2018 Scholar-Chessplayer Applications: Deadline Extended to March 31

Are you a chess player and a scholar? If you're a US Chess member, and a high school junior or senior, please apply for the 2018 Scholar-Chessplayer Award, with a new extended deadline to March 31. Download the full 2018 Scholar-Chessplayer Application (Word file) here. If you are a current US Chess member you are eligible to apply for a 2018 National Scholar-Chessplayer award if you:

Played in at least 25 Regular-rated US Chess or FIDE games during calendar year 2017. Games that are not regular rated do not count towards the 25 game requirement.
Have shown outstanding achievement both in academics and chess
Completed at least one year of chess-related community service since the beginning of 9^th Grade
Articulate in an essay (of 500 words or less) how your selection as a 2018 Scholar-Chessplayer will enable you to further your education, and continue your chess activities in the future

Download the full qualifications here. A total of five awards of $1,500.00 each will be presented for a total of $7,500.00 in scholarship money. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible. These scholarships are awarded annually by US Chess, and funded by the US Chess Trust and The National Scholastic Chess Foundation. They recognize outstanding high school students who promote a positive image of chess. Applications are available here. Applications are scored equally in four areas: Academics, Chess Playing, Community Contributions, and the Personal Essay. Contact Susan Kantor, Scholastics Associate, at the US Chess Office, (931) 787-1234 x136 or email skantor@uschess.org with any questions. Your completed application consists of the documents listed below. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated by the selection committee.

The cover page of the Application, which contains basic information about yourself.
Your high school transcripts showing all courses and grades.
Your SAT or ACT scores (pre-SAT scores are not acceptable).
Evidence that you have played at least 25 US Chess or FIDE rated games during calendar year 2017.
A list and brief description of your best Chess Accomplishments.
Examples of your Chess-related Community Service since the beginning of 9^th Grade or later.
A letter of recommendation from a teacher in a current or former school you have attended in 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th
A letter of recommendation from a Chess Coach or Tournament Director.
A letter of support from someone other than a parent, guardian or relative, attesting to the nature, duration and impact of your chess-related community service. We also encourage you to submit newspaper articles or web-based stories as evidence.
Your essay of no more than 500 words describing how your being recognized as a Scholar-Chessplayer would help you continue contributing to the greater US Chess community in the future.
OPTIONAL: A recent color photograph of yourself, either a headshot or full-length.

You can send your application to us in two ways—email or regular mail. If you use email, we must receive your application by Friday, March 31st, 2018. If you send your application by one of many available postal carriers, it must be postmarked by midnight on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. Recipients who attend the 2018 National High School Chess Championship in Columbus, OH on April 27^th – 29th, 2018, will be recognized at the event. Attending the 2018 Nationals tournament is not a requirement to be eligible for the 2018 Scholar-ChessPlayer Award. Send your completed application to: US Chess Federation Attn: Susan Kantor P.O. Box 3967 Crossville, TN 38557-3967 OR Email – Attn: Susan Kantor at skantor@uschess.org