🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
$8,000 total ($2,000 per year for four years)
🗓
Deadline
Varies by region: Mid-November for NYC/DC and February for Los Angeles
🌐
Fields
All fields of study
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 30-50 per year
🌏
Study Country
United States
🏛️
Provider
Milken Family Foundation and the Milken Institute
📊
Acceptance
Estimated at less than 3%
The Milken Scholars Program honors exceptional young people who have demonstrated the potential to make a significant contribution to the world. It provides a financial award combined with a life-long network of professional and personal support, including mentorship and career counseling.
👥 Who Should Apply
High-achieving seniors with a minimum 3.6 GPA who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community service, and have overcome significant obstacles.
🏛️ Host University
Any accredited four-year college or university in the United States
🤝 Sponsor
Milken Family Foundation
🌐 Fields of Study
All fields of study
✨ Key Benefits
Recipients receive an $8,000 cash award, a dedicated mentor, admission to the annual Milken Scholars Summit, and a permanent support network of professionals and peers.
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving students from diverse backgrounds in specific geographic regions
🏷 Tags
Undergraduate
Leadership
NYC
LA
DC
Mentorship
First-Generation
Financial Need
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
No (stipend can be applied toward tuition or other expenses)
Living Stipend
No (stipend is flexible for educational costs)
Total Award
$8,000 total ($2,000 per yea
✈️ Travel: Yes (Covers travel and lodging for the annual Milken Scholars Summit)
🏠 Accommodation: No
💊 Health Insurance: No
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: $0 (Free to apply)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
No (stipend can be applied toward tuition or other expenses)
🏠 Living Stipend
No (stipend is flexible for educational costs)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (Covers travel and lodging for the annual Milken Scholars Summit)
🎁 Other Benefits
Lifelong mentoring, professional development, internship assistance, career counseling, and access to a global network of scholars.
📋 Renewal Conditions
Must maintain a high GPA and actively participate in Milken Scholars Program events and community requirements.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Graduating high school seniors residing in Los Angeles County, New York City, or Washington D.C. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate (High School Seniors)
📊 Minimum GPA
3.6 (unweighted)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency required (Native or equivalent)
🎂 Age Limit
High school senior age (typically 17-19)
💼 Work Experience
Not required, but community service and extracurricular leadership are mandatory
🏆 Leadership
High (applicants must show significant leadership roles and community impact)
💰 Financial Need
Yes (financial need is a significant factor in the selection process)
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving students from diverse backgrounds in specific geographic regions
📝 Application Requirements
Rec Letters
Yes (Typically two letters of recommendation)
Interview
Yes (Finalists must undergo a personal interview)
Application Fee
$0 (Free to apply)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Typically two letters of recommendation) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Proficiency required (Native or equivalent)
- Interview: Yes (Finalists must undergo a personal interview)
- Min GPA: 3.6 (unweighted)
📋 Application Process
Emphasize your resilience and how you have contributed to your community. The committee looks for 'Scholars' who are also 'Leaders' and 'Servers'.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your personal statement highlights a specific obstacle you overcame and how that shaped your career aspirations.