If you missed it at E3, the leading games broadcasting network Twitch TV has joined forces with Alienware and SteelSeries to come up with the 2012 TwitchTV and Alienware Scholarship.

$50,000 of funding will be offered between five lucky applicants based on their academic and gaming achievements as well as their passion and dedication to gaming as well. The winners will be chosen by a committee composed of industry experts so they’re is no denying that the winners will be carefully selected.

Emmett Shear, CEO of TwitchTV had this to say about the program : “We’ve seen the competitive gaming landscape explode over the last year, as marked by our site’s traffic, as well as the sharp increase in the number of pro tournaments, sponsor interest and number of players who are able to support themselves by streaming their games. The scholarship concept was inspired by our desire to give something back to the community that has helped us grow to more than 17 million unique visitors a month, less than one year from our launch in June 2011″

According to the Alienware General Manager, the goal of the scholarship is to encourage the top players to pursue higher education while continuing to compete at the highest levels of gaming.

Entrants will have to draft an essay of what gaming means to them and also include a video of why they feel they deserve a spot on the winners row.

Entries have already been taken and will run till July 15th. The winners will be announced on August 15th.

For more information and to apply, check out www.twitch.tv/p/scholarship