08/28/2026
ATTENTION:
The Gates Scholarship needs your help in identifying America’s top students who may be eligible for this prestigious award. Please read the following information and forward The Gates Scholarship Fact Sheet to any students in your network who may qualify.
Additionally, we encourage you to share this opportunity via social media using the following post: 2026 The Gates Scholarship Social Media Post.
About The Gates Scholarship
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.
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, books, housing and food, 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.
Eligibility requirements to apply, students must be:
A high school senior
Pell-eligible
A US citizen or permanent resident
In a 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 also 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)
Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)
Application deadline: Phase I of the application opened Wednesday, July 15, with a submission deadline of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 2:00 PM PT.
For additional information, please visit our website.
Thank you in advance for helping us identify exceptional candidates!
Best,
The Gates Scholarship Team
