Do Colleges Give Scholarships For Chess? A Complete Guide for 2023

They say when you’re good at something, never do it for free. In chess, you can be doing it for free, but you may think of the benefit in another way, say academically.

If footballers and baseball gurus can secure a scholarship in colleges, why can’t chess players? So, do colleges give scholarships for chess?

Colleges give scholarships to students that love chess and have experience playing in tournament settings. They frequently have some STEM connections, like engineering, and the amount of the scholarship varies from school to school. There are more academic considerations to take into account.

Keep reading to learn more about colleges that offer chess scholarships and which of them has the best chess program.

Do Colleges Give Scholarships For Chess?

Chess scholarships are widely available from colleges and universities, as several institutions acknowledge the skills and commitment necessary to succeed in chess and regard it as a competitive sport.

These fellowships are frequently given to gifted chess players who have excelled in competitions and meet certain criteria (such as having a certain chess title or rating).

Chess scholarships may have different requirements. While some colleges have teams or programs specifically devoted to chess, others provide financial aid through their normal academic or sports scholarship programs. 

You can learn more about whether chess players go to college here.

Colleges That Offer Chess Scholarships in 2023

If you’re looking for universities and colleges that can secure you a position because you rock at chess, here is a list:

University of Connecticut

The top three high school players in the annual K–12 Connecticut State Chess Association tournament get 3 recurring 4-year scholarships from the University of Connecticut School of Engineering worth a total of $14,000 in $2000, $1000, and $500 awards. 

A 3.4 GPA must be maintained while matriculating, and recipients must be able to meet the entry requirements for the School of Engineering.

Tennessee Technological University

A four-year scholarship is given out in conjunction with the Tennessee State Scholastic Chess Championship Tournaments.

The student must maintain continuous full-time enrollment and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 by the end of their third semester at Tech to renew the scholarship for an additional three semesters.

The winner of the annual Tennessee State Scholastic Individual Finals Chess Tournaments high school division will receive a four-year university admissions scholarship worth $4,000 each year, or $16,000 in total.

A four-year university admissions scholarship of $10,000 is awarded to the high school player who placed second in the annual Tennessee State Scholastic Individual Finals Chess Competition. The scholarship is worth $2,500 per year.

The winning team will grant four players a four-year university admissions scholarship worth $2,500 each year, for a total of $10,000, to the second-place high school team in the annual Tennessee State Scholastic Team Finals Chess Competition.

Check their website for more information on how to apply, eligibility, and requirements.

The University of Maryland Chess Scholarship

The University of Maryland offers several different types of scholarships and financial awards to students:

1. UMBC Coca-Cola Undergraduate and Graduate Chess Fellowships
2. Chess Player Scholars
3. Tournament-based awards (4-year, fixed tuition award):
4. US Cadet Champion
5. Maryland Sweet 16 Champion

Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are provided by the university. Players and applicants must meet the criteria set forth by the U.S. Chess Federation for eligibility in collegiate chess (USCF). The UMBC Chess Program provides more information. Undergraduates should be under 26 by September 1st, especially titled players.

Graduate students must be younger than 30 before the 1st of September. All scholarship recipients are also required by UMBC to enroll full-time and maintain a 3.0 GPA (on a 4-point scale). Applications from international students are welcomed.

You can apply directly online to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation on their website. Please remember to include a chess reference in your essay. 

Also, candidates for the position of Chess Fellow must send Dr. Sherman, the UMBC Chess Program Director, a brief essay outlining their motivations for applying to UMBC, their career goals after graduation, and their strategies for juggling chess and coursework while they are there.

Webster University

College chess is the crucial element of Webster University’s Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE), combining these essential elements with talent. 

Chess grandmaster Susan Polgar is Hungarian-American. From 1996 through 1999, Polgár was the women’s world chess champion. She is extremely passionate about chess and works to inspire people to achieve more in life. Since 2003, the Susan Polgar Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in grants and scholarships.

You can apply for financial aid and learn all about the rules here.

The University of Texas, Dallas

It’s a wise decision for chess players who are considering enrolling at the University of Texas at Dallas to submit an application for a prestigious chess scholarship.

By providing money for college, these awards support the awardees and aid in team recruiting. Checkmate! It might range from $1000 per year to complete tuition and a stipend in cash.

Texas Tech University

This scholarship is highly competitive. In order to be eligible for in-state tuition if you are accepted, you must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better at Texas Tech University and be available to fulfill the program’s volunteer obligations. You can apply here.

For out-of-state and international students, TTU’s chess scholarships now have an estimated annual value of $9,000 (tuition waivers). The chess scholarships are given out based on both chess ratings and academic credentials.

Florida Atlantic University

The Florida Chess Association South Regional Championship winner receives a $500 annual scholarship to Florida Atlantic! This is limited to students of South Florida. The fact that it’s limited to only South Florida students just makes it even sweeter – because who wouldn’t want to be stuck in one small region for the rest of their college career?

The FAU Scholarship Application for the academic year 2023–2024 is open from January 23, 11:30 AM to August 4, 2023. Students may identify and apply for scholarships more easily with the help of Scholarship Universe, a scholarship-matching service. Give it a go!

Harvard chess scholarship

Harvard is a part of the Ivy League, which has specific rules when it comes to scholarships. You must be accepted to the college and submit a financial aid application in order to be eligible for financial help at an Ivy League institution.

