THE GATES SCHOLARSHIP (FUNDED BY THE BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION)
The Gates Scholarship (TGS)
full · bachelors
- 300 scholars/yearAwards each cycle
- Last-dollarFunding model
- Min. GPA 3.3/4.0Academic threshold
- 4-year bachelor'sDegree level
- ~US$30,000+/year (est.)Typical value covered
- U.S. minority seniorsTarget group
At a glance
full
Funding
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Max amount
Sep 15, 2026
Deadline
United States (U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents)
Country
The Gates Scholarship (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
Provider
The Gates Scholarship (TGS), funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is a last-dollar award for minority high school seniors from low-income families in the United States for the 2026/2027 cycle. Each year TGS selects 300 Gates Scholars from a pool of thousands, covering the full cost of attendance not already met by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the FAFSA or the institution's own methodology. The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, transportation, and other personal costs. To qualify, an applicant must be a high school senior, Pell-eligible, a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident, and a member of at least 1 of these groups: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American. Candidates must hold a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and plan to enrol full-time in a four-year degree programme at an accredited, not-for-profit U.S. college or university. The application requires 2 letters of recommendation and 3 essays of 750, 500, and 500 words. Because the award is last-dollar and tied to your verified cost of attendance, confirm the exact current-cycle benefits and deadline on the official Gates Scholarship website before you apply.
What's covered
- Full cost of attendance (last-dollar) — Funding covers the full cost of attendance not already met by other financial aid and the expected family contribution - a value that frequently exceeds ~US$30,000 (est.) per year depending on the institution.
- Tuition and fees — Tuition and mandatory fees at the recipient's accredited, not-for-profit U.S. college or university.
- Room and board — On- or off-campus living costs included within the institution's published cost of attendance.
- Books and supplies — Book and course-material expenses, estimated at around ~US$1,000 (est.) per year, as part of the cost of attendance.
- Transportation and personal costs — Transportation and other personal costs included in the cost of attendance as determined by FAFSA or the institution's methodology.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the myTGS portal on the official Gates Scholarship website.
- Create an account — Create a myTGS account on the official Gates Scholarship website when the application cycle opens (typically July).
- Complete your myTGS profile — Provide details on your background, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and future goals.
- Request recommendations — Obtain two letters of recommendation - one from a teacher or counselor and one from another individual who can attest to your academic ability and leadership potential.
- Write and submit your essays — Respond to three essay prompts - a 750-word Personal Statement, a 500-word Leadership Essay, and a 500-word Gates Impact Essay - then submit the complete application before the deadline.
Eligibility
Grade levelMust be a high school senior at the time of application.
EthnicityMust belong to at least one of: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American. For American Indian/Alaska Native, proof of tribal enrolment is required.
Financial needMust be Pell-eligible (a Federal Pell Grant indicator of financial need).
CitizenshipMust be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
Academic standingMust maintain good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, and plan to enrol full-time in a four-year degree programme at an accredited, not-for-profit U.S. college or university.
Ideal candidates typically rank in the top 10% of their graduating class and demonstrate leadership through community service or extracurricular activities, alongside strong personal qualities such as motivation and perseverance.
Eligible countries
United States (U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents)
Deadlines
2026/2027 cohort~15 September 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applicants are evaluated on academic performance (a minimum 3.3 weighted GPA, with strong candidates often in the top 10% of their class), demonstrated leadership through community service and extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities such as emotional maturity, motivation, and perseverance, conveyed through the three required essays and two recommendations. Finalists may be interviewed before Gates Scholars are selected.
Verified sources
- The Gates Scholarship - Official Websitethegatesscholarship.orgofficial
- The Gates Scholarship - Homethegatesscholarship.orgofficial
About the provider
The Gates Scholarship is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and administered to support minority high school seniors from low-income U.S. families, helping them attend top four-year colleges and universities and reach their full leadership and academic potential.
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.
Is The Gates Scholarship fully funded?
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Yes. It is a last-dollar award covering the full cost of attendance not already met by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, often exceeding US$30,000 per year. Confirm current details on the official page.
How many scholarships are awarded each year?
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Around 300 Gates Scholars are selected each year from a large pool of applicants.
Who is eligible to apply?
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U.S. high school seniors who are Pell-eligible, are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents, belong to an eligible minority group, and have a minimum 3.3 weighted GPA.
What does 'last-dollar' mean?
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It means the scholarship pays the remaining cost of attendance after all other financial aid and the expected family contribution have been applied, rather than a fixed sum.
Which ethnicities qualify?
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African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American. American Indian/Alaska Native applicants must provide proof of tribal enrolment.
What GPA do I need?
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A minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.
What degree level does it cover?
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It supports full-time undergraduate (bachelor's) study in a four-year programme at an accredited, not-for-profit U.S. college or university.
What essays are required?
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Three: a 750-word Personal Statement, a 500-word Leadership Essay, and a 500-word Gates Impact Essay.
How many recommendation letters do I need?
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Two - one from a teacher or counselor and one from another person who can speak to your academic ability and leadership.
When does the application open and close?
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The application typically opens in July, with a deadline expected around September 2026; confirm the exact dates on the official Gates Scholarship website.
Can international students apply?
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No. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.
Is The Gates Scholarship the same as Gates Cambridge?
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No. The Gates Scholarship is a U.S. undergraduate award; Gates Cambridge is a separate postgraduate scholarship at the University of Cambridge in the UK.