Microsoft disAbility Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Microsoft

Introduction
The Seattle Foundation, in partnership with the Disability at Microsoft Inclusion Network, offers a scholarship opportunity aimed at current high school seniors who intend to continue their education at a college, university, or vocational-technical school in the United States. The award supports students pursuing eligible fields of study and who meet the program’s academic, leadership, and financial-need criteria.

Who may apply
To be eligible for the Microsoft Disability Scholarship Program, applicants must:
- Be a current high school senior.
- Plan to enroll for the upcoming academic year at an accredited U.S. institution (two- or four-year college/university or vocational-technical school) as either a full-time or half-time undergraduate student.
- Intend to major in one of the qualifying areas: Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Law, Business, or closely related programs such as Paralegal studies, Pre-Law, Finance, Business Administration, or Marketing.
- Show a demonstrated interest in technology.
- Exhibit leadership in school and/or community activities.
- Demonstrate financial need to attend college.
- Have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
- International students are eligible provided they will enroll at a U.S. college or university.
- Note: Microsoft employees and their children are not eligible to apply.

Award details
- Each selected recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship (applicable for students enrolled full-time or half-time).
- Up to 11 scholarships will be awarded.
- Scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years or until the recipient completes a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first. Renewal depends on meeting renewal conditions: maintaining at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, remaining enrolled full-time or half-time, and continuing in an eligible major.
- Awards apply only to undergraduate study.

Notification and payment
- Applicants will be informed of decisions in June.
- Notifications are delivered by email. When creating your application account, do not use a school or employer email address; provide a personal email you will retain access to.
- Add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org and the program’s official email address to your safe-sender/contacts list to ensure you receive correspondence.
- Scholarship America administers payments on behalf of The Seattle Foundation. Payments are issued in early August and are made payable to the recipient’s school; funds are mailed directly to the institution.

How recipients are chosen
Finalists are identified by Scholarship America, and the final recipient selections are made by Microsoft. All applicants accept the committee’s decisions as final. Selection will be based on:
- Academic record
- Demonstrated leadership and involvement in school and community activities
- Work experience
- A personal statement outlining educational and career goals
- Any unusual personal or family circumstances
- A written essay (see topic below)
- One online recommendation
Financial need will be taken into account; applicants must demonstrate need.

Essay prompt
Describe an original technology concept that would improve the lives of people with disabilities. Explain how your idea differs from current solutions and how it connects to your intentions to work in the technology sector. Maximum length: 3,000 characters.

Application materials and requirements
You must submit the following documents electronically for your application to be considered complete:
- A current, official transcript showing:
- Student name
- School name
- Course grades
- Credit hours for each course and term
(Grade reports are not acceptable substitutes for a transcript.)
- For international applicants: upper secondary school diploma/certificate (if earned) and examination results.
- English translations for any documents not in English.
- If you choose to include SAT or ACT scores that are not printed on your high school transcript, upload official test score reports separately.
- One online recommendation form completed by a school faculty/staff member or a community supervisor who has worked with you. This recommendation must be submitted no later than three business days after the application deadline.

Reminder: your application will be incomplete unless all required files and the recommendation are submitted electronically by the specified deadlines.