TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida is investing in the well-being of its student-athletes through a new one-year partnership with Scout, a financial technology company committed to athlete empowerment and education — with a distinctive focus on supporting international athletes.
International student-athletes face a uniquely complex path: U.S. tax obligations, tax-treaty considerations, banking access, and financial questions that rarely come with a clear roadmap. Through this collaboration, USF will offer its athletes Scout’s one-on-one support and personalized financial literacy training, alongside a secure mobile app to help them manage taxes, savings, and long-term planning, all designed to meet the specific needs of athletes building a life far from home.
Recent studies show nearly 25,000 international student-athletes compete in NCAA sports today. They make up roughly 13% of all Division I athletes. In some sports it’s not close: more than 60% of Division I tennis players, men’s and women’s, come from outside the U.S. (NCAA research).
But the partnership goes beyond product delivery. It reflects a shared commitment to making sure every athlete, regardless of where they come from, has the guidance to succeed.
“Every athlete’s journey is different, and international athletes carry challenges that too often go unaddressed,” said Michael Haddix, CEO and Founder of Scout. “We’re proud to partner with USF to meet those athletes where they are with education, support, and tools built for their reality. This is what athlete empowerment should look like.”
What USF Athletes Get with Scout International Tax Services:
– Nonresident tax advising: Clear, personal guidance on nonresident tax status and the tax-treaty benefits that vary by an athlete’s home country, so they never overpay or misfile.
– Tax ID assistance: Hands-on help obtaining the U.S. tax identification international athletes need before they can be paid or file.
– Return preparation & filing: Scout prepares and files the nonresident returns and required forms on athletes’ behalf, not a how-to guide, the actual work, done for them.
– NIL tax guidance for non-citizens: Advising on how NIL income is taxed for non-U.S. citizens, including withholding and reporting obligations unique to their status.
All backed by one-on-one support, financial literacy training, and a secure mobile app for managing taxes, savings, and long-term planning, year-round.
Looking to provide full international support for your program? Book a call today to learn about Scout Passport?
About Scout
Scout is an innovative financial technology company built specifically for athletes. Combining education, one-on-one support, and a mobile app, Scout helps student-athletes navigate taxes, savings, LLC formation, and investment planning. Its customizable revenue distribution platform serves athletic departments, coaches, and athletes in today’s evolving college sports environment. Scout looks at NIL differently — for us it means Name, Image… Lifetime.
