Microsoft Scholarship Program 2026 – Technology Scholarship for Underrepresented Students in the USA

A merit-based scholarship from Microsoft supporting students from underrepresented groups pursuing STEM degrees at universities in the United States — with a direct pathway to Microsoft internship opportunities.

About the Microsoft Scholarship Program

The Microsoft Scholarship Program is one of the most well-known corporate scholarship initiatives in the technology industry. It was created by Microsoft as part of the company’s long-standing commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive global technology workforce. Microsoft recognises that certain groups — including women, students with disabilities, students from Black, Hispanic, and other underrepresented communities — continue to be significantly underrepresented in the technology sector, and the scholarship program represents a direct investment in changing that reality.

The program provides financial awards to outstanding students who are pursuing degrees in computer science, software engineering, or related technical fields at accredited universities in the United States. In addition to the financial award, selected scholars are given the opportunity to interview for a Microsoft internship — a benefit that many recipients consider more valuable than the scholarship itself. Microsoft internships are among the most competitive and well-regarded in the global technology industry, and the structured pathway this scholarship provides into that process is a significant career advantage.

Microsoft operates multiple scholarship tracks under different program names targeting specific communities. These include the Microsoft Scholarship for students with disabilities (administered in partnership with Lime Connect), the Microsoft TEALS Scholarship for students from communities underrepresented in technology, and various regional or initiative-specific awards. The eligibility criteria, award amounts, and application processes vary across these tracks. For the purposes of this article, we describe the general Microsoft Scholarship Program framework, but applicants should review all active Microsoft scholarship opportunities on the official website to identify the track most relevant to their background.

International students who are currently enrolled at accredited U.S. universities on valid student visas are eligible to apply for the Microsoft Scholarship Program, making it one of the relatively rare corporate scholarship programs in the USA that is genuinely open to international applicants. This is an important point for students from outside the United States who are currently studying in the country and looking for meaningful financial support alongside their university’s own aid packages.

What the Scholarship Covers

The Microsoft Scholarship Program provides the following support to selected scholars:

• Financial award of up to $10,000 USD for one academic year, paid directly to the scholar or in some cases to the institution, to be applied toward tuition or study-related expenses
• Opportunity to interview for a Microsoft internship — this is not a guaranteed internship offer, but a formal invitation to enter the recruitment process ahead of the general applicant pool. Selected scholars who perform well in the interview can receive paid internship placements at Microsoft offices in the United States.
• Mentorship — some scholarship tracks pair recipients with Microsoft employees who provide career guidance and professional advice throughout the scholarship year
• Networking access — scholars are connected with other Microsoft scholarship recipients and with the broader Microsoft employee community, providing professional contacts within the company
• Renewable award — in some cases and on some tracks, the scholarship is renewable for a second year, subject to continued enrolment and satisfactory academic performance
• Recognition — being named a Microsoft Scholar carries professional credibility within the technology industry and signals to other employers that your academic work and community contributions have been recognised by one of the world’s leading technology companies

The scholarship does not cover living expenses, accommodation, health insurance, or international travel costs. Students who are considering applying should budget carefully and understand that the $10,000 award, while significant, is intended to reduce the financial burden of study rather than eliminate it entirely. The most complete financial benefit comes when the Microsoft award is layered on top of other university scholarships, departmental grants, or teaching assistantship funding.

Eligibility Requirements

The following eligibility criteria apply to the general Microsoft Scholarship Program. Requirements for specific tracks may vary — always verify on the official Microsoft website:

• You must be currently enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program at an accredited college or university in the United States
• You must be studying computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field
• You must be a member of a group underrepresented in the technology industry — the specific groups recognised depend on the track, but typically include women, people with disabilities, Black students, Hispanic/Latinx students, and Native American students
• You must demonstrate strong academic performance — a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is typically required, though competitive applications generally have higher averages
• You must be legally authorised to work in the United States — this applies specifically to the internship component. International students on F-1 visas with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility typically qualify, but confirm your visa work authorisation status before applying
• You must not be a current Microsoft employee or an immediate family member of a Microsoft employee
• You must be enrolled for the upcoming full academic year for which the scholarship is awarded — the award is for a specific academic year and cannot be deferred

The work authorisation requirement deserves careful attention for international students. The financial scholarship itself does not require work authorisation — it is an award, not employment. However, the internship opportunity that accompanies the scholarship does require you to be legally eligible to work in the USA. International students on F-1 visas who have completed at least one academic year are typically eligible for Curricular Practical Training, which can authorise an internship that is connected to their academic program. If you are unsure about your eligibility, consult your university’s international student office before applying.

How Selection Works

The Microsoft Scholarship selection process is conducted by Microsoft’s academic programs team and typically unfolds across several months from application to award notification. Understanding each stage will help you prepare a competitive submission.

