ESA Foundation

Scholarships

We’re building a pipeline of future video game professionals. 

To inspire future creators in the video game industry and encourage diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM), the ESA Foundation established a scholarship fund providing support for women and minority students across the United States.

Since 2007, the program has awarded more than 450 scholarships, to power the dreams of underrepresented students earning a computer science or video game arts and sciences-related degree.

2024-2025 Scholarship Applications

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now open!

The deadline for submission is April 15th, 2024 11:59 PM EST.

Meet the 2021-22 ESA Foundation Scholars

31 Scholars, 2 Scholarship Funds — an Inspiring and Resilient Class

Computer and Video Game Arts and Sciences Scholars

Meet All of the 2021-22 Scholars

LGBTQ+ Service Scholars Co-Awarded with Gay Gaming Professionals

Meet All of the 2021-22 Scholars


Read the Press Announcement

The Student Network

Providing exceptional, yet underrepresented, students with the tools and resources needed to succeed in STEAM careers is essential to diversifying the video game and related industries. While the ESA Foundation wishes it could award a scholarship to every deserving student, we simply do not have the monetary capacity. By creating the Student Network we hope to offer qualified students the same non-monetary benefits our scholars receive—including professional development, interacting with mentors and accessing internships in the video game industry.

Scholarship Opportunities

The ESA Foundation encourages and supports those who aspire to careers in the video game industry, whether it’s playing or helping to create games. We also know that a college education is expensive—and that the industry is continually seeking ways to increase its diversity. Our three scholarships offer opportunities for everyone. Take a look!

The ESA Foundation Computer and Video Game Arts and Sciences Scholarship

For students pursuing careers as video game creators
Learn More

The ESA Foundation Esports Scholarship

For students who play or manage esports on a collegiate team and are pursuing a four-year, academic degree 
Learn More

Scholar Spotlight:
Northern Exposure

When Caitlyn Kenney was an ESA Foundation scholar, she studied abroad in Montreal, where she learned video game-making skills from the pros. Today, she’s an environment artist for Ubisoft.
Read More

Scholar Spotlight: 
Something To Prove

Growing up, Tré Lannon led a relatively rootless existence, living with his family in towns across the country. So video games became a refuge for the computer programming major at USC.
Read More

Past Scholarship Recipients

Get an insight into the passion it takes to be an ESA Foundation Scholar from our past scholarship recipients.

See Scholarships
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