The Gates Millennium Scholars

Description: The increasing diversity of our society reminds us that all of America's citizens must have access to higher education if our nation is to sustain and advance itself as a global, competitive democracy in the new millennium. The future of our economy and quality of life depend upon the preparation of a diverse cadre of leaders who can help build a stronger society. These potential leaders, especially those drawn from groups that have traditionally and historically been denied access to higher education, require the necessary support and opportunities to earn and complete a college education.

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS), funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding, low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American*, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. Continuing Gates Millennium Scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence by providing thousands of outstanding students, who have significant financial need, the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Academic Level:

• Bachelors
• Doctorate
• Masters

Field(s) of Study:

Criteria: Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they:

* Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian Pacific Islander American** or Hispanic American
* Are a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States
* Have attained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or have earned a GED
* Will be enrolling for the first time at a U.S. accredited***college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student in the fall 2009
* Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities
* Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria
* Have completed and submitted all three required forms (Nominee Personal Information form, Nominator form, and Recommender form) by the deadline

Includes: The GMS program offers leadership development programs with distinctive personal, academic and professional growth opportunities including mentoring services and an online resource center that provides up-to-date information on internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities, as well as graduate and post-graduate resources and conferences.