The Gates Scholarship

$160,000

September 15, 2023

Awards Available: 300

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  • Scholarship Description
  • The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.
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    To apply, students must be 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 and be Pell-eligible. Must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university. An ideal candidate will have an outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class), demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities) and exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)
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Abdul Kaium  on 1/12/2023 11:09:24 AM

Hello, I'm from Bangladesh and I completed Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in 2020. I want to do my bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from a private University in Bangladesh. But I've financial problem.Can I apply for this scholarship program?

Azariah K  on 8/16/2022 5:42:25 PM

I am Hawaiian. I will be the first of my grandmother's 18 grandkids to graduate from college. That is my mindset. Living on an island with a lifestyle to survive on a "rock" makes me want to strive for more.

Zaria J  on 3/15/2022 9:32:09 AM

I am a high school senior who plans to major in Exercise Science with a focus on occupational therapy. I am excited to learn more about this scholarship opportunity!

Mary T.  on 1/21/2021 11:22:59 AM

I am a senior in high school and my plan is to work towards my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. I'm very excited to learn of this opportunity and I am looking forward to completing the application.

Morgan Koss  on 1/6/2021 10:20:59 AM

My name is Morgan Koss, I just got accepted to Penn State University starting this summer. I’m really excited but need your help finding scholarships that I might qualify for. I know this is going to be challenging financially but I’m always in for a good challenge! Please direct me if you have any advice. Here is my story... In life we all face challenges that shape us as a person. Whether that obstacle is something small like the passing of a test or something more devastating such as losing a loved one. No matter what that challenge is, overcoming it gives you a chance to learn and grow as a person. Personally, I have faced more challenges than most adults face in their lifetime. The things I have had to deal with may not have been easy, though I am grateful that they have shaped me into the person I am today. 2018 was a year that I will never forget. In my community I considered myself one of the lucky ones. I moved to Parkland, Florida going into my fifth grade year and absolutely loved it. My family chose Parkland for the grade A schools and the amazing community. Two years after moving I faced my first real challenge in life, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Being the oldest child of three I knew it was time for me to step up and help support my family. I started working at the art studio my mom opened right before my father got sick, in doing so I had to learn many leadership skills at a very young age. Throughout this rough time my family was fortunate enough to have an amazing community that would do everything they could to ensure that we spent the quality time with my dad we needed. On February 14th, my life changed along with everyone else's in my community. The lives of 17 innocent lives were taken in what is now called “ The Parkland Massacre”. Lucky enough I decided going into my freshman year I would apply to a magnet program on my own at a neighboring school. Although my parents attested this for the main reason th

Catherine Barkley  on 12/13/2020 11:39:26 PM

I am working towards my bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Native American Studies. I will be a first generation graduate and is it extremely important to me that I complete my education goals and apply them to my current employment in Tribal human resources. It is also my goal to inspire my children that even at my age (38), you can still achieve your goals and that it is never too late.

Aviella H  on 11/26/2020 8:19:39 AM

My future goal is to work with criminals in order to better understand them. I want to go into criminal psychology and hopefully be able to narrow down what field of work I want to go into with that degree. I would give back to the community by helping out with whatever field of work I go into. If I went into social service, I would make sure to be there for those kids in ways my own adoptive parents never were for me. College is not cheap, and I have to pay for all my college because my parents have already told me that it's not their job to pay for it. I would be very grateful to get this scholarship, and I would put it to good use.

Latasia M  on 10/27/2020 6:27:32 AM

I pray that all is well. I am a currently a senior in High School and plans to major in Computer Science. This is something I have always had an interest in and it is my passion. Receiving this scholarship would lift some of my financial burdens with the worrying of being able to afford college. I want the opportunity to be able to attend college and receive the best learning experience that I can get out of it. As a little girl, I would always take my portable DVD player apart and put it back together and fix it when it stopped working. I know that I will make a difference in the world majoring in computer science. Not only do I want to make my family proud, I would also want to make you proud for investing your scholarship in me. I will forever be grateful.

Darina Kaninda  on 10/21/2020 8:44:55 PM

My name is Darina and I am an undergraduate student that is majoring in Economics in California. My goal in life is to go to law school and eventually become a prosecutor. I am applying for this scholarship because I really need financial help to be able to help me to go to law school. I am a hardworking student and I would definitely like an opportunity to have an interview with the foundation to better explain the who I am and why I investing in my education would be worth it.

Atharva K  on 10/12/2020 5:28:13 PM

I am thrilled to learn about this opportunity and I am looking forward to completing the application. Thank you!

