The Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship that covers a recipient's full unmet cost of attendance — tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation — for up to five undergraduate years at any U.S. accredited, not-for-profit college the student is admitted to. Roughly 300 scholars are selected annually. Applicants must be a high school senior, Pell-eligible, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and hold a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3. The phased application (myTGS Profile) requires essays and a school-official nomination at the semifinalist stage; this is the 10th scholarship cohort (2026-27 cycle), currently open.

Eligibility

DemographicsMust be a high school senior, Pell-eligible, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, planning to enroll full-time in a 4-year degree program. Race/ethnicity data on the application is optional and is not used to influence selection decisions — there is no race/ethnicity eligibility requirement.

Applying

Last-dollar scholarship covering full unmet cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and possibly other personal costs) not already covered by other aid or the Student Aid Index, for up to 5 years to complete a bachelor's degree; not limited to STEM or pre-med fields. Total value varies by school and the student's other aid — no fixed dollar figure is published.