While Harvard doesn’t have a specific scholarship for chess players, there is some good news! It has one of the best chess clubs in the states, where you can play and join and then eventually get a place in one of the Harvard schools.

Stanford chess scholarship

There are no special chess scholarships available at Stanford University. Yet Stanford University, which is renowned for its top-notch academic programs, also provides a number of merit- and need-based scholarships to help students who excel in a variety of areas, such as academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

Talented chess players may qualify for academic or other merit-based scholarships at Stanford based on their total qualifications and achievements, including their chess successes.

The precise scholarships and qualifying requirements can vary over time, so it is best to check Stanford’s official website or get in touch with the school’s admissions or financial aid office directly for the most recent details on chess player scholarships.

Ivy League Chess Scholarships

The Ivy League is a group of eight prestigious private colleges and universities in the United States, known for their academic excellence and competitive sports programs. These schools are:

• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Princeton University
• Yale University

While the Ivy League schools do not offer general athletic scholarships, they provide financial aid based on need.

You must be accepted to the college and submit a financial aid application in order to be eligible for financial help at an Ivy League institution.

The good news is that all Ivy League institutions accept American students regardless of their financial situation. For international students, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton even consider a financial necessity.

In terms of chess scholarships particularly, it’s probable that Ivy League universities don’t offer any scholarships just for chess players.

The chess clubs or teams that compete in college tournaments may exist at some of these universities. You might be able to join these teams if you’re a gifted chess player and earn funding from other sources, such as academic scholarships or need-based help.

The ability to pay is not taken into account throughout the admissions process, according to need-blind admissions. But because entrance to Ivy League schools is so tough, kids must have outstanding academic records.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that Ivy League institutions’ chess scholarship policies and chances can change.

It is advisable to get in touch with the admissions or financial aid offices of the specific Ivy League schools you are interested in attending in order to acquire accurate and current information. They can give you comprehensive details about the chess players’ financial aid choices.

Looking for more options? Check out The United States Chess Federation – Scholastic National Invitational Event and Award Requirements, as it provides numerous chess scholarships and prizes for aspiring players. 

The USCF tournaments are the focus of the majority of the awards. However, some awards, such as the Scholar-ChessPlayer Prize, also call for scholastic aptitude. Awarded to students who “create a positive image of chess” is the latter scholarship.

What College Has The Best Chess Program?

The “best” college chess program can vary depending on many variables, including team accomplishments, player ratings, coaching staff, resources, and general support for chess players. 

Yet, a few universities are well known for their robust chess programs. Here are a few noteworthy examples:

1. University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas): One of the best chess programs in the country has long been regarded as UT Dallas. They have a competitive chess team, provide scholarships to gifted players, and win collegiate chess tournaments.
2. Webster University: In college chess, Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, has made a name for itself. They have a chess team that is quite successful and has won several national titles. Top chess players can receive scholarships from Webster University, which also has a chess facility.
3. Texas Tech University: Texas Tech University has made investments to develop a successful chess program. Their chess team has experienced considerable success, taking home numerous national titles. Texas Tech has a solid support system for its chess team and grants scholarships to gifted players.
4. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC): UMBC has a strong chess program as it’s one of the top colleges with chess teams and has earned a reputation for its success in collegiate chess competitions. They have won multiple national championships and have a dedicated chess team and scholarship opportunities for players.

Which State Has the Best Chess Community?

Strong chess communities may be found in a number of American states, which also often stage notable competitions. 

The strength of chess communities can change throughout time, making it difficult to pinpoint the one situation that is the absolute best for the game. So, here are some states that are frequently acknowledged for having vibrant chess scenes:

1. New York: Particularly in New York City, there is a thriving chess scene with lots of clubs, competitions, and good players. New York is home to the illustrious Marshall Chess Club and the Saint Louis Chess Club, and Scholastic Center.
2. California: California has a long chess history, especially in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Chess clubs, competitions, and good players are all very active in this area.s.
3. Illinois: The chess community is thriving in Illinois, especially in the Chicago area. Players of all skill levels have access to tournaments held by the Illinois Chess Association.
4. Texas: Texas has a vibrant chess scene with numerous running clubs, competitions, and organizations. The Texas Chess Association plans tournaments and offers assistance to players of all ages and abilities.

It’s important to note that chess communities can be found in many states in the USA and that each state may have a different level of chess activity. Furthermore, online platforms have made it simpler for chess players to communicate and compete internationally, diminishing the significance of the location.

Is Chess Recognized by the NCAA?

Chess is not recognized as a varsity sport by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Traditional sports like basketball, football, and such are the main emphasis of the NCAA’s regulation and organization of college athletic events in the United States.

However, some organizations acknowledge and coordinate chess as a competitive sport at the collegiate level. For example, the United States Chess Federation (US Chess) is the primary overseer of intercollegiate chess tournaments in the United States, including the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the availability of scholarships for chess players at colleges has been steadily growing, offering promising opportunities for chess players. While not as common or widespread as scholarships for traditional sports, chess scholarships have gained recognition and support from several educational institutions.

So, it is important for aspiring chess players to research and explore their options for colleges with established chess programs or scholarships in order to further develop their skills.

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