The Microsoft Disability Scholarship is designed to support high school seniors with disabilities who aspire to pursue a career in technology. This scholarship program provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate a passion for technology, leadership in their communities, and a need for financial aid to attend college. The scholarship is renewable and aims to empower students to achieve more through higher education and careers in technology-related fields.

Recipients of the Microsoft Disability Scholarship will receive a total award of $20,000, distributed over four years at a rate of $5,000 per year. The award is renewable for up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale and enrollment in an eligible major at an accredited two-year or four-year university, college, or vocational/technical school in the United States. Eligible majors include engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, and related fields such as finance, marketing, and business administration.

To qualify, applicants must be current high school seniors living with a disability as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Disabilities may include visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, or speech impairments, among others. Eligible students must plan to enroll in an undergraduate program in the U.S. and maintain full-time or half-time enrollment. Applicants must also demonstrate leadership in school or community activities, have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and require financial assistance for college tuition. Employees and children of Microsoft employees are not eligible for this scholarship.

As part of the application process, students must submit various documents and information, including details about their educational and career goals, extracurricular activities, awards, work experience, financial need, and any exceptional family or personal circumstances, such as ongoing disability-related expenses. A current academic transcript is required, along with an essay detailing an innovative technology idea that would improve the lives of people with disabilities. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member at their school or a community leader who has supervised them in some capacity. The letter must be original and cannot be a duplicate of a general college recommendation letter. Relatives are not permitted to provide recommendations.

The next application cycle for the Microsoft Disability Scholarship opens on January 22, 2025, and applications will be accepted until March 13, 2025. Applications must be submitted via the Scholarship America Hub. Emailed or mailed applications will not be accepted. Applicants can direct questions about the scholarship to disscholarshipinfo@microsoft.com. Additional information about other Microsoft scholarship opportunities and resources is available through Microsoft Philanthropies and Employee Resource Groups.