The Gates Millennium Scholarship

The Bill Gates Foundation initially started the GMS award in 1999 with a one billion dollar grant. The goal of the Bill Gates scholarship is to reduce financial barriers to higher education for minority groups. Whether awarding scholarship money for aspiring students or improving the standard of living in a third-world country, the Gates Foundation provides resources to help people enjoy healthier, more productive lives. The foundation provides outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education, in all discipline areas and a graduate education for those students pursuing studies in mathematics, science, engineering, education, or library science. The Gates Millennium Scholars is funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is sometimes referred to as the Bill Gates Scholarship. For more information about the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, please visit: http://www.gmsp.org

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 a 4.0 scale (unweighted) 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 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

Application Deadlines:
The Deadline for Submission of Nomination Materials is as follows:
All online applications must be submitted by January 12, 2009 11:59 p.m. EST.

Maximum Amount: A GMS award is determined by unmet need based on the financial aid award package that will be provided by the Nominee’s college or university. It will help pay the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for the academic year.

Contact:
Gates Millennium Scholar Representative
1-877-690-GMSP (4677)
Email Address: info@gmsp.org

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