The Dell Scholars program is a scholarship and college completion program that nurtures and empowers students on their path to a college degree. Since starting the program in 2004, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has supported 5,000 scholars, including more than 2,000 college graduates. The scholarship is designed to be flexible so that scholars can use the award money for any of the many costs that arise during their college career.
Scholarship Details
- The award winner will receive a $20,000 scholarship, which is flexible to align with various academic and college-based costs. These can include tuition, fees, loan repayment, study abroad, and internship stipends.
- Built into the program are a range of services tailored to address your academic, financial, and personal challenges.
- Each scholar receives a state-of-the-art laptop, along with a generous four-year warranty to support their coursework.
- Chegg credits an amount of $500 annually for four years to help the winning scholar purchase textbooks and other educational materials.
- Scholars Resource Network: Resource connections for scholars and their families to address stress, debt, and other life circumstances.
- In a bid to foster a stress-free academic environment, the winner will have access to a teletherapy service and other resources to cope with stress, debt, and other circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Dell Scholars Program recognizes the value of pre-college preparation and requires students to be part of an approved college readiness initiative in grades 11 and 12.
- Dell expects candidates to be poised to enter college upon graduation from an accredited high school.
- In line with its philanthropic vision, the Dell Scholars Program awards opportunities to low-income students who require financial assistance.
- Applicants must qualify for a federal Pell Grant in their first year of college.
- Dell Scholars are expected to enroll full-time in a bachelor's degree program at UT Austin immediately after high school graduation.
- A GPA of at least 2.4 is required to qualify, though students outside this range are encouraged to apply if they demonstrate grit, ambition, and potential as they pursue a college education.
Application Process
- Start by completing the online application - this is the foundational step. Pay attention to each question and be sincere in your responses. If your application makes it through, you'll be notified of your semifinalist status in mid-December.
- Semifinalists are then required to submit their high school transcripts, Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA, and an online recommendation. The initial round of materials is due in January, but the FAFSA must be submitted every year in which the student receives program funds.
- After the submission, an independent committee reviews all material for the final selection.
- Award recipients will be notified of their initial financial aid package in March.
Who Should Apply?
The ideal candidate for the Dell Scholars Program is a high school student who is dedicated to pursuing a college education, demonstrates financial need, and is actively engaged in a recognized college readiness program during grades 11 and 12. Students should demonstrate grit, ambition, and potential as they work toward a college degree.