Sponsoring Institution: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Type: Full-ride scholarship to any college

Eligibility: A high school senior from at least  one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
Pell-eligible (the Pell grant awards student financial aid for those who are eligible)
A US citizen, national, or permanent resident
In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

Application Deadline:
Phase 1: Mid- September
Phase 2: March –Students will be selected for in-person or zoom conference video
Final Phase: April, Gates Scholarship select 300 students from the 600 finalists

Highlight: One of the biggest struggles families in America face is paying the high costs of their kids’ college or university tuition. The Gates scholarship understands this struggle and serves to provide aid for low-income households with a full-ride scholarships to 300 students to the college or university of their choice! Students will receive aid based on family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must be a senior in high school, in the top 10% of the graduating class with a GPA around 3.3 to 4.0. This full-ride scholarship will be given to students from at least one of the ethnicities mentioned in the eligibility requirements, given that they also demonstrate great leadership skills with great autonomy and perseverance. The first phase of this full ride scholarship involves a short questionnaire due in September; 2500 semi finalists are chosen in phase 2 to complete another questionnaire and to submit essays, updated transcripts, and recommendation letters by January. Finally, 600 finalists are selected to complete phase 3 of this full ride scholarship, which involves in-person or video conference interviews. The Gates Foundation will then announce the 300 winners in April. With tuition costs rising every year, take advantage of this opportunity asap! Don’t wait to convince yourself that you are or are not an ideal candidate! If you match the eligibility criteria, then just jump into phase 1 and apply. Your chance to win one of 300 full ride scholarships, awaits.