APPLICATION DEADLINE
Spring 2026	April 1	October 1
Academic year 2026/27	September 15	April 1
Fall 2026	September 15	April 1

 

Missed the deadline? Please contact Sean Chipres, Program Manager,  to enquire about late application options.