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United States

The Gates Scholarship

Applications closed Bachelor Fully funded
Award On request Confirm the latest award details on the official scholarship page.
Deadline September 15, 2025 Deadline passed
Duration 3 Years How long the scholarship support typically lasts.
Funding type Fully funded Whether the award is fully funded, partial, merit-based, or similar.

About this scholarship

What this award covers and who it is designed to support.

The Gates Scholarship is a highly prestigious, merit-based, and last-dollar award designed to help outstanding, Pell-eligible high school seniors from low-income households in the U.S. realize their full potential. Established in 2017 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it provides comprehensive funding for a full bachelor’s degree at any accredited U.S. college or university. Scholars also benefit from extensive support services, including mentorship, leadership development programming, and career guidance—all aimed at ensuring academic success and career readiness.

Scholarship details

Key facts about level, field, location, and institutions.

Study level

Bachelor

Field of study

Natural Sciences

Host country

United States

Competition

Medium

Opens

July 15, 2025

Eligibility

Who can apply and what academic or personal criteria you need to meet.

The eligibility for this program is as follows:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
  • Current high school senior
  • Pell Grant–eligible (demonstrates financial need)
  • Minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

Plan to enroll full-time in a four-year U.S. accredited public or private, not-for-profit college or university
Appears to include students from minority backgrounds, though the most recent site emphasizes all Pell-eligible seniors without restricted ethnicity; earlier materials focused on minority groups.

Application requirements

Documents and steps typically needed when you submit your application.

The requirements for this program is as follows:

  • Online application via the official site (creating a profile, filling out eligibility and personal information)
  • Submission of high school transcript(s)
  • FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) to verify Pell eligibility and Cost of Attendance

Possibly letters of recommendation, essays, and additional documentation during subsequent selection rounds (application involves multiple phases) 

What is covered

Tuition, living costs, and other expenses included in this award.

Covers the full unmet cost of attendance—this includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, transportation, and other personal costs not already covered by other financial aid or the family contribution as determined by FAFSA or the school’s methodology.