The Gates Scholarship
Gates Scholarship (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
A highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households, covering the full cost of attendance not met by other aid at a four-year U.S. college.
Who should apply
Outstanding high school seniors from low-income households who are members of an underrepresented minority group, show strong leadership and academics, and plan to enroll full-time in a four-year bachelor's program — well suited to first-generation, Pell-eligible students, including those pursuing healthcare.
Eligibility
- High school senior in the year of applying
- Pell-eligible (determined via FAFSA)
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
- Plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at an accredited U.S. not-for-profit college
- Member of one or more of: African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
- Ideal candidates rank in the top 10% of their class with demonstrated leadership and strong personal-success skills
What you get
- A last-dollar scholarship covering full cost of attendance not met by other aid and your Student Aid Index
- Funding for up to five years to complete a bachelor's degree (renewable with satisfactory progress)
- Support services: mentoring, leadership development, career services, and wellness
- A national network of Gates Scholar peers
What the application involves
- Submitted through the online Gates Scholarship portal (create a profile and sign in)
- FAFSA / federal financial aid info used to determine Pell-eligibility and the last-dollar award
- Academic record reflecting the minimum 3.3 weighted GPA
Application tips
- Start early and create your portal profile well before the deadline.
- Complete the FAFSA promptly — eligibility and award depend on it.
- Use essays to tell a specific, authentic story about leadership, challenges overcome, and goals.
- Ask recommenders who know you well early and give them context about your goals.
- Confirm current dates on the official site each cycle — they shift year to year.
Good to know
Highly selective, administered in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Selection moves from application to semifinalist, finalist interviews, and final selection. Published cycle dates varied across pages — confirm current deadlines on thegatesscholarship.org.