Gates Millennium Scholars Program

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program is an academic scholarship award and program available to high-achieving American students for higher education. Established in 1999 and funded by Microsoft founder Bill Gates through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the scholarship is considered one of the nation's most prestigious awards. Gates Millennium Scholars are provided with a full financial scholarship to attend any U.S. college or university of their choice, and are provided with leadership development opportunities, mentoring, as well as academic, financial and social support.[1]

Background

The Gates Millennium Scholarship was started in 1999 as a result of a $1 billion grant from Microsoft founder Bill Gates. The program is administered by the United Negro College Fund and partner organizations including the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, and the American Indian Graduate Center. Since its inception, the scholarship has paid for more than 20,000 students to attend colleges and universities, and has awarded more than $614 million for education costs including tuition, fees, books and housing.[1]

Selection

To qualify for the scholarship award, applicants must have a 3.3 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale, possess outstanding leadership abilities, demonstrate significant financial need, plan to enroll for the first time at an accredited U.S. college or university. Additionally, applicants must be a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States, and be of African American,[2] American Indian/Alaska Native,[3] Asian Pacific Islander American[4] or Hispanic American heritage.[5][6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Three Prince George's County graduates are Gates Millennium Scholars". Washington Post. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "Gates Millennium Scholars Program 2015". scholarships.uncf.org. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  3. ↑ "American Indian College Fund | Native American Scholarships". American Indian College Fund | Native American Scholarships. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  4. ↑ "APIASF: Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund. Today's Minds, Tomorrow's Future®". www.apiasf.org. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  5. ↑ "The Gates Millennium Scholarship | HSF". hsf.net. Retrieved 2016-11-30.
  6. ↑ "::. The Gates Millennium Scholars .::". Gmsp.org. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
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