Gates Scholarship 2024/2025: Your Path to Excellence and Opportunity. The Gates Scholarship 2024 is now open for applications from eligible students. Established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this prestigious and highly competitive scholarship aims to empower exceptional students who exhibit outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities, and a commitment to positively impacting their communities and the world.

About Gates Scholarships

Launched in 2017 as an expansion of the Gates Millennium Scholars program (established in 1999), the Gates Scholarships aim to support talented, low-income minority students in their pursuit of higher education. The Gates Foundation has invested over $1.6 billion in scholarships, mentoring, and support services to help thousands of students achieve their educational goals, continuing the legacy of empowering exceptional students to unlock their full potential.

Benefits of Gates Scholarships

Gates Scholars receive comprehensive funding that covers the full cost of attendance 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 the Scholar’s college or university. This includes:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Room expenses
• Board expenses
• Books
• Transportation expenses

Note: The cost of attendance may include other personal costs as well.

Eligibility to Apply for Gates Scholarship

To apply for the Gates Scholarship, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a high school senior
• Belong to at least one of the following ethnicities:
  • African-American
  • American Indian/Alaska Native* (proof of tribal enrollment required)
  • Asian & Pacific Islander American
  • Hispanic American
• Pell-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)
• Plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at a US-accredited, not-for-profit, private, or public college or university

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Gates Scholarship should have:

• An outstanding academic record in high school (top 10% of graduating class)
• Demonstrated leadership ability through participation in community service, extracurricular activities, or other initiatives
• Exceptional personal success skills such as emotional maturity, motivation, and perseverance

How to Apply for the Gates Scholarship 2024

Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the Gates Scholarship by visiting the online application portal and completing the application process.