Texas Tech SPICE Scholarships
History
Through the efforts of the Knight Raiders Texas Tech began offering modest chess scholarships to high school students in the fall of 2005. Since then the program has grown from year to year. Below we describe the necessary qualifications and procedures needed to obtain a chess scholarship from Texas Tech.
General
Chess scholarships can be obtained from us in several different ways: 1) by earning or being awarded one at a tournament: 2) by officially requesting one. In both instances the awarded must meet the conditions discussed below.
Who qualifies?
Applicants must meet the following conditions:
1. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements at Texas Tech or the Health Sciences Center. Moreover, it applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
2. Applicants must have a active chess rating which is obtained through over-the-board tournament play. These ratings must be certified by a national organization such as the US Chess Federation (USCF) and or the World Chess Federation (FIDE). We do not accept ratings obtained through Internet play or by playing personal software programs. Moreover, the rating must be no older than two years.
How large is the scholarship?
The level of the scholarship depends on two things: level of chess mastery and the education level sought being sought. Undergraduates alone can qualify for the largest (even full) scholarships. Graduate students will qualify for the entry level scholarships to modest scholarships but rarely full scholarships (graduate students typically receive funding from their departments in the form of teaching or research assistantship). Below is a list of the level of funding provided.
1. Full Scholarship
This scholarship covers the tuition, fees and the cost of living (lodging and food) for a full-time student enrolled in our undergraduate programs. Full-time students carry a minimum load of nine hours per long semester. It is renewable for up to four years provided the student remains in good academic standing. These scholarships are typically reserved for Grandmasters (exceptions can be made for International Masters).
2. Tuition and Fees Scholarship
This scholarship covers tuition and fees for a full-time student enrolled in an undergraduate program. The scholarship is renewable four years provided the student remains in good academic standing.
3. In-State Tuition Waiver
This scholarship is currently $1,000 per year. It comes in the form of a tuition waiver (in other words its is subtracted from the tuition bill). This scholarship also comes in-states tuition savings. In other words out-of-state and foreign students who receive it automatically get in-state-tuition.
Other Chess Funding
Even though you may not receive or qualify for any of the scholarships above you may still be able to receive support through our other chess activities such as workshops, summer chess camps, teaching in the local schools, and Super Saturdays.
Please send questions or inquiries to SusanPolgar@aol.com.
This is great. Thank you for doing so much to help young players.