MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
Castle Chess, Inc. offers merit scholarships to campers who have achieved a peak rating by a certain age (based on the camper’s age on the first day of camp and peak rating) or are national scholastic champions.
Please note: merit awards are mutually exclusive–in other words, you cannot claim both a $300 award AND a $100 award. Awards may be claimed when you complete the camp registration, just check the box for the appropriate award.
Merit Scholarships by Rating (2024 Camp)
- 10 years: USCF rating at or above 1700 – $100
- 11 years: USCF rating at or above 1800 – $100
- 12 years: USCF rating at or above 1900 – $100
- 13 years: USCF rating at or above 1950 – $100
- USCF Expert: USCF Chess rating at or above 2000 – $100
- National Master: US Chess rating at or above 2200 – $200
- FIDE Master: FIDE FM titled – $300
- FIDE International Master: FIDE IM titled – $400
Merit Scholarships by Tournament (2024 Camp)
Castle Chess awards $300 scholarships to the winners of the top sections (not “U” rating sections) at the National Scholastic USCF Championships (Grade Level, Elementary, Middle School, High School and All-Girls). 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. Note: “winner” is the first place (Champions) only, or anyone tied for first (Co-Champions).
- 2024 National High School (K-12) Champion (Open Section) – $300
- 2024 National Middle School (K-8) Champion (Open Section) – $300
- 2024 National Elementary School (K-5, K-6) Champion (Open Section) – $300
- 2024 KCF All-Girls National Champion – $300
- 2023 National High School (K-12) Champion (Open Section) – $300
- 2023 National Middle School (K-8) Champion (Open Section) – $300
- 2023 National Elementary School (K-5, K-6) Champion (Open Section) – $300
- 2023 National (K-12) Grade Champion – $300
- 2023 KCF All-Girls National Champion – $300
NEED-BASED ASSISTANCE
Castle Chess, Inc., does offer limited help to campers with a demonstrable need for financial assistance as our budget allows. All need-based scholarship inquiries and awards will be kept strictly confidential. Please begin the process by filling out the online registration form so we have details about the camper and contact information for you. Then send an email to info@castlechess.org expressing your wish to apply and explaining the circumstances around your situation.
All requests for needs-based assistance must be received no later than February 28th. A final decision will be made in all cases by March 31st. After a decision is made, applicants have 2 weeks to decide whether to complete enrollment or release their saved spot for another camper.
Please note that because we want to help as many campers as possible, most awards are in the 15% to 40% range and do not exceed 50% of the cost of camp.
FIDE Women’s Commission on Chess Scholarship
In conjunction with the FIDE Commission on Women’s Chess, Castle Chess Camp offers one full scholarship every year to a girl or young woman from another country who is one of the top female players in her country to come and study at our camp.