A rare in-game achievement could be worth up to US$15,000 in annual financial aid at the University of Silicon Valley. The institution’s Max Achievement Scholarship recognizes students who complete unusually difficult objectives in selected games.
The program is not limited to esports athletes or competitive players. Applicants may qualify by providing proof that they have earned an eligible achievement from USV’s approved game list.
USV frames these achievements as evidence of abilities that can matter in higher education. The university cites persistence, practice discipline, problem-solving, strategy, and systematic thinking among the qualities reflected in difficult gaming goals.
Scholarship levels and requirements
The Max Achievement Scholarship has two levels, called Mastery and Legendary. Each level is tied to the rarity of the achievement and carries a different potential award amount.
| Category | Scholarship Value | General Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Mastery | Up to US$2,500 per period | An achievement completed by about 1-5 percent of players |
| Legendary | Up to US$5,000 per semester | An achievement earned by less than 1 percent of players and generally requiring more than 500 hours of play |
Mastery applies to difficult achievements that have still been completed by roughly 1-5 percent of a game’s player base. Legendary is reserved for substantially rarer accomplishments that typically demand a much longer commitment.
USV says players in the Legendary category have generally spent more than 500 hours reaching the required objective. With awards of up to US$5,000 per semester, the scholarship can total as much as US$15,000 in one calendar year.
A list spanning several gaming genres
The approved titles cover a wide range of genres, from MMORPGs and roguelikes to strategy, survival, and precision-focused games. This scope means the scholarship is not built around one style of gaming achievement.
| Genre | Examples on USV’s List |
|---|---|
| MMORPG | Old School RuneScape, World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls Online |
| Roguelike | Dead Cells, Slay the Spire, Hades |
| Souls-like | Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Cuphead, Hollow Knight |
| Strategy | Civilization VI, Factorio, Cities: Skylines, Chess.com |
| Survival | Minecraft, Terraria, Don’t Starve Together, Stardew Valley, Subnautica |
| Precision | Geometry Dash, Beat Saber, Ghostrunner |
Strategy titles such as Civilization VI, Factorio, Cities: Skylines, and Chess.com reflect the program’s attention to planning and managing complex challenges. Survival games including Minecraft, Terraria, and Subnautica can also require persistence in completing long-term goals.
The souls-like selection includes Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Cuphead, and Hollow Knight. These games are associated with challenges that often require precision, repeated practice, and consistent execution.
Proof matters more than playtime alone
The university does not treat time spent playing as the sole basis for an award. USV requires evidence that an applicant obtained an achievement specified for a game on its list.
In its program description, USV says the scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate “extraordinary mastery, persistence, and systematic thinking” through rare and demanding digital accomplishments. The university considers those traits aligned with factors that may support academic success.
The initiative creates an additional way for achievements outside the classroom to be considered in higher education. For students who have completed qualifying goals in eligible games, those accomplishments may become supporting credentials for study at USV.