Marcus Miranda  on 9/30/2020 7:42:16 AM

Hi, I am Marcus. I am a Chemical Engineer from India. I would like to upgrade and sharpen my Engineering skills and knowledge. I've got admission for doing my M.tech in Chemical Engineering in india. But, I'm not in an condition to Financially support my higher education. I'm applying this scholarship as a big support for my higher education.

Cole K  on 9/28/2020 8:00:00 AM

My future career goal is to major in bio-molecular engineering and chemistry. I have a GPA of 3.93 and a job as a medical assistant. I am a captain on my HS football team. Upon graduation from college, I will then go into the field of genome editing and stem cell research, which is my goal for life. I have always been intrigued by genome editing and the ability to improve a patient’s immune system which will advance the quality of life for a human being. Genome editing is the future of medicine and this procedure could allow patients to progress as one race collectively. I want to make a difference in this world with my passion to help humans. With this pandemic, my parents own a small business that has drastically changed my financial support for college. I am dedicated, disciplined and will give 110%. I appreciate Mr. and Mrs. Gates for offering this scholarship.

Jerome Kumbani  on 9/10/2020 7:04:54 AM

I am applying for this opportunity to find scholarship to study for Bacherlor's Degree in Computer and Telecommunication.

Henrietta A  on 8/29/2020 8:32:21 PM

I am applying for this scholarship because i want to go to medical school to put what i learn to use. My biggest passion in this world is to help people especially kids. I love kids and i would want them to be safe and not hurt or sick. Many people are out there going through pain and i want to do my best to help them. I alo want to help those who don't even have money to pay for the medical bills. Yes i know but i don't understand why we can't help those without money. I might not get this scholarship but for the sake of those who need help, please let me prove to you that i am a good candidate for this scholarship. I am very excited to learn of this opportunity and I am looking forward to completing the application. Thank you.

Chisom U  on 8/3/2020 4:35:14 PM

My parents are from Nigeria. I am very proud to call myself, African-American. It is my heritage. My parents are very hard-working people. My mom completed her doctorate degree in pharmacy here in the United States of America. She accomplished that while she worked full-time, and took care of the family. I admired my mom a lot. My dad completed his law degree in Nigeria and is now self employed, although not practicing as a lawyer. I am admitted to John Hopkins University, class of 2024. I did not turn in my FAFSA on time, because I traveled to Nigerian with my parent for the adoption of my siblings. I missed out on the opportunity to be awarded full ride merit Scholarship. When I finally turned in my FAFSA in late February of 2020, my parent's did not qualify, although my mom had lost her job since November 2019 which was not considered in the decision making. I am a GATE student. The grant that I finally received from my schools was not sufficient to cover my tuition. I am a competitive student, graduated with a weighted GPA of 4.4 and a non-weighted GPA of 4.0. I have been involved in some volunteer services, Church, preschool, daycare, and volunteered at the Department of Veteran's Affairs, cared for "him who shall have borne the battle". I am pursuing an undergraduate course in neuroscience as my major, and doing music as my minor. I planned to go to a medical school, to be in the front-line, to care for our nation. I also planned to use music as a tool in helping my patients in their recoveries. I have a strong passion for people. My mom lost her job since November 2019, and my dad's business is badly affected by the COVID-19. With the two children that my parents are adopting, which process they began years ago, and the recent economic situation that my mom's job lost, as well as the effects of COVID-19, I am concerned that my college expenses may pose serious financial burden to my parents. As a member of the 2020 graduating student who shared this pandemic

Sharlovlee glasker  on 7/10/2020 10:39:17 PM

My future career goal is to become a military doctor (army pediatrician) who serve underprivileged communities. To accomplish this, I aim to go to the Xavier University of Louisiana and graduate with a bachelor’s in biochemistry. Next, apply for military medical school at Uniformed Service University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland get in as an active-duty second lieutenant then graduate and promote to a captain with my M.D. And me being a very helpful, hardworking, and intelligent young lady I know this will come true. I came out of high school with a 3.5 GPA and good grades, and even though I had a few bumps in the road when I was in high school. For example, moving to California from Texas and having to adjust to the different educational systems I still push through and worked my hardest to make sure I felt good about my outcome. And my senior was a little discombobulated and messed up (because of coronavirus) and my plans to boost my GPA failed but I have no regrets. An in college, I will work 1000x harder and I will come out on top especially with all the support from my family. In addition to what I was saying I believe if you invest in my college education helping me pay Xavier University of Louisiana tuition and fees, which is about 41,000 a year. Helping me eliminate the financial burden on my family and me. I will be able to achieve my goals and make my dreams come true. And be one more amazing person in my generation to make this world a better place because CHANGE IS NOW, CHANGE IS ME!!! Sincerely and Truly Sharlovlee glasker

