The Gates Scholarship - STEM

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Amount: $5,000
Deadline: September 15
Level: undergraduate
Renewable: Yes

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About

A highly selective scholarship program for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income backgrounds. Provides a full ride to any accredited four-year institution, covering tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation.

Eligibility

  • Citizenship: US
  • GPA: 3.3+
  • Demographic: minority, first-gen
  • High school senior from a low-income background
  • Pell-eligible
  • Demonstrates leadership potential
  • Pursuing a bachelor's degree

Required Materials

  • Online application
  • Academic transcripts
  • Essays
  • 2 recommendation letters
  • FAFSA/SAR

Timeline

Applications open in July and close in September. Finalists notified in February. Winners notified in April.

Tips

Emphasize your leadership, community service, and resilience in overcoming challenges. Your essays should be compelling and reflect your unique background and aspirations, particularly in STEM fields like computer science.