microsoft funding

Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) is a company-sponsored employee network dedicated to supporting the continued growth and development of black employees at Microsoft Corporation. This year, BAM will award two US$5,000 scholarships to outstanding high-school seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. The scholarships are renewable, so winners who continue to meet the criteria can receive an annual $5,000 award for up to four years.

Requirements

To be considered for a BAM Scholarship, you must:

• Be a high-school senior of African descent (for example, African American, African, or Ethiopian).
• Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the fall of the year following high-school graduation.
• Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing).
• Demonstrate a passion for technology.
• Demonstrate leadership at school or in the community.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• Require financial assistance to attend college.

How to Apply

To apply for a BAM Scholarship, print and fill out the application. Enclose it in an envelope with the following items:

• Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a faculty or staff member at your school. Letters of recommendation should be original and should not be duplicates of college recommendation letters. (Letters must be on letterhead.)
• Résumé. Your résumé should include the following information:

• —Extracurricular activities (school and community related)
• —Honors and awards that you have received (if possible, include awards that are technology related)
• —Work experience

• Picture of yourself.
• Transcript. Include an official “sealed” copy of your current academic transcript. (Unofficial copies will not be accepted.)
• Two essays.

• 1. In no more than 500 words, describe how you plan to engage in the technology industry in your future career. (If you have done exemplary work using technology during high school, please describe that also.)
• 2. In no more than 250 words, demonstrate your financial need for this scholarship.

Mail your completed application to the following address by March 1. You will receive a response by April 15.

• The Seattle Foundation
• c/o BAM Scholarship
• 1200 5th Avenue, Ste. 1300
• Seattle, WA 98101

Download the BAM Scholarship application (Microsoft Word document, 88 KB)