A nationwide search will identify the top high school seniors who qualify for this prestigious scholarship. All eligible students are invited to apply. Students must create a myTGS Profile in order to apply.
\nOnline applications will open on July 15, 2026. The tenth scholarship cohort will be selected in April 2027, with awards disbursed in the fall.
\nTo apply, students must be:
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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.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"What is The Gates Scholarship?","answer":"The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding 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.
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Selected Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance to earn a bachelor’s degree, that is not already covered by other financial aid and the Student Aid Index, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. Costs covered include tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and transportation, and may include additional personal costs.
TGS also provides Scholars with various online support services designed to help them excel in their degree programs, graduate, and make a successful transition to their chosen careers. These include career services, mentoring, leadership development, wellness, and knowledge building.
The myTGS Profile is your portal for everything related to The Gates Scholarship. This includes the application, and – if selected as a Scholar – all associated support services, such as mentoring; academic support; career and internship guidance, advice, and opportunities; financial literacy; and more, for the life of the scholarship.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"What is Pell-eligibility?","answer":"Pell-eligibility is calculated by the U.S. Department of Education after a student submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is based on the Student Aid Index, status as a full-time student, and the student’s academic plans. The household income of Pell-eligible students varies. In recent years, 99% of Pell-eligible students came from households with incomes of $80,000 or less per year.
For more information regarding Pell-eligibility, visit The Federal Student Aid Estimator by clicking here.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"When was the program launched?","answer":"The first applications for The Gates Scholarship opened in July of 2017. The first scholarships were awarded in April 2018.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"At what grade level are students eligible to apply? Must they be high school seniors?","answer":"The application is only open to high school seniors (i.e., class of 2027).
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Does a student need a myTGS Profile to apply for the scholarship?","answer":"Yes. In order to apply, a student must first create a myTGS Profile, which will serve as his/her personal portal to all The Gates Scholarship resources, for the life of the scholarship. Prior to the application open date, students can complete their myTGS Profile, but will not have access to The Gates Scholarship application.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"What is the duration of the program?","answer":"Having launched in 2017, the scholarship is being awarded to exceptional student leaders each year, over the life of the grant, with the intent of helping outstanding students who come from low-income backgrounds realize their maximum potential. Each awarded student will be funded for a maximum of five (5) years to complete a bachelor's degree. Online applications will open every summer, through 2026.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"I completed and passed a General Education Development (GED) test. Am I eligible for The Gates Scholarship?","answer":"No. Students who have a GED diploma instead of a high school diploma are not eligible to apply for The Gates Scholarship.
\nAlthough we are unable to assist you, we hope the following websites may be helpful: College Board Scholarship Search and Appily.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Who is the ideal candidate for The Gates Scholarship?","answer":"An ideal candidate will demonstrate:
\nYes. There are no restrictions on major or fields of study. The program funds the completion of a bachelor’s degree in the Scholar’s choice of major.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Where will interviews be held?","answer":"The Gates Scholarship will facilitate in-person interviews with Finalists. Virtual interviews will be arranged when interviewers are not within a reasonable distance of Finalists.
\nStudents are responsible for their transportation costs to attend an interview.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"What will students receive?","answer":"Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other scholarships and the Student Aid Index, as determined by FAFSA, or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.
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*Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs.
The provision of demographic data (race/ethnicity) is optional. It is collected for information purposes only, kept separate from other application materials, and will not be used to influence or guide decision-making regarding individual applications.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Are there restrictions on the institutions a student can attend?","answer":"Yes. A student must attend a US accredited, four-year, not-for-profit, private or public college or university. The institution must be based in the United States or a US territory.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"How long will a student be funded toward his/her completion of a bachelor’s degree?","answer":"Funding will be for a maximum of five (5) years of study, with the expectation that s/he will complete a bachelor’s degree during that period.
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However, should the need arise, a student may seek approval to defer the next period of study, for up to one year. No scholarship funds would be disbursed to the student for that period.
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We encourage students on deferment to work with The Gates Scholarship Scholar Advocacy Team, and to utilize on-campus academic support services, to remain engaged and to help facilitate re-enrollment and graduation.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Does the scholarship allow a student to enroll in an associate degree program at a community college, and then transfer to a four-year institution?","answer":"No. The Gates Scholarship is only awarded to high school seniors who matriculate in a four-year program, directly after graduating from high school, without interruption.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Does the program provide funding for graduate school?","answer":"No. The program does not provide funding for graduate school.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Is a student eligible for The Gates Scholarship if s/he is enrolled, full-time, in a four-year program at a community college?","answer":"Yes. However, the student must show evidence that s/he will enroll full-time as a freshman, in a four-year, bachelor’s degree program at a community college.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"How will The Gates Scholarship funds be disbursed?","answer":"Funding from The Gates Scholarship will be disbursed directly to Scholars' colleges/universities. The program will not disburse funds directly to students or non-university third party vendors.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Does a Scholar qualify for funding if s/he plans to attend an accredited, not-for-profit, private or public university in Puerto Rico?","answer":"Yes. Students can attend a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public university in Puerto Rico.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Can I use the scholarship funds to pay for off-campus housing?","answer":"Yes. Funding for off-campus housing will depend on what the Scholar's institution discloses in the cost of attendance. We recommend that you contact your financial aid counselor to discuss educational expenses (including housing) and your full cost of attending that institution.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"If I am selected as a Scholar and need to take a year off from school, would that affect my scholarship funding?","answer":"Scholarship recipients will receive funding for a maximum of five years of study, with the expectation that s/he will complete a bachelor’s degree during that period.
\nHowever, should the need arise, a student may seek approval to defer the next period of study for up to one year. No scholarship funds would be disbursed to the student for that period.
\nWe encourage students on deferment to work with The Gates Scholarship Scholar Advocacy Team, and to utilize on-campus academic support services, to remain engaged and to help facilitate re-enrollment and graduation.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Can The Gates Scholarship funds be used for study abroad opportunities?","answer":"Yes, but The Gates Scholarship funds can only be applied to such costs if:
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To qualify, you must submit an Enrollment Verification form from your US accredited home university. Enrollment Verifications from institutions abroad will not be accepted.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"What will I need to do to remain eligible for The Gates Scholarship funding throughout my college tenure?","answer":"To remain eligible, you must submit:
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Additionally, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress towards bachelor's degree attainment.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Will I be liable for taxes on the scholarship?","answer":"A portion of each scholarship award may be considered taxable by the US Internal Revenue Service. Scholarship recipients are responsible for ascertaining tax liability for the scholarship, and for reporting the taxable portions of their scholarship as income. For details, please visit the IRS website and read through Topic 421.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"In addition to financial support, are there other benefits to being a Gates Scholar?","answer":"Yes. In addition to funding, The Gates Scholarship also provides Scholars with various online support services designed to help them excel in their degree programs, graduate, and make a successful transition to their chosen careers. These include career services, mentoring, leadership development, wellness, and knowledge building.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Does The Gates Scholarship release my information to third parties?","answer":"The Gates Scholarship does not disclose confidential information about our Scholars to third parties, including parents, unless previously authorized by the Scholar.
"}},{"translation":{"question":"Does The Gates Scholarship offer other scholarships?","answer":"The Gates Scholarship does not offer other scholarships. However we encourage you to visit the following websites for additional scholarship resources:
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