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Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Gates Scholarship

A last-dollar award covering the full cost of attendance not met by other financial aid, for 300 exceptional minority high-school seniors each year — including those headed to HBCUs.

Award

Full cost of attendance

Deadline

September 15, 2026

Level

Undergraduate

Status

22 days left

All majorsRenewable award

Who is eligible

  • High-school senior from a minority background
  • Pell-eligible
  • Minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA
  • Plans to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college

What you'll need

  • Eight short-answer responses
  • Transcript and class rank
  • Recommender contact information
  • FAFSA and SAR

How to apply

  • Apply through the Gates Scholarship online portal in the fall of senior year
  • Complete all short-answer prompts
  • Submit financial documentation if selected as a semifinalist

Sources & verification

How this listing was added:
Reviewed by hand from the provider's official page
Last checked:

Deadlines and amounts change. Always verify details with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation before submitting.

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