Stage 1 — Application review: All complete applications are reviewed by Microsoft’s selection team. The review assesses the written essays, academic transcript, CV or resume, and letters of recommendation. Reviewers are specifically looking for evidence of three things: technical capability, community impact, and leadership. A strong GPA contributes to the first, but the essays and supporting materials are where the second and third dimensions are assessed. Applications that read like a technical skills inventory without a human story behind them rarely advance.

Stage 2 — Essay evaluation: The application essays carry significant weight in the selection process. Microsoft typically asks applicants to describe their background as a member of an underrepresented group, their experience in and contributions to the technology field, and their goals for their career and their community. The most competitive essays are specific and personal — they describe real experiences, real challenges, and real contributions rather than generic aspirations.

Stage 3 — Final selection and notification: Selected scholars are notified in the spring, several months after the application deadline. Scholars are then contacted about the internship interview opportunity and provided with information about next steps for both the financial award and the recruitment process.

The internship interview: The internship interview is a standard Microsoft technical interview process, similar to what any Microsoft intern candidate goes through. It typically includes technical problem-solving questions, behavioural interview questions, and discussions about your background and interests. Being a Microsoft Scholar does not guarantee an internship offer — you must perform well in the interview. However, being in the formal recruitment pipeline as a scholar means you have already passed an initial screening that many other candidates have not.

How to Apply

The Microsoft Scholarship application is submitted online through Microsoft’s official scholarships portal. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing and submitting a strong application:

1. Monitor the official Microsoft scholarships page from September. Applications typically open in the autumn. Visit the page regularly from September onwards and note the exact deadline as soon as it is published. Deadlines can be tight once the application opens.
2. Review all available tracks and identify the right one for you. Microsoft offers multiple scholarship tracks. Read the eligibility requirements for each carefully and apply only to the track where you clearly qualify. If you are eligible for more than one, review which best aligns with your background and goals.
3. Prepare your application essays in advance. The prompts tend to be consistent from year to year. Begin drafting your responses before the application opens — this gives you time to write, revise, and improve them rather than rushing. Essays written under deadline pressure are almost always weaker than essays written over several weeks.
4. Build and update your technical portfolio. Before applying, ensure that any GitHub repositories, personal projects, or academic research you reference are current, documented, and accessible. Your technical work should be easy for a reviewer to find and understand.
5. Request recommendation letters early. Give your referees at least four to six weeks’ notice and provide them with your CV and a draft of your personal statement. Ask for letters that speak to both your technical capabilities and your contributions to your community or field — not just your academic performance.
6. Confirm your work authorisation status. If you are an international student, speak with your university’s international student office to confirm whether you will be eligible for Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training before the internship period. This is important to clarify before you apply.
7. Submit your complete application before the deadline. Review every section carefully. Ensure your transcript is attached and your essays are finalised. Do not submit a draft.
8. Prepare for the internship interview if selected. If you receive a scholarship award and an invitation to interview, begin preparing for technical interviews well in advance. Practise problem-solving questions, review data structures and algorithms, and prepare your behavioural interview stories using specific, real examples from your experience.

Why the Microsoft Scholarship Program Stands Out

Among corporate technology scholarships available to students at U.S. universities, the Microsoft Scholarship Program stands out for a combination of financial value, career access, and institutional credibility that very few comparable awards can match.

Microsoft is one of the most valuable companies in the world and one of the most sought-after employers in the global technology industry. A Microsoft internship is a credential that is recognised and respected by technology companies, research institutions, and graduate programs worldwide. For students who are building careers in technology, having Microsoft on their professional record — even as an intern — opens doors that would otherwise remain closed. The scholarship’s internship pipeline is therefore not just a nice addition to a financial award. For many recipients, it is the most practically significant benefit they receive.

The scholarship is also one of the few corporate awards in this field that is explicitly open to international students enrolled at U.S. universities. This matters enormously. Most corporate scholarship programs in the United States restrict eligibility to citizens or permanent residents, leaving international students without access to the career networks and financial support that their domestic peers can tap into. Microsoft’s decision to include international students on valid study visas reflects a more genuinely inclusive approach to talent development, and it creates a meaningful opportunity for outstanding students from around the world who are currently studying in the USA.

Finally, the recognition value of the scholarship extends beyond Microsoft itself. Being identified as a Microsoft Scholar — selected by one of the most demanding and respected employers in the technology industry — signals to other employers, graduate admissions committees, and research partners that your work and character have met a standard they trust. For students who are competing in a highly competitive job and graduate school market, this kind of external validation can be a meaningful differentiator.

For international students currently enrolled in STEM programs at U.S. universities who are from underrepresented groups in technology, the Microsoft Scholarship Program is a practical, career-advancing opportunity that is worth pursuing seriously alongside other funding applications. It complements rather than replaces the larger fully funded scholarships in USA listed in this guide — and for students already in the country and building their careers, it may be the most immediately actionable award on this list.

Scholarship details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria change regularly. Always verify current information on the official website before applying. This article is for informational purposes only.