The Gates Scholarship (TGS) 2026 – Fully Funded Undergraduate Study in the USA

 Minority High School Seniors | 300 Students Yearly | Deadline: September 15, 2025

Host Country: United States of America
Study Level: Undergraduate (First-time college students)
Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Eligible Nationalities: U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents
Total Awardees: 300 students annually

What is The Gates Scholarship (TGS)?

The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly competitive, last-dollar, fully-funded scholarship created by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It supports exceptional minority high school seniors from low-income backgrounds in the U.S., helping them pursue full-time, four-year degrees at accredited U.S. colleges and universities.

Launched in 2017, TGS aims to eliminate financial barriers and empower future leaders from historically underrepresented communities.

Scholarship Benefits

This is a last-dollar scholarship, meaning it covers all remaining costs after other aid (e.g., Pell Grants, school-based aid) has been applied:

Full Tuition
Room & Board
Books & Academic Materials
Transportation
Personal Expenses (as applicable)

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must:

Be a high school senior at the time of application
Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
Plan to enroll full-time in a U.S. accredited, not-for-profit, public or private four-year college or university
Have a minimum GPA of 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale)
Belong to at least one of the following ethnic groups:

• African American
  
  

• American Indian/Alaska Native*
  
  

• Asian & Pacific Islander American
  
  

• Hispanic American
  
  

American Indian/Alaska Native applicants must provide proof of tribal enrollment.

What Makes an Ideal Candidate?

The ideal Gates Scholar is:

In the top 10% of their high school graduating class
A proven leader in school or community activities
Resilient, motivated, and mature, with a clear vision for their academic and professional journey

Timeline & Phases

1. Create an applicant profile
   
   

2. Fill in all required sections:
   
   

• Personal Information
  
  

• Academic Background
  
  

• Family & Financial Details
  
  

• Community Involvement
  
  

• Extracurriculars
  
  

• Essays (if required)
  
  

3. Submit before the September 15, 2025 deadline!
   
   

4. Wait for a notification if you are selected as a Semi-Finalist
   
   

Final Note

The Gates Scholarship isn’t just about funding, it’s a life-changing opportunity to join a network of future global leaders. If you're academically brilliant, community-minded, and need financial support, TGS could be your path to success.