Microsoft Disability Scholarship in USA

Country: USA Value: $20,000.00 Deadline: March 1, 2021 Category: Undergraduate

Microsoft Disability Scholarship in USA: The scholarships are renewable – each winner who continues to meet the criteria is eligible to receive an annual award of $5,000 for up to four (4) consecutive years for a potential total $20,000 scholarship.

Microsoft Disability Scholarship fulfill the mission of the Microsoft Cross-Disability Employee Resource Group to empower and empower people with disabilities.

Application Criteria for Microsoft Disability Scholarship in USA

To be considered for the Microsoft Disability Scholarship, you must:

Be a current high school senior 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 an approved 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.

This scholarship will be awarded to promising high school seniors with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and target a career in the technology industry. The scholarships are renewable – each winner who continues to meet the criteria is eligible to receive an annual award of $5,000 for up to four (4) consecutive years for a potential total $20,000 scholarship.

Eligible Nationalities for Microsoft Disability Scholarship in USA

All nationalities. (You are a high school student who currently has a disability (as defined by WHO), be it visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, speech, or other disability. Plan to take a 2- or 4-year college / university or technical college course in the fall of the academic year after graduating from high school. The school must be in the US or have a US affiliate for financial transactions)

Terms and Conditions:

You also need:

Résumé: Your resume should include the following information:

Extracurricular activities (school and community related)
Honors and awards that you have received (if possible, include awards that are technology related)
Work experience

Transcript: Include an unofficial copy of your current academic record. (If shortlisted, applicant must provide official version to Seattle Foundation)

Two letters of recommendation: At least one letter must be from your school's faculty and staff. The recommendation letter must be the original and must not be duplicated with the university recommendation letter. Do not include family members as a reference.

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 300 words, describe how your disability has impacted you, and your financial need for this scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to be a US citizen to apply?

No, all disabled high school students with financial need are encouraged to apply.

Do I need to go to an American school (college / university, etc.)?

Not necessarily. You must go to a school in the United States, or the school you attend must have an affiliate in the US For financial transactions (please contact Scholarship@seattlefoundation.org to verify eligibility for schools outside of the US)

Is the scholarship renewable?

Yes, the winner will receive US$5,000 per academic year, up to a maximum of US$20,000.

Are there any internships or other Microsoft activities related to this renewable scholarship?

Currently not available. As the fund grows, Microsoft reserves the right to make changes to develop such programs.