The Gates Scholarship
A highly selective, full-ride scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. The program explicitly covers unmet needs including books, fees, and technology.
What It Provides
- Full tuition and fees not already covered by other financial aid
- Coverage for room and board
- Funding for books, transportation, and personal costs (which explicitly includes a computer/laptop)
Eligibility
A high school senior from at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American.
Must be Pell-eligible, a US citizen or permanent resident, and have a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
How to Apply
- Visit thegatesscholarship.org to begin Phase I of the application (typically July to September).
- Submit questionnaires, transcripts, and financial documentation.
- If selected as a semifinalist, proceed to Phase II (essays, recommendations).
- Finalists are interviewed in March.
- Awardees are announced in April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I just get a free laptop from The Gates Scholarship?
No, they don't mail you a physical laptop. Instead, they calculate your total cost of attendance (which includes an allowance for a personal computer/laptop) and provide the financial funding required to cover it. You use those funds to purchase the device.