Eighth-grader Edic Tsibulevsky (2050) won a four-year full tuition scholarship to UMBC by placing first in the (playoffs of the) high school divison of the 1995 Maryland Scholastic Championship.

Scholarship to UMBC for Maryland Scholastic Champion

Since 1995, UMBC has offered a full four-year in-state tuition scholarship to UMBC to the Maryland Scholastic Chess Champion. The scholarship will be awarded again in 1997, and UMBC intends to offer this scholarship each year.

Selection and Eligibility

The Maryland Scholastic Champion is determined in two steps. First, there is a preliminary Swiss-system tournament--the school high section of the Maryland Scholastic Chess Championships--held in the spring. Second, the top 16 Maryland residents of this tournament are invited to the ``Sweet 16'' Playoff, in 1996 to be held concurrently with the UMBC Open. The winner of this playoff earns the title of Maryland Scholastic Chess Champion.

To qualify for the scholarship, the candidate must be accepted to and matriculate at UMBC. To maintain the award, the recipient must earn 12 credits each semester and maintain a grade point average of 3.25 or better. The scholarship will be awarded to the highest-placing Maryland resident (at the Sweet 16 Playoffs) who accepts the award.

The scholarship winner does not have to be a graduating senior. If the winner is not a graduating senior, the scholarship will be waiting for the recipient when he or she matriculates at UMBC.

If a nonresident wins the High School Section of the Maryland Scholastics, that student will be recommended for a possible additional scholarship.

Eligibility for the title of Maryland Scholastic Champion is determined by the Maryland Chess Association. Eligibility for in-state tuition is determined by UMBC. In the unlikely event that the Scholastic Champion does not qualify for in-state tuition, the tuition scholarship will be for the amount of in-state tuition.

High-placing finishers in the Sweet 16 are encouraged to apply for other scholarships at UMBC.

Previous Winners

1997, Raymond S. Kaufman (1896).
1996, Mikhail (Misha, Michael) Tsibulevsky (USCF 2020). Severn River Junior High School. 15 years old.
1995, Edic (Edward) Tsibulevsky (USCF rating 2050). Seventh grade student at Magothy River Middle School, and member of the USA Junior National Chess Team.