What is the Dell Scholars Program?
The Dell Scholars Program is a scholarship worth $20,000 from Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The Dell Scholars Program provides a $20,000 flexible scholarship that covers tuition and housing, plus a laptop, book credits, and access to emergency funds. It is aimed at students who have overcome significant obstacles, and its 2.4 GPA floor is deliberately lower than most national awards because the program weighs determination and grit alongside grades. Applicants must be Pell Grant eligible high school seniors participating in an approved college readiness program. The application window runs from December 15 to February 15.
Who is eligible for the Dell Scholars Program?
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation requires that applicants be a high school senior participating in an approved college readiness program, along with 3 further requirements: plan to enroll full time at an accredited four-year college or university directly after high school; have at least a 2.4 GPA; be Pell Grant eligible. The sponsor sets no race or ethnicity requirement, so Black students are eligible alongside everyone else who meets the criteria. It is listed here because it is a significant award that Black, HBCU, and first-generation students frequently win.
What is the deadline for the Dell Scholars Program?
This award does not have a fixed published deadline. Its usual cycle is: Annually, February 15 (applications open December 15). The application window published by the program opens December 15 and closes February 15.
Do I need a 2.4 GPA for the Dell Scholars Program?
Yes. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation sets a minimum GPA of 2.4 for this award. Applicants below that threshold are not eligible, though many other scholarships in our catalog publish lower minimums or none at all.
Is the Dell Scholars Program only for Black students?
No. The sponsor sets no race or ethnicity requirement, so Black students are eligible alongside everyone else who meets the criteria. It is listed here because it is a significant award that Black, HBCU, and first-generation students frequently win. We verified this against the sponsor's published criteria on August 13, 2026.