The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, established in 1999 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, remains one of the most impactful scholarship initiatives in U.S. history. Designed to promote academic excellence and provide financial support to outstanding minority students, the program has empowered thousands of future leaders across the country.

Although the original GMS program ended in 2016 after fulfilling its mission, its successor—The Gates Scholarship—continues to support exceptional students from underrepresented backgrounds.

📜 History and Purpose

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program was born from a $1 billion grant—the largest single donation ever to a U.S. scholarship program at the time. It was administered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in partnership with several other organizations including the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, and the American Indian Graduate Center.

Primary Goals:

• Increase the number of underrepresented minorities in college.
• Help minority students complete their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
• Reduce barriers to higher education for low-income, high-achieving students.

✅ Eligibility Requirements (for the original GMS Program)

Applicants to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program had to:

• Be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American.
• Be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.
• Be high school seniors at the time of application.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
• Be eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant.
• Demonstrate leadership abilities through community service or extracurriculars.

💰 What the Scholarship Covered

The GMS program provided a “last-dollar” scholarship—covering any remaining costs of college attendance not covered by other grants or scholarships. This included:

• Tuition and fees
• Books and supplies
• Room and board
• Personal expenses

Additionally, GMS offered funding for graduate school in select disciplines:

• Education
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Public Health
• Science
• Library Science

🌟 Impact of the GMS Program

Between 2000 and 2016, the GMS program:

• Funded over 20,000 scholars.
• Achieved a graduation rate of nearly 90%, far above the national average.
• Created one of the most powerful alumni networks of minority scholars in the U.S.

Many Gates Scholars have gone on to become doctors, engineers, public servants, and social entrepreneurs—serving communities and advancing equity in their fields.

🔚 End of the GMS Program & New Beginnings

The original Gates Millennium Scholars Program concluded in 2016 after meeting its goal of supporting 20,000 scholars. It was succeeded by a new program called The Gates Scholarship, which began in 2017 and continues today.

🎓 The Gates Scholarship (Current Program)

Launched in 2017, The Gates Scholarship carries on the legacy of the GMS Program but with updated criteria and a new structure. It is awarded to 300 high-achieving, Pell-eligible minority high school seniors each year.

💡 Key Features:

• Full cost of attendance not covered by other financial aid.
• Covers tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation.
• Includes academic support, career counseling, mentorship, and leadership development.
• Offered by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

✅ Eligibility for The Gates Scholarship

Applicants must:

• Be high school seniors in the U.S.
• Be from at least one of the following ethnic groups:
  • African-American
  • American Indian/Alaska Native
  • Asian & Pacific Islander American
  • Hispanic American
• Be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
• Have a GPA of 3.3 or higher (unweighted).
• Plan to enroll full-time at a four-year U.S. college.
• Demonstrate leadership, perseverance, and a strong academic record.

📅 Application Timeline (Typical)

Step	Date Range
Application Opens	July or August
Phase 1 Deadline	Mid-September
Semifinalists Selected	November – December
Finalists Chosen	March – April
Award Notification	April – May

Always confirm dates on the official site each year.

📝 What’s Required to Apply?

• Basic student and family information
• Academic records and coursework
• Leadership and extracurricular activities
• Short essays (2–3 responses)
• Letters of recommendation (in Phase 2)
• FAFSA confirmation and Pell eligibility

🌐 Where to Apply

To learn more and apply for the current Gates Scholarship, visit the official website:

👉 The Gates Scholarship Official Site

🧭 Final Thoughts

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program set the gold standard for minority scholarships by combining financial aid with leadership and mentoring. Though it has ended, its successor—The Gates Scholarship—continues that mission with renewed focus.

If you are a high-achieving student from a minority background with financial need, The Gates Scholarship can open doors not just to a degree, but to a lifelong community of support and opportunity.