Merit Scholarships
Castle Chess, Inc. offers $100 merit scholarships to campers who have achieved a peak rating by a certain age (based on camper’s age on the first day of camp and peak rating):
10 years: USCF rating above 1500
11 years: USCF rating above 1600
12 years: USCF rating above 1700
13 years: USCF rating above 1800
14 years: USCF rating above 1900
15 years and up: USCF rating above 2000
Castle Chess also awards $300 scholarships to the winners of the top sections at the Spring National Scholastic USCF Championships (Elementary, Junior High, and High School). Winners of the December Grade Level Championships also qualify. For the Grade-level champions, scholarships are valid for the camp immediately following the championship. For the Spring champions, scholarships may be used in either the camp immediately following the award OR the following year, but not both.
To claim a merit award when registering via Paypal, submit payment in full for camp and then send an email to Jennifer Christianson, jennifer@castlechess.org, and you will receive a refund. To claim a merit award when paying by check, simply send in the lower amount along with a note of explanation.
Need-based Assistance
Castle Chess, Inc., does attempt to help campers with demonstrable need for financial assistance. All need-based scholarship inquiries and awards will be kept confidential. Please direct inquiries to Debbie Torrance, debbie@castlechess.org.
The Marshall Jaffe Memorial Scholarship
This year Castle Chess, Inc., has inaugurated a new full-tuition scholarship in honor of Castle Chess’s late founder, Marshall Jaffe, a man who loved chess and those who love chess.
To apply for this award:
1. Submit one original essay of up to 1,000 words developing the theme, “Why I Love Chess.”
2. Submit two letters of recommendation, written by people not related to the candidate. who can speak on behalf of the applicant’s love of chess. The writers can be chess coaches, teachers, chess club members, or others who know the applicant.
3. Candidates must have a minimum rating of 700.
4. We welcome on-line submissions. Send to: Mark@castlechess.org. Send hard copies to: Mark N. Taylor, Box 350, Mt Berry, GA 30149-0350.
5. Essays and supporting documents must be received no later than April 30, 2010. The winner will be announced no later than June 1.
Submitted essays become the property of Castle Chess, Inc., and may be published, in whole or in part, on our website.
Note: don't get caught without a spot! Even if you are applying for the Marshall Jaffe award, register and pay at the earliest opportunity. The winner will get a refund, and all the others will still get to come to camp.
NEW AND EXCITING! In conjunction with the FIDE Commission for Womens Chess, Castle Chess Inc. is awarding one full scholarship to a young woman from South America to come to the 2010 camp. The young woman will be a strong player with experience in international chess competition chosen by the FIDE Commission, and transportation to camp will be provided by the Commission. English proficiency is required. The Commission co-Chair is reigning Womens World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, and the Secretary is Martha Fierro, a former Castle Chess Instructor. For more on the FIDE Commission for Womens Chess, please see GM Kosteniuk's chess blog.
All scholarships and awards are non-transferable.