Sony Entertainment is currently accepting applications for its “Gamer In Real Life” scholarship program, offering up to $10,000 towards tuition and other educational expenses and a paid 10-week internship at one of its development studios.

Even though the number of female gamers is steadily growing, the development side of the industry remains firmly male-dominated. Sony’s been running the G.I.R.L scholarship program for four years now aiming to help shift that imbalance. Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program. More information can be found at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/gamersinreallife.

Personally, I think it’s a fine idea. Never hurts to have more developer scholarships.

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR 4TH ANNUAL G.I.R.L. GAME DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP

Industry Scholarship Encourages More FemaleGame Development Talent Representation

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – February 28, 2011 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) announced today it is now accepting applications for the fourth annual Gamers In Real Life (G.I.R.L.) scholarship at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/gamersinreallife. 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).

“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 of developing fun and innovative games for everyone.”

Together with Scholarship America, a leading non-profit educational support program, SOE is using its status as a leader in online gaming to encourage students to consider a career in the video game industry.

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.

About Sony Online Entertainment

Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online game console and wireless devices. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, Untold Legends™, PlanetSide®, and the recently launched DC Universe Online™, as well as the recent kids’ phenomenons Free Realms® and Clone Wars Adventures™, SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, and Tucson, AZ, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development across various platforms and genres for audiences of all ages.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest, Free Realms, Champions of Norrath and PlanetSide are registered trademarks and Untold Legends is a trademark of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

About Scholarship America®

Scholarship America is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit, private-sector scholarship and educational support organizations. Its three primary programs – Dollars for Scholars®, Scholarship Management Services® and ScholarShop® – are united in the mission to expand access to education. Scholarship America (www.scholarshipamerica.org) has awarded more than $2 billion to nearly 2 million students since its founding in 1958, and is rated a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator.