The Women at Microsoft Scholarship seeks to empower and enable high school women and non-binary people* to go to college, realize the impact technology has on the world, and target a career in the technology industry. A primary goal of this scholarship is to help improve gender diversity in the technology industry. This year, Women at Microsoft will award 13 scholarships with a total value of $85,000:

• 3, $20,000 scholarships distributed over 4 years ($5,000 per year, renewable)
• 10, $2,500 one-time scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

All students applying must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a graduating high school senior who identifies as a woman and/or as non-binary*. For 2021 only: the committee is allowing students who graduated High School in 2020 but took a gap year due to the pandemic to apply.
• This scholarship is available to women and non-binary people* who wish to pursue a career** in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) field.
• Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Applicants must be applying to an accredited 2-4 year public or private college or university or technical college in the United States (or a US affiliate program).***
• The scholarship may be used to pay tuition, room and board, or class fees. Payments will be sent directly to the college or university (no direct payments to students will be made). 
• The grand prize scholarship is renewable for a total of up to four years so long as the student continues to meet the eligibility criteria of maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0.  
• Awards will be made based on financial need, scholastic achievement, and passion for technology.
• Submit all elements of the application through SurveyMonkey Apply on or before the deadline of March 1, 2021.

How to Apply

To apply for a Women at Microsoft Scholarship, please register and create a SurveyMonkey Apply individual applicant account. To do so, please click on the green "Register" button on the top right of the screen, not the "Apply" button. You will be directed to a new page where you will select "Register as an individual" and prompted to enter your personal information. Upon creation of your applicant account you will click on "View programs" and search for the Women at Microsoft Scholarship, using the search bar. 

Please note that all application materials will be submitted online including the following items:

• Student and school information. 
• An essay (500 words max) outlining your plan to be engaged in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) industry in your career and highlighting your passion for technology and the impact it can have on the world.
• Financial Information & Needs Statement.
• Summary information and a short essay outlining your personal, academic, and community engagements.
• Unofficial Transcript from your high school.
• Two letters of recommendation:
  • One academic reference.
  • One reference from a person you know through employment or community leadership (no relatives). 

NOTE: Finalists will be asked to participate in virtual interviews with selection committee via Microsoft Teams sometime in spring of 2021.

*Non-binary people, those who are gender fluid, and women of transgender experience are encouraged to apply.

**Due to the dynamic nature of a career in technology, this scholarship is not limited only to students pursuing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) fields of study fields of study. Instead, the selection committee is most interested in an applicant’s plan to be engaged in a STEAM industry in their career, their passion for technology, and the difference technology can make in the world.

***International applicants are welcome to apply.

For logistical support related to Survey Monkey Apply, please visit here for more information.
Please email scholarships@seattlefoundation.org or call (206) 515-2119 if you have any questions.