There’s a myth floating around out there that the video game industry is a “boys club.” Unfortunately, this can prevent many competent female professionals from jumping into the field. Sony Online Entertainment would like to help dispel that myth and put some women into positions of gaming power. They announced last week their plans to lure women into video game design with a $10,000 scholarship and paid internships. A Sony-sponsored survey in January of female students enrolled in game design and programming at The Art Institutes showed that about half of those surveyed think more women would play video games designed by women.

Students enrolled in The Art Institutes schools can begin applying for the SOE GIRL (Gamers in Real Life) scholarship in April. The winner will get ten grand for tuition and a paid internship at an SOE studio. The Art Institutes has 35 campuses in the United States and offers online education. Students enrolled in accredited universities or trade schools can also apply for SOE internships.

Click here for more info on the survey and scholarships.