The 2024 CAAA Scholarship is now open!
CAAA is proud to present the scholarship program for 2024! As a non-profit organization dedicated to sharing the rich cultural heritage of the abacus, CAAA awards scholarships annually to eligible abacus and mental arithmetic students. It is our mission to encourage and reward students who have shown outstanding performance and growth over the years.

Who may apply?
Students who fulfill all five (5) of the following criteria:

  • Students of abacus and mental arithmetic who are enrolled in school grade 6 or above (2023/24 school year).
  • Students of abacus and mental arithmetic who have taken the annual assessment test, in one of two subject areas, abacus or mental arithmetic, in 2022 and 2023, and will take the assessment test in 2024. 
  • Students who have passed the abacus and/or mental arithmetic assessment test, including the 2024 Annual Assessment Test, with grade level 2 or higher.
  • Students who have been recommended by a member teacher of CAAA.
  • Past scholarship winners may not apply for a scholarship of the same category.

Application process

  1. Complete the application form to its entirety. You may apply for only one type of scholarship: either abacus or mental arithmetic, not both. You must have taken the annual assessment test in the subject area for which you are applying for in both 2022 and 2023, will take the assessment test in 2024, and have passed or will pass grade level 2 or higher.
  2. Complete all required supplemental material (i.e. essays). Compose two (2) short essays that answer the following prompts. Limit your response to 500 words per essay.​
Prompt #1 - Write about your experience with abacus or mental math and how it has contributed to your personal growth. For example, what motivates you to learn abacus or mental math, and what were some challenges you overcame or lessons you learned? OR
Prompt #2 - Thinking back to when you were beginning to learn abacus or mental math, what advice or encouragement would you give your younger self? OR
Prompt #3 - Looking forward, what do you see yourself doing with abacus or mental math? How can it continue to benefit you, and how can you use your abacus or mental math skills and knowledge to give back to your classroom, CAAA, or the wider community?

3.   Submit your completed application form and supplemental material electronically by Sunday, May 12, 2024, 11:59 PM Pacific.

4. Request a letter of recommendation from your current instructor, who will submit the recommendation directly to CAAA at [email protected].

**Applications must be received electronically by Sunday, May 12, 2024, 11:59 PM Pacific to be considered. No exceptions.** CAAA will not be held responsible for providing confirmation upon the receipt of applications. Please visit the FAQ if you need further clarification, or send your inquiries to [email protected].

Judging

  1. 50% of the final score will be based on originality, creativity, style, and how well the applicant embraced the essay prompts.
  2. 45% of the final score will be based on the last 2 consecutive assessment test scores.
  3. 5% of the final score will be based on the strength of the letter of recommendation.

Award

Scholarships will be awarded to the finalists. Each scholarship recipient will also receive a certificate and be recognized at the Annual Assessment Test & Scholarship Award Ceremony in his/her testing region (if such a ceremony is held). Please note that scholarships will not be awarded if the 2024 Assessment Test is not held.

CAAA Community Service Award

The CAAA Community Service Award is a separate for award for those who are in Grades 11 or 12 (Class of 2024 or 2025) and who volunteer with abacus (in the classroom or in the community) and have not previously received the Community Service Award. (You do not have to be a current abacus/mental math student.) Please fill out the Community Service Award application form, and send it to [email protected] by May 19.