Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Microsoft
Introduction
The Seattle Foundation, in partnership with the Black at Microsoft Inclusion Network, offers a scholarship program for current high school seniors who intend to pursue a four-year degree in the United States in a STEM or business-related area.
Who may apply
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a high school senior.
- Intend to begin full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States the fall immediately following high school graduation.
- Plan to major in one of the following: Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or a specified business program (Business Administration, Finance, or Marketing).
- Have a demonstrated interest in technology.
- Show leadership involvement at school or in their community.
- Hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
- International students may apply provided they will enroll at a U.S. college or university.
Note: Microsoft employees and their children are not eligible.
Award amounts and terms
Up to 55 scholarships will be awarded:
- Five awards of $5,000 each: These awards may be renewed for up to three additional years (or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first) if the student maintains satisfactory academic progress — specifically, a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, remains enrolled full time, and continues in an eligible major.
- Fifty awards of $2,500 each: These are one-time awards. Previous recipients are not eligible to reapply.
All awards are for undergraduate study only.
Selection process
Finalists are chosen by Scholarship America; Microsoft selects the scholarship recipients from those finalists. Decisions are final and not all applicants will receive an award. Awards are granted based on:
- Academic achievement.
- Leadership and participation in school and community activities.
- Work experience.
- A personal statement outlining educational and career goals.
- Any unusual personal or family circumstances.
- A short essay (see below).
- One online recommendation submitted on behalf of the applicant.
Essay requirement
Essay prompt: Describe how you plan to engage in the technology industry in your career.
Length: up to 2,000 characters (approximately 500 words).
Financial need
Scholarship America will evaluate financial need; demonstrated need is required for an applicant to receive an award.
Application materials and deadlines
Required uploads:
- A full, current transcript (grade reports are not accepted). Transcripts must show: student name, school name, grades, and credit hours for each course and term.
- For international applicants: upper secondary diploma/certificate (if earned) and examination results.
- English translations for any documents not originally in English.
If SAT or ACT scores are not included on your high school transcript, upload official score reports separately. If you submit a college transcript, SAT/ACT reports are not required.
A single online recommendation from a member of your school’s faculty or staff must be submitted no later than three business days after the application deadline.
Your application will be considered incomplete until all required documents are uploaded electronically.
Notification and communications
All applicants will receive notification in June. Notifications are sent by email — do not use a school or employer email address when you create your account; use a personal email you will maintain access to. Add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org and the program email address listed in the application to your safe-sender/address book to ensure delivery.
Scholarship payment
Scholarship America administers payments for The Seattle Foundation. Payments are issued in early August and made payable to the recipient’s college or university; the check is mailed directly to the school.
By applying, you agree to accept the program’s selection decisions as final.