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.

2022-23 Scholarship Applications Now Open

Applications for the school year 2022-23 are open and the deadline has been extended until April 29, 2022 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
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The ESA Foundation LGBTQ+ Service Scholarship

For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing video game arts degrees, collegiate esports, or streaming content creation while actively supporting LGBTQ+ communities 
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The ESA Foundation Esports Scholarship

For students who play or manage esports on a collegiate team and are pursuing a four-year, academic degree
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Partnering with Gay Gaming Professionals

In 2019, the ESA Foundation and Gay Gaming Professionals (GGP) teamed up to offer a scholarship awarded to aspiring game developers engaged in service work in their LGBTQ+ communities. Gordon Bellamy, CEO of GGP, calls it "a joyful discovery," one that spotlights the unique contributions of the queer community. 
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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.
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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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