Diana P. P.  on 6/29/2020 7:48:21 AM

Hello! My name is Diana and I am applying to the scholarship to hopefully be able to attend college as a first-generation college student. I have recently received great news that I was accepted into an amazing university out of state for a criminal justice major. I want to earn my degree so that after I graduate I can join the Air Force and serve my country and give back to the country that has given my family and I more opportunities and a better life than if we had lived in a different country. My only setback is not having any money to be able to pay for tuition, room and board, textbooks, my plane tickets to be able to go to college, and from college to home for the holidays. I want to go to college to make my family proud, to show my younger brothers that it is very possible to go to college and get a degree even when coming from a pretty low-income family as a Hispanic, and because I want to show my parents that every one of their sacrifices for my siblings and I were not in vain and that I can and will be able to provide and help them out. I have been very involved in my community thanks to my parents because they have always allowed me to get involved in so much and would pick me up after school every time I needed to stay for Marching Band, JROTC, or Police Explorers, and took me to all my community service events no matter how tired they would be from always working so hard for so little in return. I am determined to go to college, graduate, join the world's greatest Air Force, protect, and serve those around me in every possible way if anyone would grant me the opportunity by helping me financially.

Chasity Griffin  on 5/27/2020 7:07:41 PM

I am half Mexican and half white who started out in foster care for the first 22 months of my life. I was adopted by a wonderful family. I have battled failure to thrive, being developmentally delayed, and having ADHD. I grated with a 3.3 GPA. I love our National Parks and plan to be a National Park Ranger. Your scholarship will be a big help in obtaining my goal.

Amberlie R  on 4/8/2020 2:47:18 AM

I am applying for this scholarship in order to finish obtaining my MPH in epidemiology. I'm currently in grad school at THEE Jackson State University 1st year grad student. I have to pay out of pocket just so I will be able to attend school and further my education. Winning this scholarship would help me so much!

Diane P  on 3/13/2020 7:34:50 PM

I am a proud Pacific Islander from GUAM, USA! I am applying for this scholarship because of my passion in the healthcare industry.I come from a small village on the island of Guam and was raised with knowing what poverty is.My motivation towards the healthcare field are my 7 children. I just finished my state GEDin southwest FL, and I want to further my education, to show and be a role model to my children that anything with them is possible! I would greatly appreciate this scholarship to enhance my education in what I love to do!Caring for people gives me great pleasure in knowing I can give back to society!

Marie W  on 3/9/2020 7:24:57 PM

I am applying for this scholarship in order to earn a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to help with our military community as well as the civilian community. While serving as a US Navy Career Counselor for many years, I had the privilege of helping enlisted sailors decide on the direction they wanted to take in their military careers. This was a primary duty that I enjoyed immensely. This profession would be especially beneficial to the military personnel who are suffering from Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder and other mental health concerns that are affecting our youth as well. I am excited about doing more in the community that would affect and help everyone. I look forward to working in a Profession that will touch many.

Robyn K  on 3/6/2020 11:55:56 AM

I am applying for this scholarship to help me go back to school to earn my nursing degree. I want to ultimately get my RN degree and spend time helping out the Indian reservations with health care. That is my passion as I have grown up hearing about my Cherokee roots. We have our linage traced back to the Trail of Tears with the Cherokee Indians. My Great Grandmother was a part of that. We are registered with the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, although not with as much blood as is actually present.

Gionna S  on 1/12/2020 4:43:19 PM

Hello, I am an excellent candidate for your scholarship. I am excited to apply and am looking forward to making an impact on our youth and hopefully your assistance will help me get there.

SANI S  on 1/12/2016 12:19:38 AM

I have reviewed your scholarship award‰description and eligibility requirements, and feel strongly that I would be an excellent candidate for this scholarship

Angela R  on 11/4/2014 9:07:49 PM

I am very excited to learn of this opportunity and I am looking forward to completing the application. Thank you.

Syed P  on 12/23/2012 3:42:26 PM

I think that the Gates Foundation is a great platform for any aspiring student to get a quality education and find a career path. Bill Gates is a truly inspiring figure in the eyes of our youth and he represents the courage and determination of becoming successful.

Dylan S  on 10/8/2011 1:16:30 AM

I've been told this is a very goods scholarship by several people and i support anything Microsoft. (pc, zune, etc)

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