UndergraduateFull tuition + room + board + laptop + travel for the full undergraduate programme

The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is now opening its doors for 300 students looking to study in the USA. Here's all you need to know., Post a Comment

Provider: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Host country: United States
Deadline: September (annual)
Region: Americas

Official source Track this application

Applying from your country? See your edition: Kenya · Nigeria · Ghana · Ethiopia · Uganda · Tanzania · Rwanda · Angola · Mozambique · São Tomé & Príncipe · Senegal · Cameroon · Ivory Coast · Benin · Togo · DR Congo

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Review the recorded eligibility, funding and deadline information below. Confirm the current award conditions on the provider's official source.

Who can apply: High school seniors who are minorities (incl. African-American), Pell-grant eligible, US citizens or permanent residents. Limited applicability to international African applicants.
Funding: Full tuition + room + board + laptop + travel for the full undergraduate programme
Study level: Undergraduate
Deadline: September (annual)

Key eligibility criteria

High school seniors who are minorities (incl. African-American), Pell-grant eligible, US citizens or permanent residents. Limited applicability to international African applicants.

Recorded funding information

Full tuition + room + board + laptop + travel for the full undergraduate programme

About the The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA (2026)

The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is now opening its doors for 300 students looking to study in the USA. Since 2018, the scholarship scheme has been providing top students the opportunity to reach their full potential. TGS is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. **Application deadline: September 15, 2021** ### Table of contents - [About The Gates Scholarship](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/#h-about-the-gates-scholarship) - [What is Covered by The Gates Scholarship?](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/#h-what-is-covered-by-the-gates-scholarship) - [Eligibility Criteria for Students](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/#h-eligibility-criteria-for-students) - [Application Process to Study in the USA](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/#h-application-process-to-study-in-the-usa) YouTube Tap to unmute This video is private If the owner of this video has granted you access, please sign in. [Visit YouTube to search for more videos](https://www.youtube.com/) 1x ## About The Gates Scholarship With the launch of this program in 2017, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continues its long-standing commitment to helping outstanding minority students who come from low-income backgrounds realize their maximum potential. This prestigious scholarship program is based on evidence that by eliminating the financial barriers to college, a last-dollar scholarship can enable high-potential, low-income minority students to excel in their course work, graduate college, and continue to be leaders throughout their lives. In addition to funding, The Gates Scholarship will provide further support to scholars, by engaging with them and their institutions in a variety of ways, to ensure they have access to the resources and services they need, from their first to last day of classes, through graduation and the transition to their chosen careers. ## What is Covered by The Gates Scholarship? Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. These include: - Tuition Fee - Other Miscellaneous Fees - Room - Board - Books - Transportation, and may include other personal costs _*NOTE: Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs._ ## Eligibility Criteria for Students Persons interested in applying for the opportunity must meet the basic eligibility requirements of The Gates Scholarship. These are as follows: - The student applicant must be a high school senior. - They should also be from at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American. - Next, students looking to study in the USA must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. This is usually awarded to undergraduates who have a high degree of unmet financial need, including students whose families have a total income of up to $50,000 may be eligible for the need-based funding. Although, most Pell grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000. - The applicants must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident. While there are various **Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation scholarships** and internships for international students, The Gates Scholarship is for the students who are ready to pursue a full-time four-year degree program at the US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university. - Lastly, prospects must have good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Although the Gates scholarship seeks minorities and people of race, only US citizens, national, or permanent residents are eligible for the scholarship. While you hope to win the Gate and Melinda scholarship award, the foundation requires you to have certain qualities. An ideal candidate will have: - An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class), - Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities), and - Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.). ## Application Process to Study in the USA Applicants for The Gates Scholarship may start their application process by [creating a MyTGS account](https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/sign-up) on the [official scholarship website](https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship). **\| READ MORE: [Student Visas 101 – USA Admissions](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/student-visas-101-for-us-schools/)** * * * _brought to you by Scholarships for Africans_ [**Scholarships for Africans**](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/) is a premier scholarship information blog committed to bringing more opportunities for Africans globally. They are part of the African Scholar Initiative, powered by Scholarship Hippo. Be a part of our growing community! **JOIN:** [Scholarships for Africans Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScholarshipsforAfricans) **LIKE:** [African Scholar Initiative Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/AfricanScholarInitiative) ### Share this: - [Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=facebook&nb=1) - [Share on X (Opens in new window)X](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=twitter&nb=1) - [Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)WhatsApp](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=jetpack-whatsapp&nb=1) - [Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)LinkedIn](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=linkedin&nb=1) - [Share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Telegram](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=telegram&nb=1) - [More](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/#) - [Print (Opens in new window)Print](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/#print?share=print&nb=1) - [Share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Reddit](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=reddit&nb=1) - [Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)Tumblr](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=tumblr&nb=1) - [Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Pinterest](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/the-gates-scholarship-all-you-need-to-know-to-study-in-the-usa/?share=pinterest&nb=1) ### Like this: LikeLoading… ### _Related_ [Gates Cambridge Graduate and Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/gates-cambridge-graduate-and-postgraduate-scholarships-for-international-students/ "Gates Cambridge Graduate and Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students") [Ray Snader Scholarship Program for Study in the USA](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/ray-snader-scholarship-program-for-study-in-the-usa/ "Ray Snader Scholarship Program for Study in the USA") [University of Bridgeport USA International Student Athletic Scholarships](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/university-of-bridgeport-usa-international-student-athletic-scholarships/ "University of Bridgeport USA International Student Athletic Scholarships") In[Opportunities for Africans](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/opportunities-for-africans/), [Scholarships for Africans](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/scholarships-for-africans/), [Study in the USA](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/study-in-the-usa/), [The Gates Scholarship](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/tag/the-gates-scholarship/) ## 3 thoughts on “The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA” 1. 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Funding information

