Gates Millenium Scholarships -

funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The Millenium Scholarships offer funding for tuition to outstanding and gifted low income minority students.

Gates Millenium Scholars program

This is a $1 billion initiative, which is currently the largest private scholarship initiative worldwide.

In July 2006, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided an additional $58 million to expand the program, to allow students to pursue degrees in public health.

To date, the program has helped more than 10,000 academically able student of African American, Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander, Alaskan Native and American Indian origins and low income backgrounds to study as undergraduates in the fields of education, science, maths, engineering, library science and public health.

Students are required to demonstrate:-

• academic excellence
• community service
• strong leadership skills

Requirements include:-

• attainment of a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
• a first-time college or university student
• meets Federal Pell Grant criteria
• US Citizenship or permanent residency

You are also required to complete three forms:-

• nominee personal information form
• nominator form
• recommender form

Application forms must be completed by the deadline in January.

How many & how much?

Each year 1000 scholarships are awarded to academically gifted students.

The amount of the award varies as it was was developed to cover the “self-help” portion of the student's financial aid award, therefore, the amount is tailored to the needs of each, individual student. (“Self-help” is defined as loans and work-study awards.)

In 2006, the average award was more than $7000 per year for undergraduates and around $15,000 per year for graduate students.

What about you ?

If you're bright and qualify as a minority student - this could be a good program to apply to.

You'll need to be able to demonstrate some community involvement and leadership skills - as these are what will set you apart from other applicants.

Recommended Resources

Grants for Any Purpose - resource to help you locate grants any requirement.

Photo courtesy of Kees de Vos