- Over USD 200,000 valueFour-year award value
- ~40 partner collegesParticipating institutions
- 4-year full coverageDuration
- No loans, no parental contributionFinancial model
- US high school seniorsWho can apply
- United StatesWhere you study
At a glance
full
Funding
€185k
Max amount
Sep 26, 2026
Deadline
United States (citizens, permanent residents, or students studying in the US)
Country
QuestBridge
Provider
QuestBridge connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with full four-year scholarships through its National College Match programme in the United States. QuestBridge partners with around 40 colleges and universities, including institutions such as Stanford, Yale, Brown, Amherst and the University of Chicago, and a matched scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, valued at over USD 200,000 across the 4-year degree. The award covers tuition, accommodation, travel and required academic materials, with no expected parental financial contribution and no student loans, though recipients may contribute through work-study or personal savings. Applicants are typically US high school seniors who earn mostly A's in demanding courses, rank in the top 5-10% of their class and post test results around SAT/PSAT above 1310 or ACT above 28, though each application is read in context. The application includes essays, 2 teacher recommendations and a counsellor report. Students who match are committed to attend their matched partner college. Because partner lists, deadlines and award details change each cycle, confirm the current figures and the application deadline on the official QuestBridge website before applying.
What's covered
- Full cost of attendance — A matched scholarship covers the entire cost of college, valued at over ~USD 200,000 (est.) across the four-year degree at a partner institution.
- Tuition fees — Full tuition at the matched partner college for all 4 years of the undergraduate degree.
- Accommodation and meals — Room and board are covered so matched students can live on campus without housing costs.
- Travel and materials — Coverage of travel costs and essential academic materials needed for study.
- No parental contribution or loans — No financial contribution is required from parents and no student loans are part of the package, though work-study or personal savings may apply.
- Four-year commitment — The award is a binding four-year scholarship secured when a student matches with a partner college.
How to apply
Applicants complete the National College Match online application, including essays, and submit recommendations and a counsellor report before ranking partner colleges.
- Complete the online application — Fill out the National College Match online application, including essays and short-answer responses, by the deadline.
- Secure recommendations — Obtain 2 recommendations from core academic subject teachers and a High School Counsellor Report.
- Submit academic records — Provide an official high school transcript and, where applicable, SAT or ACT scores, plus an optional school profile.
- Rank partner colleges — After becoming a finalist, rank up to 12 partner colleges in order of preference during the ranking window.
- Receive your match — Matched students secure a binding full four-year scholarship at one of their ranked partner colleges.
Eligibility
NationalityUS citizens, permanent residents, or high school students studying in the US regardless of citizenship may apply.
Academic excellencePrimarily A's in challenging courses, class rank typically in the top 5-10%, and standardised scores around SAT/PSAT above 1310 or ACT above 28.
Language proficiencyApplicants must be proficient in English to handle a US undergraduate curriculum.
Personal qualitiesStrong writing skills, intellectual curiosity and determination demonstrated through essays and recommendation letters.
Contextual reviewEach application is evaluated in the context of the applicant's circumstances rather than against rigid cut-offs alone.
Applicants who are not selected as finalists, or who do not match, can reapply through QuestBridge Regular Decision without paying application fees.
Eligible countries
United States (citizens, permanent residents, or students studying in the US)
Deadlines
National College Match 2026/2027~26 September 2026 (est.)
Regular Decision (non-matched)~January 2027 (est.)
Selection
QuestBridge reviews each application holistically, weighing academic excellence, the rigour of courses taken, essays, recommendations and the applicant's context and determination. Finalists rank up to 12 partner colleges, and partner colleges then select students to match, securing a full four-year scholarship. Students who are not matched can reapply through QuestBridge Regular Decision without application fees.
Verified sources
- QuestBridge - official websitequestbridge.orgofficial
- National College Match - QuestBridgequestbridge.orgofficial
About the provider
QuestBridge is a US national non-profit that links high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading colleges and universities. Through its National College Match it helps students earn full four-year scholarships and access support before and during their undergraduate studies.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the QuestBridge National College Match?
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It is a programme that connects high-achieving low-income US students with full four-year scholarships at around 40 partner colleges.
How much is the scholarship worth?
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A matched scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, valued at over USD 200,000 across the four-year degree.
How many partner colleges are there?
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QuestBridge partners with around 40 colleges and universities, including institutions such as Stanford, Yale and the University of Chicago.
What does the scholarship cover?
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Tuition, accommodation, travel and essential academic materials, with no required parental contribution and no student loans.
Who can apply?
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US high school seniors who are citizens, permanent residents, or students studying in the US, from low-income backgrounds.
What academic profile is expected?
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Primarily A's in challenging courses, a top 5-10% class rank, and scores around SAT/PSAT above 1310 or ACT above 28, read in context.
Do I have to pay anything back?
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No. There are no student loans, though recipients may contribute through work-study programmes or personal savings.
What documents do I need?
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The online application with essays, 2 teacher recommendations, a counsellor report, an official transcript and SAT/ACT scores.
How does the matching work?
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Finalists rank up to 12 partner colleges, and partner colleges select students to match for a binding four-year scholarship.
Is the match binding?
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Yes. If you match with a partner college, you commit to attend that college for your full four-year scholarship.
What if I do not match?
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You can reapply through QuestBridge Regular Decision without paying application fees.
Where can I confirm current dates and partners?
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On the official QuestBridge website, which publishes the current partner list, award details and application deadline.