What is the The Gates Scholarship?
The The Gates Scholarship is a scholarship worth Full cost of attendance not covered by other aid from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Scholarship is a last-dollar award that covers the full cost of attendance not already met by other financial aid and the Student Aid Index. It is open to Pell-eligible high school seniors who plan to enroll full time in a four-year degree program at an accredited, not-for-profit US college or university. The 2026 application opened on July 15, 2026 and closes September 15, 2026. Because the award is last-dollar and tied to full cost of attendance, its value varies by student and institution rather than being a fixed sum.
Who is eligible for the The Gates Scholarship?
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation requires that applicants be a high school senior, along with 4 further requirements: be Pell-eligible; be a US citizen or permanent resident; be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent); plan to enroll full time in a four-year degree program at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university. 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 The Gates Scholarship?
The deadline is September 15, 2026. Applications submitted after this date are not normally considered.
Do I need a 3.3 GPA for the The Gates Scholarship?
Yes. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sets a minimum GPA of 3.3 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 The Gates Scholarship 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.