The ESA has recently issued a press release announcing their scholorships for future video game developers. Following is their full press release.

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ESA Foundation Offers Scholarships for Future Video Game Developers

Women and Minorities Pursuing Game Studies Can Apply to Program Until May 15

WASHINGTON, DC – March 19, 2008 – With entertainment software holding its place as one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. economy and becoming a new field of study at colleges and universities, the ESA Foundation has established a scholarship program to help train and educate the next generation of video game developers and designers.

Computer and video game companies posted record revenues of $9.5 billion in 2007 and the industry grew by 17 percent from 2003-2006, four times the growth rate of the national economy. More than 200 colleges, universities and technical schools in the U.S., and 400 worldwide offer programs and courses in video game design. 

The ESA Foundation’s Scholarship Program makes available $45,000 in scholarships for women and minority applicants pursuing careers in video game development.  Full-time undergraduate students can apply online for a $3,000 scholarship until May 15, 2008.

“Positions in our industry are high-paying jobs with a remarkable potential to inspire and entertain millions of Americans. We hope these scholarships will encourage students to pursue careers in this growing and lucrative field,” said Michael Gallagher, president and CEO of the ESA, which represents U.S. computer and game publishers.  “We offer this program to help create our industry’s next generation who will boost the industry’s creative capital with new and unique approaches.”

The program assists women and minority students who plan to continue their education in fields supporting video game development, including graphic design, computer science, animation or programming, digital entertainment or software engineering.  Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at accredited four-year colleges and universities.  The ESA Foundation plans to award 15 scholarships of $3,000 each to students for the 2008-09 academic year.

Scholarship Management Services administers this program.  For more information and to complete an application online please visit: https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/esaf.

The ESA Foundation was created by the American interactive entertainment software industry to support and provide opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. The Foundation is fully supported by proceeds from their limited edition charity game pack’s sales and "A Nite to Unite – for Kids," its annual fund-raiser, which has raised more than more than $7.8 million in the last eight years.  For more information about the ESA Foundation, please visit www.theESA.com/foundation.