Applications are being accepted for Microsoft Disability Scholarships. These scholarships will be awarded to promising high school seniors who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and have a financial need.

The amount of this renewable scholarship to be awarded is $5,000 per year, up to $20,000. The scholarship is paid through the Seattle Foundation on behalf of the disAbility Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Microsoft to the recipient’s school’s Financial Aid Office.

The Disability Scholarship at Microsoft delivers on the mission of Microsoft’s cross-disability employee resource group to empower and enable people with disabilities.

Application Deadline: To apply for a Microsoft Disability Scholarship, submit your application online by March 13, 2024

Brief Description

• Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing the undergraduate program.
• Study Subject: Scholarships are awarded in the field of engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related field (e.g. paralegal, pre-law, finance, business administration, or marketing).
• Awards: The amount of this renewable scholarship to be awarded is $5,000 per year, up to $20,000. The scholarship is paid through the Seattle Foundation on behalf of the disability Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Microsoft to the recipient’s school’s Financial Aid Office.
• Scholarship can be taken in the USA

Eligibility

To be considered for the Microsoft disability Scholarship, the applicant must

• Be a current high school senior (the US and International) with living with a disability (as defined by WHO), whether that be visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, speech or other disability.
• Plan to attend an undergraduate program in a 2 or 4-year University/College or Technical College in the fall of the academic year following high school graduation. Schools must be in the USA or have a USA-Affiliate for financial transactions (contact Seattle Foundation to verify non-USA school’s eligibility).
• Declare a major in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related field (e.g. paralegal, pre-law, finance, business administration, or marketing).
• Demonstrate a passion for technology.
• Demonstrate leadership at school and/or in the community.
• Have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Require financial assistance to attend college.
• Enrollment status must be full-time or half-time.
• Nationality: International students can apply for these scholarships.

Scholarships for Disabled Students in the USA

How to Apply

To apply for a Microsoft disability Scholarship, print and fill out the application. Enclose it in an envelope with the following items:

• Résumé. Your résumé should include the following information:
  -Extracurricular activities (school and community-related)
  -Honours and awards that you have received (if possible, include awards that are technology related)
  -Work experience
• Picture of yourself (Optional).
• Include an official “sealed” copy of your current academic transcript. (If selected, unofficial copies will not be accepted.)
• Three essays.
  -In no more than 500 words, describe how you plan to be engaged in the technology industry or technology law or policy in your career.
  -In no more than 500 words, please share your vision of how Microsoft can innovate its future devices and services solutions to creatively & successfully support those living with disabilities in the workplace and in daily life to reach their potential.
  -In no more than 250 words, demonstrate your financial need for this scholarship.
• Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty or staff member at your school. Letters of recommendation should be original and should not be duplicates of college recommendation letters. (Letters must be on letterhead.)
• Complete Application Form: Fill out the entire Application Form at the end of this page. You can type the information or print clearly. When you are done, print Sections I and II of the Application Form and make sure that you sign and date the verification on the 4th page.
• Mail completed applications by March 13, 2024 to:
  The Seattle Foundation
  Attn: Scholarships
  1601 Fifth Ave, Suite 1900
  Seattle, WA 98101
• Entrance Requirement: Applicants must have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• English Language Requirement: Applicants whose first language is not English are usually required to provide evidence of proficiency in English at the higher level required by the University.

Scholarship Link