The Gates Scholarship: Full-Cost US Undergraduate Award (US Minorities Only)
The Gates Scholarship funds 300 outstanding US minority high-school seniors per year for full-cost undergraduate study. Africans abroad: see Gates Cambridge for the international equivalent.
At a glance
- Sponsor
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Level
- Undergraduate (4 years at any accredited US university)
- Funding
- Full cost of attendance — tuition, room, board, fees, books, transportation
- Deadline
- September 15 each year
Who is eligible
- US citizen, national, or permanent resident (DACA included) — international Africans abroad are not eligible.
- Minority student (African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American).
- High-school senior planning to enrol at a US college full-time the following fall.
- Pell-eligible: from a household with significant financial need.
- Cumulative GPA 3.3+ (weighted or unweighted, on a 4.0 scale).
What the award covers
- Full cost of attendance not covered by other financial aid
- Renewable for up to 5 years of undergraduate study
- Selected Gates Scholars also receive mentoring, leadership development, and a strong alumni network
- Note: The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (closed 2016) is the historical predecessor of today's Gates Scholarship
How to apply
- Apply in your senior year of US high school, before September 15.
- Phase 1: nomination form, transcript, FAFSA / SAR.
- Phase 2: full application with essays and a recommendation letter.
- Phase 3: finalist interviews — selection announced in March–April.
Frequently asked questions
Can African students apply for The Gates Scholarship?
No. The Gates Scholarship requires US citizenship, national status, permanent residency or DACA. Africans living in Africa are not eligible — see Gates Cambridge instead.
What about Gates Cambridge?
Gates Cambridge is the international equivalent — fully funded postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge, open to applicants from outside the UK including Africans. Deadline is in early December.
Is The Gates Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The Gates Scholarship covers the full unmet cost of attendance — tuition, room, board, books, transportation and fees not covered by other aid.
How many awards each year?
300 Gates Scholars are selected from a global pool of US minority high-school seniors every year.