🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Covers the full 'gap' amount after Pell Grants and other financial aid are applied
⏱
Duration
Up to 5 years of undergraduate study
🗓
Deadline
September 15 (Annual)
🌐
Fields
All academic disciplines
🌏
Study Country
United States
🏛️
Provider
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 1%
The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. It was launched in 2017 to succeed the Gates Millennium Scholarship. The program aims to help students realize their maximum potential by removing financial barriers to college.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must be high school seniors from specific minority groups, Pell-eligible, with a minimum 3.3 GPA, planning to enroll full-time in a US four-year degree program.
🏛️ Host University
Any accredited, not-for-profit, private or public four-year college or university in the US
🌐 Fields of Study
All academic disciplines
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, room, board, and transportation) that is not already covered by other financial aid and the student's expected family contribution (EFC).
🎯 Target Students
Minority high school seniors from low-income households
🏷 Tags
Gates Scholarship
TGS
Undergraduate
Minority Students
Pell-Eligible
Full Funding
Leadership
US Education
💸 Funding Breakdown
Living Stipend
Included in the total cost of attendance gap funding
Total Award
Covers the full 'gap' amount after Pell Grants and other financial aid are applied
✈️ Travel: Yes (Transportation to and from campus)
🏠 Accommodation: Yes (Room and board)
💊 Health Insurance: Yes (If part of the university's cost of attendance)
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: Free
🏠 Living Stipend
Included in the total cost of attendance gap funding
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (Room and board)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Yes (Transportation to and from campus)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (If part of the university's cost of attendance)
🎁 Other Benefits
Leadership development programs, professional mentoring, career support, and networking events
📋 Renewal Conditions
Maintain satisfactory academic progress, a minimum GPA, and full-time enrollment
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
High school senior; Pell-eligible; US Citizen, National, or Permanent Resident; From a minority background (African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American)
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate (Bachelor's Degree)
📊 Minimum GPA
3.3 on a 4.0 scale (weighted)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in English required (Standard US high school curriculum)
🎂 Age Limit
No specific age limit; must be a graduating high school senior
💼 Work Experience
Not required, but leadership and extracurricular activities are heavily weighted
🏆 Leadership
High (Must demonstrate strong leadership through community service or school activities)
💰 Financial Need
Required (Must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant)
🎯 Target Students
Minority high school seniors from low-income households
📝 Application Requirements
Rec Letters
Yes (Requested for Phase II and Finalist rounds)
Interview
Yes (Required for Finalist stage)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Requested for Phase II and Finalist rounds) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Proficiency in English required (Standard US high school curriculum)
- Interview: Yes (Required for Finalist stage)
- Min GPA: 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (weighted)
📋 Application Process
Start the application early, focus on your unique leadership story, ensure your FAFSA is filed as soon as possible, and be authentic in your essays.
💡 Insider Tip: Highlight specific instances where you showed resilience and motivation. Use concrete examples of how you influenced others or contributed to your community.