Overview

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the United Negro College Fund, provides scholarships and fellowships for outstanding low-income African-American, Native American, Hispanic American, and Asian-Pacific American students to attend the undergraduate and graduate institutions of their choice. 

Eligibility

Applicants for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program must:

• be a citizen of the United States;
• have a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale; and,
• be a college student planning to continue undergraduate study; or a college senior or college graduate enrolled or about to enroll in graduate school. Graduate students must be enrolled in a degree program in engineering, mathematics, science, education or library science.

Criteria

Students will be judged on their overall academic performance; academic performance in mathematics, science, and education; involvement in community service; volunteer activities; participation in leadership activities; career goals; and severity of financial need.

Application Process

Undergraduate Students:

College presidents, professors, and deans will be invited to nominate students currently enrolled in college who will continue undergraduate study next academic year. Students are encouraged to solicit these nominations well in advance of the application deadline.  

Graduate Students:

College presidents, professors, and deans will be invited to nominate students planning to enroll next year or already enrolled in graduate school in engineering, mathematics, science, education or library science. Students are encouraged to solicit these nominations well in advance of the application deadline.

Application Materials:

Application materials are available on the Gates Millennium Scholars Program web site by the beginning of December each year. An application form must be submitted with the nomination letter and other supporting materials. Applicants will also be required to submit a high school and/or college transcript, a personal statement, a family financial profile, and letters of recommendation, in addition to the nominating letter. All materials must be submitted directly to the the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.

Notification of Awards:

Scholars will be notified of their awards in May and requested to provide the Program staff notice of their admission and financial aid package awards. Program staff will then coordinate with the institutions’ financial aid offices to identify and address the students’ unmet financial need. The Program will replace loans and leave in place Pell Grants, State Equal Opportunity Grants, federal campus-based grants, work-study funds, institutional scholarships, and expected parental contributions.

Award Value and Conditions

Undergraduate Scholars:

Individuals selected as Gates Millennium Scholars at the undergraduate level will receive funds for the cost of tuition, fees, books and living costs not covered by grants and scholarships already committed as part of a student’s financial aid package. This is responsive to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program goal of eliminating the need for participating Scholars to supplement financial aid packages with loans.

Scholars must undertake a full-time program of undergraduate study. The basic scholarship is unrestricted in terms of major or area of study; however, nominators will be asked to consider the students’ academic performance in mathematics and science.

Scholarships will be offered for every year through the completion of the Scholars’ undergraduate study. Scholarships will be renewable annually and Scholars will be expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Graduate Scholars:

Scholars who pursue advanced degrees in the fields of engineering, mathematics, science, education or library science will receive up to four years of full financial support for post-graduate study, up to and including the doctorate. Awardees must undertake a full-time program of graduate study.

Scholars will each be offered stipends depending on unmet financial need. Extensions may be granted for one year or more based upon verification of progress toward the advanced degree by the Scholar’s academic advisor.

Further information about the the Gates Millennium Scholars Program can be found at the Gates Millennium Scholars Program web site.