Applications are now being accepted for the fourth annual Gamers In Real Life (G.I.R.L.) scholarship program. Sponsored by Sony Online Entertainment, a global leader in online gaming, and administered by Scholarship America, a leading non-profit educational support program, this program's goal is to encourage students to consider a career in the video game industry and ultimately develop video games that are more interesting for women to play. Applications are available at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/gamersinreallife/. More details, including official rules for entry, are also available online at http://www.soe.com/girl/.
"The most recent industry studies show that although a large percentage of the game playing population is female, they make up only about one in every 10 game developers," said Laura Naviaux, vice president of global sales and marketing at SOE. "For the fourth year in a row, SOE is committed to encouraging women to pursue an exciting and rewarding career developing fun and innovative games for everyone."
The winning student will be awarded up to $10,000 toward tuition and other educational expenses and a paid internship of up to 10 weeks at one of SOE's development studios (room, board, transportation, and living expenses not included).
To be eligible to participate, entrants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program related to video games, including video game art, design, animation, production, programming or visual effects, must not graduate before the end of the 2012 spring term, and must comply with the program’s official rules. Entrants are required to complete an online application along with two pieces of original concept art and one essay that will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Online applications must be completed and submitted on or before April 6, 2011. SOE will announce the winner on or about May 16, 2011.
For more information about the 2011 G.I.R.L. scholarship program, please visit http://www.soe.com/girl/.