The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar award for outstanding U.S. high school seniors from low-income households who are Pell-eligible and from one of the following communities: African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American. TGS covers the full cost of attendance not already covered by other aid and the expected family contribution, enabling recipients to graduate college with minimal or no debt.
Key Facts (Quick Look)
- Host: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (administered via The Gates Scholarship)
- Level: Undergraduate (first-time, first-year students)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
- Selection: Academic excellence, leadership, and personal success skills
- Award: Last-dollar funding for the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room/board, books, transportation, and other personal costs)
Eligibility Snapshot
- High school senior at the time of application.
- Pell-eligible (demonstrated financial need).
- Minimum cumulative weighted GPA (on a 4.0 scale) typically 3.3 or higher.
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
- Self-identify with at least one of the specified minority groups.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Costs not already covered by other grants/scholarships and the EFC/SAI.
- Coverage generally includes tuition & fees, housing and meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses.
- Ongoing support programming, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities.
Timeline (Class of 2026)
- Application opens: Mid-July 2025.
- Application deadline: Mid-September 2025.
- Semifinalist phase: December 2025–January 2026.
- Finalist interviews: March 2026.
- Selection and awards: April–September 2026.
Application Components (Typical)
- Online profile and eligibility questionnaire.
- Academic records/transcripts.
- Recommendation(s) from a teacher/counselor.
- Responses about leadership, community involvement, and aspirations.
- Financial information confirming Pell eligibility (via FAFSA/SAI).
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Create a myTGS account and complete your profile.
- Gather documents: unofficial transcripts, test scores (if available), list of activities and honors.
- Ask your recommender early; confirm they understand TGS criteria.
- Complete essays/short answers that reflect growth, resilience, and impact.
- Submit ahead of the deadline to avoid technical issues.
- If selected as a semifinalist, complete the supplemental tasks promptly.
- Prepare for interviews as a finalist by practicing concise, values-driven stories.
Tips to Stand Out
- Show sustained leadership and initiative, not just memberships.
- Demonstrate academic rigor and upward trajectory.
- Tie your goals to how you’ll use college to give back to your community.
- Emphasize resilience and problem solving in the face of real constraints.
Common Questions
What’s a last-dollar scholarship?
It fills the gap after other aid is applied, up to the full cost of attendance.
Do I need test scores?
TGS doesn’t require standardized tests, but you can report them if you have them.
Can Dreamers apply?
Review the current eligibility terms; TGS specifies U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.