The funding information below is recorded in this listing; it does not establish additional covered components. Check amounts, caps, exclusions and conditions on the official source.

Full tuition + room + board + laptop + travel for the full undergraduate programme

The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA eligibility

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

High school seniors who are minorities (incl. African-American), Pell-grant eligible, US citizens or permanent residents. Limited applicability to international African applicants.

The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA document information

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the materials the provider requests.

How to apply for the The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA 2026

Follow the provider's stated process. The checks below are guidance, not additional application requirements. Any original editorial instructions remain in the description above.

1
Check the provider's process
Consult https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there.
2
Check eligibility and any requested materials
Listed eligibility: High school seniors who are minorities (incl. African-American), Pell-grant eligible, US citizens or permanent residents. Limited applicability to international African applicants.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist.
3
Check dates and next steps
Listed deadline information: September (annual). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA deadline & application timeline

Provider deadline information: September (annual). This text cannot be safely converted to a countdown; check the official source for its meaning. The earlier milestones are optional planning suggestions only.

Planning suggestion: 12 months out
Check the current call and decide whether this opportunity fits your plans.
Planning suggestion: 6 months out
If the provider requires tests or documents that take time, plan for them using its published instructions.
Planning suggestion: 3 months out
If an application is required, review the provider's process and prepare only the materials it requests.
Planning suggestion: 1 month out
If submission is required, allow time to check your materials and any stated cutoff.
Provider deadline
September (annual)
Provider deadline information: September (annual). Confirm the current instructions and any cutoff or time zone on the official source; no additional time is assumed here.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA?+

High school seniors who are minorities (incl. African-American), Pell-grant eligible, US citizens or permanent residents. Limited applicability to international African applicants.

What funding does the The Gates Scholarship: All You Need To Know to Study in the USA offer?+

Listed funding: Full tuition + room + board + laptop + travel for the full undergraduate programme. Confirm amounts, exclusions and conditions on the official source. This label does not establish any additional benefit components.

When is the application deadline?+

Provider deadline information: September (annual). Confirm the current cutoff and any time zone on the official source; no additional cutoff or late-submission policy is assumed here.

What documents do I need to apply?+

No explicit document checklist is recorded here. If an application is required, prepare only the documents requested by the provider; requirements may differ from admission requirements.

How do I check the application process?+

Consult https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship to confirm whether consideration is automatic or requires an application, and follow only the process stated there. Listed eligibility: High school seniors who are minorities (incl. African-American), Pell-grant eligible, US citizens or permanent residents. Limited applicability to international African applicants.. Confirm the current criteria and, if submission is required, use the provider's own checklist. Listed deadline information: September (annual). Confirm any cutoff, time zone and follow-up process with the provider.

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