Generation Google Scholarship
Before you spend hours on this
Will this scholarship actually lower your cost?
Not always. Many colleges reduce your financial-aid package when you win an outside scholarship — sometimes dollar-for-dollar — so the money can end up saving the school instead of you. It's called scholarship displacement. Two free tools tell you where you actually stand:
General guidance, not financial advice — your school's financial aid office is the only authority on how they treat outside awards. Always confirm with them before deciding.
Best fit for
Students from underrepresented backgrounds genuinely pursuing CS — not 'maybe CS, maybe biz.' Google reads your essays for technical depth, not just demographic fit. If you've made things (apps, websites, projects, hackathon submissions), describe them concretely.
What they actually look for
Generation Google Scholarship pays $10,000 for one year ($5,000 in some regions) to high school seniors + college students from underrepresented groups in tech. Important: applying ALSO opens you up to the Google internship pipeline — past winners report being recruited for Google's STEP and BOLD programs directly from the scholar pool. The money is good; the network is better.
What you'll need
- Self-identify as a member of a historically underrepresented group in tech: Black/African, Hispanic/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, women, or person with a disability
- Currently enrolled in OR planning to enroll in CS or CS-adjacent major (HCI, EE, etc.)
- Demonstrated leadership or commitment to advancing CS access
- Essays on CS interests, leadership, and goals
- Two recommendations
- Application via Google's portal — typically opens fall, closes mid-December
When to start
Application opens September-October of senior year (or anytime during college). Deadline mid-to-late December typically. Awards announced spring.
Watch out for
Google has tightened eligibility over the years — review the current criteria carefully. Also: the $10,000 vs $5,000 varies by region (US is currently $10K but this has shifted). Some past applicants confused this with the older 'Google Anita Borg Scholarship' (now retired, replaced by Generation Google + Women Techmakers programs).