The Gates Scholarship Program 2026 in the USA is now accepting applications. This is a fully funded scholarship for students who want to study at approved U.S. colleges or universities. To apply, you must plan to start a full-time, four-year bachelor’s degree program in any subject. The scholarship covers all costs for the entire degree, so students won’t have to worry about money. The selection process will take place in April 2026, and classes will start in September 2026. The Gates Scholarship was started in 2017 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. There are no limits on which major or field you choose. This is a great chance for students who want to study in the U.S. without financial stress.
Details About The Gates Scholarship Program
- Host Country: USA
- Degree Level: Undergraduate
- Financial Benefits: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 15th September 2025
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Financial Benefits
The Gates Scholarship is a Last-Dollar Funding. It will cover all the expenses such as:
- Tuition
- Fees
- Room
- Board
- Books
- Transportation
- Other personal costs.
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TGS Scholarship Duration
Each student will receive funding for 5 years to complete their undergraduate degree.
The Gates Scholarship Requirements
- Students must be from low-income households.
- A high school senior.
- A student planning to attend part-time in one of the four recommended graduate-level POWER programs.
- Pell-eligible. What is Pell Eligible? Read more about this on the Gates Eligibility Criteria Page.
- A US citizen, national, or permanent resident.
- A GPA of 3.3 (or equivalent) on a 4.0 scale is required.
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Selection Criteria
An Ideal Candidate will have:
- An Outstanding academic record.
- Demonstrated leadership potential through extracurricular or other activities.
- Exceptional personal achievement skills, such as motivation and emotional storytelling.
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Required Documents from Students
- A copy of the most recent transcripts.
- Student Aid Report (SAR) after FAFSA completion
- CSS Profile
- Headshot photo
- Resume
- Financial Aid Award Letter
- Admission letter to a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a non-profit, private, or public university.
Use the College Finder tool to see a List of institutions under the Gates Scholarship Program.
How to Apply for the Gates Scholarship 2026?
Applicants have to apply online. Sign up and create a TGS Profile. Upload the documents. The official Link is given below.
The Link to the application process is: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/help-center/student/application-process
