Undergraduate$5,000 one-time award. Up to 16 awards will be granted. Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Microsoft Scholarship for Women

The Women at Microsoft Scholarship Program assists students pursuing technology, engineering, math, or computer science at accredited two- or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational-technical schools.

Provider: AfterSchoolAfrica
Host country: United States
Deadline: March 16, 2026 (tentative and subject to change). Online recommendation form due three business days after the application deadline date.

Official source

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Microsoft Scholarship for Women is open to African students applying to study in United States at the Undergraduate level, with $5,000 one-time award. up to 16 awards will be granted. awards are for undergraduate study only. funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Undergraduate · applicants for United States
Funding: $5,000 one-time award. Up to 16 awards will be granted. Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Study level: Undergraduate
Deadline: March 16, 2026 (tentative and subject to change). Online recommendation form due three business days after the application deadline date.

Key eligibility criteria

- Graduating high school senior
- Plan to enroll full-time in a technology, engineering, math, or computer science related undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school, in the United States, for the entire upcoming academic year
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent
- International students are eligible to apply if enrolling in a US college or university.

See full eligibility criteria ↓

About the Microsoft Scholarship for Women (2026)

# Women at Microsoft Scholarship Program: Comprehensive Brief ## Overview The Women at Microsoft Scholarship Program, established by the Women at Microsoft Inclusion Network in partnership with the Seattle Foundation, aims to support students pursuing higher education in technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science fields. This scholarship is administered by Scholarship America®, a leading organization in scholarship management. The program’s goal is to foster academic excellence and career development in STEM for graduating high school seniors. While the information for the 2026 program is currently tentative and subject to change, it outlines a significant opportunity for aspiring female leaders in technology. The program emphasizes academic performance, leadership, and community involvement in its selection process, with a commitment to empowering a diverse new generation of professionals in critical fields. ## Benefits Recipients of the Women at Microsoft Scholarship will receive a substantial one-time award of $5,000. Up to 16 such awards are granted to eligible students. These funds are specifically for undergraduate study and are paid directly to the recipient's educational institution in early August. This financial assistance is designed to alleviate some of the economic burdens associated with pursuing a degree in technology, engineering, math, or computer science. It's important to note that this is a non-renewable scholarship, meaning past recipients are not eligible to reapply. The scholarship aims to provide a significant boost to the educational journey of young women entering STEM fields. ## Eligibility To be considered for the Women at Microsoft Scholarship, applicants must meet several stringent criteria. These include being a graduating high school senior who plans to enroll full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school within the United States. The intended area of study must be directly related to technology, engineering, mathematics, or computer science. A strong academic record is crucial, evidenced by a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent. International students are encouraged to apply, provided they plan to enroll in a U.S. institution. However, employees and children of employees of Microsoft are expressly ineligible for this scholarship. ## Required Documents Applicants must meticulously prepare and upload several essential documents to complete their application. A current and complete transcript of grades is mandatory; grade reports are not accepted. The transcript must clearly display the student's name, school name, grades, and credit hours for each course and term. For international applicants, an upper secondary school diploma or certificate, if earned, and results of examinations are also required. All non-English documents must be accompanied by English translations. If SAT or ACT scores are not present on the high school transcript, a separate copy of the test score report(s) must be uploaded. A crucial component of the application is one online recommendation form, which must be submitted by the recommender no later than three business days after the application deadline. The application is considered incomplete without all required materials submitted electronically. ## How to Apply The application process for the Women at Microsoft Scholarship is managed electronically through Scholarship America. While the program is currently closed, prospective applicants for the 2026 cycle should anticipate an online application portal. It is critical to create an account using an active, personal email address that will be maintained beyond high school, rather than a school or work email, to ensure continuous access to communications. Applicants should also add "studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org" and the program's specific email address as safe senders to prevent missing important notifications. The application requires careful submission of all personal details, academic information, and uploaded documents, along with ensuring the timely submission of the online recommendation form. Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, is also a key factor in the selection process, and information relating to this will be requested during the application. ## Key Dates All applicants will be notified of their application status in June. Scholarship payments for selected recipients are processed by Scholarship America on behalf of The Seattle Foundation and are typically made in early August. The official deadline for the 2026 program is March 16, 2026. Given that an online recommendation form must be submitted within three business days *after* the application deadline, recommenders should be prompted well in advance of March 16. It is important to remember that all dates provided for the 2026 program are tentative and subject to change. ## Selection Criteria Scholarship recipients are chosen based on a holistic review process that evaluates several key aspects of an applicant's profile. Academic performance is a primary consideration, demonstrating a student's capability in demanding subjects. Equally important are demonstrated leadership qualities and active participation in both school and community activities, showcasing engagement beyond academics. Work experience is also taken into account. Applicants must submit a compelling statement of educational and career goals and objectives, articulating their aspirations and how this scholarship will help them achieve them. Unusual personal or family circumstances are also considered. An online recommendation plays a vital role in providing an external assessment of the applicant's character and potential. Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated to receive an award. Scholarship America selects finalists, with Microsoft making the final recipient selections. ## Tips To maximize your chances of securing the Women at Microsoft Scholarship, start preparing your application well in advance of the deadline. Pay close attention to all eligibility requirements to ensure you meet them. Craft a compelling statement of educational and career goals, as this is a crucial opportunity to convey your passion and future plans. Carefully select an individual who knows you well—academically or professionally—to provide a strong online recommendation, and ensure they submit it promptly after the deadline. Double-check all uploaded documents for accuracy and completeness, especially transcripts, to avoid any delays in processing. If you are an international applicant, ensure all non-English documents are accurately translated. Remember that financial need is a factor, so be prepared to provide relevant financial information. Finally, ensure your chosen email address remains active and regularly check for notifications from Scholarship America. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Women at Microsoft Scholarship Program, please refer to the official website: [https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/women-at-microsoft/](https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/women-at-microsoft/). This brief is based on the information provided on this official page, and any future changes or updates to the program will be reflected there. It is highly recommended to visit the official source directly to review all guidelines, application instructions, and any amendments to the program criteria or timeline. Always consult the official page for the definitive details of the scholarship program.

Microsoft Scholarship for Women eligibility for United States applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

- Graduating high school senior
- Plan to enroll full-time in a technology, engineering, math, or computer science related undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school, in the United States, for the entire upcoming academic year
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent
- International students are eligible to apply if enrolling in a US college or university.
- Employees and children of employees of Microsoft are ineligible.

Documents required for the Microsoft Scholarship for Women application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Standardised test scores where required (SAT or ACT for many U.S. universities)
Secondary-school leaving certificate (WAEC, KCSE, NSC, EGSECE or equivalent)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Microsoft Scholarship for Women 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/women-at-microsoft/ and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "- Graduating high school senior - Plan to enroll full-time in a technology, engineering, math, or computer science related undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technic…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/women-at-microsoft/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by March 16, 2026 (tentative and subject to change). Online recommendation form due three business days after the application deadline date. (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, AfterSchoolAfrica will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Microsoft Scholarship for Women deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

Visit official site

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Microsoft Scholarship for Women?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Undergraduate level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by AfterSchoolAfrica, and be able to relocate to United States for the duration of the programme.

Is the Microsoft Scholarship for Women fully funded?+

Funding model: $5,000 one-time award. Up to 16 awards will be granted. Awards are for undergraduate study only.. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is March 16, 2026 (tentative and subject to change). Online recommendation form due three business days after the application deadline date.. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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