The National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA) is excited to announce the NCTA High School Championship Excellence Scholarship. This award aims to recognize and reward outstanding achievements in taekwondo among high school athletes.

Purpose and goals of the scholarship:

The scholarship program aims to support the continued pursuit of excellence in Taekwondo by high school athletes who reflect NCTA’s values, demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship, dedication, and achievement during their high school Taekwondo career.

Scholarship Details

Name of Scholarship: NCTA High School Excellence Scholarship

Amount: $500 per winner

Number of Winners: 2 (1 kyorugi athlete / 1 poomsae athlete)

Frequency: Awarded one time

Important Dates

Application deadline: April 6th, 2024 extended to April 19th, 2024

Announcement of winners will occur on April 13th, 2024

Eligibility Criteria

The following criteria must be met by the applicant to be considered eligible for the scholarship:

1. Currently enrolled in high school
2. Participation in the 2024 NCTA High School Championship

• High competitors in the High School Championship division must be born in the years 2005 through 2010 and be currently enrolled in high school.
• High school athletes must verify High School student status via the 2024 NCTA High School Eligibility Form and Email a clear photo or nctaeligibility@gmail.com by March 29, 2024.

3. Must hold rank of Black Belt

Application Process

1. Submission of a video application explaining how you are using the lessons from taekwondo to better your local community. Consider including: 
   1. What achievements are you most proud of, and why?
   2. Describe a time you demonstrated leadership through Taekwondo
   3. What are you looking forward to most about continuing Taekwondo in college?
2. Submission of proof of participation in the NCTA High School Championship 
3. 2 letters or videos of recommendations (minimally one recommendation from Taekwondo)
4. Submission of a current unofficial transcript

Application Instructions

To complete your application for the scholarship, please complete the two steps below.

1. Submit your video application to this Google Form.
   1. Applicants should upload their video applications to YouTube.
      1. Set up an account on Youtube.com
      2. Click on “Create” → “Upload video”.
      3. Title the video in the following format:
         “[First Name Last Name] – 2024 NCTA High School Scholarship Application”
         Example: “Jane Doe – 2024 NCTA High School Scholarship Application”
      4. For Visibility, Save or publish the video as “Unlisted”.
      5. Save the video and copy the Video Link to include in your Google Form response.
2. Email the following to ncta.contact@gmail.com:
   1. Proof of participation in the 2024 NCTA High School Championship
      1. PDF of email confirmation of registration for the 2024 NCTA High School Championship
   2. 2 letters or videos of recommendations
      1. Letters must be in PDF format and attached to your email.
      2. Video recommendations may be included as links or attachments in your email.
   3. Current unofficial transcript

Selection Process

A selection committee composed of the NCTA President and active coaches in the NCTA network will be formed to review all scholarship applications.

Criteria 

Applicants will be evaluated based on their demonstration of sportsmanship, dedication, and achievements in Taekwondo.

Factors that will be considered include: 

• Strength of the application
• NCTA High School Championship performance
• Strength of referrals
• Academic performance

Application announcement/submission period begins: March 15, 2024

Application deadline: April 6th, 2024 extended to April 19th, 2024

Application selection process begins: April 7th, 2024

Announcement of winners: April 13th, 2024

Award Announcement

Winners will be notified directly via email. Communications regarding award distribution will occur through direct correspondence with the winners.

Official announcements regarding the award will be shared on the NCTA website and through NCTA’s communication channels. Potential media coverage or press releases associated with the scholarship may apply.

Disbursement of Funds

After successful notification of a scholarship award and verification, NCTA will provide payment of the award to the recipient directly. Check back regularly for updates as more details become available.

Scholarship Renewal

The scholarship is not renewable for multiple years. Applicants may apply multiple times, though winners may only receive the scholarship once.

Terms and Conditions

Scholarship recipients are expected to adhere to the principles and values of the NCTA. If the recipients are found to have exhibited or demonstrated any actions or behaviors contrary to the principles and values of the NCTA, the selection committee may rescind the awards prior to distribution. 

Any changes to scholarship details will be communicated in advance.

Contact Information

For inquiries related to the scholarship, contact:

Email: ncta.contact@gmail.com

Are scholarships from NCTA open to international or DACA students?

Our scholarships are currently open to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and DACA recipients only.

About the NCTA:

The NCTA was formed in 1970 by a group of collegiate martial arts instructors. It works to promote Taekwondo in colleges and universities and to create a better understanding of the culture and philosophy of Taekwondo.

NCTA believes in academic improvement and social progress through Taekwondo. The organization serves to promote, foster, and diversify the experiences that can be obtained in colleges and universities by providing avenues for competition and education for collegiate athletes.