The University of Silicon Valley has launched a new scholarship program that could reward dedicated gamers with up to $15,000 annually. Dubbed the "Max Achievement Scholarship," the program seeks to acknowledge students who have demonstrated exceptional mastery, persistence, and systems thinking by completing demanding in-game feats across a variety of titles. The scholarship's website states that it rewards "disciplined practice, strategic problem-solving, and pursuit of mastery beyond minimum requirements," qualities the university sees as driving academic excellence.
To be eligible, players must have completed specific achievements in over 50 listed games, proving their proficiency. The scholarship offers two tiers: Legendary, which can award up to $5,000 per term, and Mastery, which offers up to $2,500 per term. The selection of games is diverse, encompassing MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, strategy titles such as Civilization 6, and numerous soulslike and roguelike games including Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Sekiro, Spelunky 2, Vampire Survivors, Hades, and Dead Cells. Popular titles like Minecraft, No Man's Sky, and Valheim are also included.
While many requirements involve achieving 100% completion, some demand significant dedication. Examples include reaching level 99 in all skills in Old-School Runescape, acquiring every achievement in the Dark Souls trilogy, completing an Ironman Legend run in XCOM 2, or unlocking all 115 advancements in Minecraft. Platform-specific achievements are also recognized; PlayStation players can qualify for the Legendary Tier by unlocking at least 10 Platinum trophies, with three needing to be classified as "Ultra-rare" (earned by less than 1% of players). Xbox users can earn a spot by accumulating over 100,000 Gamerscore and achieving a 90% completion rate across 10 titles. Steam players must secure 100% achievements in five different games that have a global average completion rate below 5%. For Nintendo Switch players, completing 100% of the map and shrines in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom qualifies for the Mastery Tier.
Each listed accomplishment is accompanied by an "educational rationale" linking the in-game feat to real-world skills. For instance, achieving 100% completion in Stardew Valley is associated with "long-term planning and relationship management," while earning an S-Rank on all Cuphead bosses on Expert difficulty demonstrates "precision under pressure."
Players whose favorite game or accomplishment is not on the official list can submit their achievements for review, providing documentation of rarity and an explanation of the mastery involved. The University of Silicon Valley plans to award 10-15 scholarships in its inaugural year, with potential for expansion based on the program's success and applicant quality. Beyond proving their gaming prowess, candidates must also submit a 500-750 word essay reflecting on what their digital pursuits have taught them about learning, persistence, or problem-solving. The university emphasizes that these skills are transferable and can fuel innovation and entrepreneurship.