Microsoft Disability Scholarship: Empowering Future Tech Leaders
The Microsoft Disability Scholarship, championed and funded by passionate Microsoft employees, aims to empower students with disabilities to achieve more through access to education leading to a career in technology. This scholarship provides financial assistance and recognition to promising high school seniors with disabilities who aspire to a career in the technology industry.
Who Can Apply?
The Microsoft Disability Scholarship targets academically impressive high school seniors with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and target a career in the technology industry. The scholarship is open to citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA students, and international students planning to study in the US.
To be considered for the Microsoft Disability Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a current high school senior living with a disability as defined by WHO, including visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, and/or speech disabilities 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.
- 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 2.5 or higher.
- Require financial assistance to attend college.
- Enrollment status must be full-time or half-time.
Scholarship Award and Renewal
Each year, the scholarship awards $5,000 to winning applicants. 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. A total of eight (8) scholarships will be awarded.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted via the Scholarship America portal. As part of the application process, applicants are asked to submit the following:
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- Your future plans: Information about the post-secondary school you plan to attend, your educational and career goals.
- Information about you: Activities, Awards, and Honors (if possible, include awards that are technology-related), work experience, financial information, any unusual family or personal circumstances (include circumstances caused by ongoing disability-related expenses).
- Transcript: A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted.
- Essay: Based on your experience with disability, please share your vision for new technology innovation (such as devices, software, or services) to enhance inclusion for people with disabilities and how it empowers them to achieve more in their lives or communities. Explain how your idea differs from existing solutions and how it relates to your plans to be engaged in the technology industry.
The Essay Component: Innovation for Inclusion
The essay is a critical component of the application, providing an opportunity for students to showcase their passion for technology and their understanding of the challenges and opportunities for people with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to share their unique perspectives and innovative ideas for how technology can enhance inclusion and empower individuals with disabilities. The essay prompt specifically asks applicants to:
- Share your idea for a new technology innovation that would enhance the lives of people with disabilities.
- Explain how it differs from existing solutions.
- Explain how it relates to your plans to be engaged in the technology industry.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Based on previous application cycles, we expect this scholarship to reopen in January 2026.
Our next scholarship cycle will open on January 22, 2024, and applications will be accepted until March 13, 2024. Please check this site again mid-January 2024 to receive further details on the application process.
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. Financial need will be considered.If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $5,000 award for students enrolled full-time or half-time. Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of The Seattle Foundation. Payment is made in early August.
Beyond the Microsoft Disability Scholarship
While the Microsoft Disability Scholarship is a valuable opportunity, students should also explore other scholarship options to maximize their chances of receiving financial aid. Here are a few examples of other scholarships:
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- Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: Open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.
- The Christian Connector: Offers various scholarship drawings for Christian/Faith Based colleges and universities.
- The Appily Scholarship: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and first semester senior students for all majors and schools.
- The Lenny Scholarship: Offers $1,001 US to support young individuals aged 16 and above, enrolled in college and residing in the US or India.
- The "Be Bold" Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship that will be awarded to the applicant with the boldest profile.
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