Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to the Black at Microsoft Scholarship
The Black at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarship offers financial assistance to high school seniors of African descent pursuing degrees in technology and business-related fields. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship, its eligibility requirements, award details, and application process.
About Blacks at Microsoft (BAM)
Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) is a company-sponsored employee network dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of Black employees at Microsoft Corporation. The Seattle Foundation and the Black at Microsoft Inclusion Network have established a scholarship program.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the Black at Microsoft Scholarship Program must meet specific criteria to be considered. These requirements ensure that the scholarship supports deserving students who are passionate about technology and business.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a high school senior.
- Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the US in the fall immediately following your high school graduation.
- Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or one of the following Business programs - Business Administration, Finance, or Marketing at an accredited four-year college, university, in the United States, for the entire upcoming academic year.
- Demonstrate a passion for technology.
- Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community.
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent.
- Be of African descent (for example, African-American, African, or Ethiopian).
- Demonstrate financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award.
International students are eligible to apply if enrolling in a US college or university. Employees and children of employees of Microsoft are ineligible.
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Scholarship Awards and Renewal
The Black at Microsoft Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to selected students, helping them pursue their academic goals.
If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. Up to 55 awards will be granted. The awards are as follows:
- 5 awards of $5,000: Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, full-time enrollment, and continued enrollment in the eligible major.
- 50 awards of $2,500: Awards are one-time only. Payment is made in early August.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit several documents as part of their application. These materials provide a comprehensive view of the applicant's academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.
As part of your application, you must upload the following:
- A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
- Student name
- School name
- Grades
- Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
- Upper secondary school diploma or certificate, if earned (International applicants only).
- Results of examinations (International applicants only).
- English translations for any non-English documents.
- NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately.
- Essay Topic: Describe how you plan to engage in the technology industry in your career.
- Students will also need to submit a full-color headshot, an official transcript and one recommendation letter.
- Students will have to submit a resume that includes any extracurricular activities, including paid work, volunteer positions, and more. Go through the resume and make sure it does not have any typos, spelling or grammar mistakes.
The Application Essay: A Critical Component
The essay portion is one of the most critical aspects of the application. Before you start writing, take some time to brainstorm the main points you want to make. Work on a rough draft and have a parent, guardian or trusted teacher take a look. If you have had any difficult circumstances to overcome, make sure to mention them in your essay.
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Recommendations
If you plan to approach a teacher who is often asked to write recommendation letters, make sure you give them enough notice. Also, the recommendation letter must be completely original and not something you have sent in for a previous college or scholarship application.
Selection Process
Selection of finalists is made by Scholarship America. Microsoft will select recipients. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
Additional Opportunities
Microsoft offers up to eight free certification exams for students. If you take these and pass, you can add them to your resume.
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