Requirements

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

  • 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.

How to Apply

The Microsoft Disability Scholarship will begin accepting applications on January 23, 2023. To apply for a Microsoft Disability Scholarship, submit your application online by March 15, 2023 via the Scholarship America portal.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit the following:

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:

  • An official or unofficial copy of your current academic transcript

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. (2,000 characters max).

A letter of recommendation:

  • The letter must be from a faculty or staff member at your school or a member of the community that has worked with you in a supervisory role.
  • The letter of recommendation should be original and should not be duplicates of college recommendation letters.
  • Applicants are not permitted to include relatives as references.

The 2023 scholarship application period will run from January 23, 2023 until March 15, 2023. Applications should be submitted online via the Scholarship America portal.

For questions, please email disscholarshipinfo@microsoft.com

Please note, emailed or mailed scholarship applications will not be accepted.

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No, all high school students living with a disability with a financial need are encouraged to apply.

Yes, Only applicants who plan to attend a school based in the USA will be considered for this scholarship.

Yes, as long as your undergraduate program meets the eligibility requirements.

No, all materials must be submitted through the online application link.

Yes, award recipients will receive $5,000 per school year, up to $20,000 total award.

Not at this time. If you are interested in applying, you can find more information here: Microsoft Internships

Yes, you can take advantage of Microsoft’s student certification offer. Eligible students can take up to eight Fundamental certification exams for free through June 2023.