Microsoft is offering scholarships for the 2008–2009 academic year to students enrolled in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline, such as math or physics, with a demonstrated interest in computer science.  Applicants must also apply for a summer internship with Microsoft, and scholarship applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2008. Recipients will be announced by March 20, 2008. 

What are the provisions of the award?
Scholarships are awarded to recipients for one academic year.  The scholarship will cover up to 100 percent of the tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year as posted by the financial aid office of the university or college.  Scholarships are made through the designated school and are not transferable to other academic institutions.  Funds are to be used for tuition only and may not be used for other costs on the recipient's bursar bill. All recipients of the scholarship will be required to complete a salaried summer internship of 12 weeks or more at Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington.  Microsoft reserves the right not to offer a position to the scholarship winner if an appropriate match cannot be found.

What are the criteria for scholarship eligibility?
Students must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at a college or university in the United States, Canada, or Mexico at the time the application is submitted.  Students must be enrolled full-time and making satisfactory progress toward an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline, such as math or physics, with a demonstrated interest in computer science.  The student must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average out of a possible 4.0, or a 4.0 cumulative grade point average out of a possible 5.0. 

What is required to apply?
A completed application includes five items:  your résumé, transcript, essay questions, letter of referral, and confirmation of your online application to the Microsoft Summer Internship program.  All items must be mailed to the address below and postmarked by February 1, 2008 to receive full consideration.

Résumé- Enclose a copy of your résumé that includes your e-mail address, campus address and phone number, student ID number, permanent address and phone number, major and expected graduation date.

Transcript- Enclose a copy of your current academic transcript.

Essay Questions- Use one page to answer all four of the following essay questions (not one page per question).

·          Describe how you demonstrate your passion for technology outside the classroom.

·          Describe the toughest technical problem you've worked on, how you addressed the problem, your role in reaching the outcome, if it was team-based, and the final outcome.

·          Describe a situation which demonstrates initiative and your willingness to go above and beyond.

·          Describe how you are currently funding your college education.

Gender/Ethnicity/Disability (optional)- Please note your gender, ethnicity or disability on the page with your essay questions if you would like that information to be considered with your application.

Letter of referral- Enclose a letter of referral from a faculty member or an academic advisor who knows your work.

Confirmation of Online Application to the Microsoft Internship Program - Apply online at http://www.microsoft.com/college for a summer internship and print out a confirmation page showing you have done so.  This printed confirmation must be included in your mailed application materials.

Please send your completed application postmarked by February 1 2008 to: 
Microsoft Scholarship Program
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-8303