Gates Scholarship 2024 is open to all eligible students. Every year, they award these scholarships to exceptional students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities and the world.
Overview of Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship was launched in 2017 as an expansion of the Gates Millennium Scholars program, which was established in 1999. The program seeks to support talented, low-income minority students in their pursuit of higher education.
Using the Gates Millennium Scholars program, the Gates Foundation invested over $1.6 billion in scholarships, mentoring, and support services to help thousands of students achieve their educational goals.
The Gates Scholarships continue this legacy of empowering outstanding students to unlock their full potential.
Benefits of Gates Scholarships
Gates Scholars receive numerous benefits that sustain their educational journey and personal development.
Scholars will obtain funding for the full cost of attendance that 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, do not already cover.
The cost of attendance comprises the following:
- Tuition,
- Fees,
- Room expenses,
- Board expenses,
- Books, and
- Transportation expenses
Note that the cost of attendance may include other personal expenses as well.
Eligibility Criteria
Following is the list of eligibility criteria, students must meet to apply for the Gates Scholarship:
- The students must be a high school senior,
- From at least one of these ethnicities:
- African-American,
- American Indian/Alaska Native*,
- Asian & Pacific Islander American,
- and/or Hispanic American
- Pell-eligible
- Must be a US citizen, national, or permanent inhabitant
- In good academic standing with the lowest cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent),
Additionally, students must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US-accredited, not-for-profit, private, or public college or university.
Note that proof of tribal enrollment is required for students of American Indian/Alaska Native ethnicities.
Ideal Candidate
Following are the requirements from an Ideal candidate eligible for Gates Scholarships:
- Must have an exceptional academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class)
- Should display leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurriculars, or other activities)
- Must have excellent personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)
Gates Scholarship Application Timeline
Following is the application timeline for Gates Scholarships:
- The opening date of Gates Scholarship application is July 15, 2024.
- The deadline to apply for Gates Scholarship is September 15, 2024.
- After the scholarship applications are examined, semifinalists are contacted in the month of December 2024 – January 2025.
- The finalists’ interviews take place in March 2025 and scholars are selected in the month of April 2025.
- Scholars will be awarded with Gates Scholarships in July 2025 – September 2025, in time for the fall semester.
How to Apply
All interested and qualified candidates can apply for the Gates Scholarship by visiting the online application portal.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The federal government delivers financial aid to college students in the form of grants, work-study jobs, and/or student loans.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Unlocks on October 1st of every year.
This Student Aid is administered by the Office of Federal Student Aid. So, concluding this form is critical!
- It is the only mode of qualifying for federal financial assistance of any type,
- You must present it, in order to apply for The Gates Scholarship!
To apply for FAFSA, visit the fafsa.gov website.