Gates Scholarships are awarded annually to students who demonstrate financial need and academic promise. The application deadline is November 15th each year.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was founded in 2000 and has since become one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world. Its mission is to improve the quality of life around the globe by supporting programs focused on global health, economic development, environmental conservation, and basic research.
The Gates Foundation awards $50,000 in scholarships to high school seniors who plan to attend college next fall.
Applicants must submit their applications by Nov. 15 each year.
To apply, students must write a personal statement describing why they want to study abroad and what they hope to gain from studying overseas. They then submit a portfolio of academic achievements and experiences, along with two letters of recommendation.
Eligibility
The Gates Foundation has set out strict eligibility requirements for its scholarships. Applicants must be under 35 years old, enrolled at least half-time in college, and living in the US. They must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and a minimum SAT score of 1250 (or equivalent).
To apply, you must meet certain academic requirements and submit a short essay describing why you want to study abroad. If you’re accepted, you’ll receive $30,000 per year for four years to cover tuition costs and living expenses.
Eligibility Details
The Gates Foundation has set aside $100 million to fund projects that will improve global health by using information technologies to reduce child mortality and increase access to quality healthcare. To qualify for funding, applicants must demonstrate they are working on one of these areas.
Scholarship Benefits
The Gates Scholarship provides up to $30,000 per academic year to help support your education. You can use this money toward any accredited post-secondary institution in the United States.
- Tuition fee waiver program
- Accommodation costs
- Boarding expenses
- Textbook expenses
- Transportation costs would be covered.
You’ll receive an award letter upon acceptance into the program.
Candidate Qualifications
- A high school senior who wants to go to college
- At least one of these ethnicities: African-Americans, American Indian /Alaska Natives, Asian & Pacific Islander American and Hispanics
- Pell-eligible
- A US citizen, a national, or a permanent resident
- With a minimum cumulative weighted GPA score of 3.3 out of 4.0 (or equivalent), you’re in good academic standing.
- A student must plan to enroll in a full-time, four-year degree program at an accredited, not-for-profit, private, or public college/university.
Application Process
The application process is fairly straightforward. You’ll first need to apply online. After that, you’ll receive an email with instructions on where to send your documents. If you meet all requirements, you’ll then be invited to submit a video interview.
How do I apply for the Gates Scholarship?
The Gates Foundation offers two scholarships every year: one for students from developing countries (the Global Health Scholarships) and another for students from developed countries (the International Health Scholarships). Both awards include tuition, living expenses, a stipend, and travel costs. In addition, the Global Health Scholarships offer a $50,000 award for graduate study at any institution.
Who should apply?
To apply for The Gates Scholarship, please follow these instructions.
- Apply online at https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship
- A candidate is supposed to gather the following information :
- SAT or ACT scores
- Transcripts from academic institutions
- Cumulative Grade Point Average
- Family financial information
- Extracurricular activities & leadership ability
- A letter of recommendation
After gathering the information from the applicant, he/she is supposed to sign up for the TGS profile and begin the Gates Scholarship application process. He/she must then submit the application with accurate personal information.
How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship
Application Steps for the Gates Foundation Scholarship
The application process is fairly straightforward. You’ll first need to fill out an online application form which includes information about yourself, your academic background, your career goals, and any extracurricular activities you may have participated in. After submitting this form, you’ll then need to submit three letters of recommendation from people who know you well. These recommendations should include teachers, coaches, professors, mentors, friends, family members, and others who can speak to your character and leadership skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Gates Scholarship is an award program for U.S. students who want to study abroad. This year, the application process will start in July each year. Students must apply before the deadline of November 15 / Each Year
Tuition and fees include room and board, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, health insurance premiums, work-study contributions, study abroad, computer, co-op, and internship programs, summer courses at the institution, and summer course tuition.
To apply, you must be a current high school senior African American, American Indian/Alaskan Native*, Asian and Pacific Islander American, Hispanic American, Pell-eligible (if you’re not sure, check out the FAFSA4caster to see if you qualify), a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident in good academic standing.
Students should take the SAT or ACT if they haven’t done so yet. If they took them before, they should report their scores. However, students won’t lose out because they didn’t submit scores.
A Gates scholarship award provides full funding for an undergraduate degree. The money is fully renewable for up to five years and covers tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and travel expenses. In addition to financial aid, the Gates Scholarship also offers mentoring, career counseling, networking opportunities, and more. Pretty great deal, huh? By the way, the cost of college includes tuition, fees, books, room and board, and transportation. Other costs may be included as well. That’s a huge win!
