Gates Millenium Scholars — "Leaders for America's Future"

What is GMS?
Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS), funded by a $1 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education, in all discipline areas.

Continuing GMS Scholars may request funding for graduate education in the following areas: mathematics, science, engineering, education or library science. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunitiy for thousands of outstanding students with significant financial need to reach their full potential. The GMS program is a twenty-year initiative, selecting one thousands students per year as Gates Millennium Scholars.

What are the Eligibility Criteria
The selection process is very competitive and only one thousand extraordinary candidates are selected. This award will be based on the cost of tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for the academic year, as well as the availability of grants and other scholarships reported on the submitted financial aid award letter. The award my also be renewed for graduate study by continuing GMS Scholars who choose one of the five majors as their concentration: mathematics, science, engineering, education, or library science.

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 citizens or legal permanent residents/nationals of the United States,
  • Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.00 scale (unweighted),
  • Will be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking freshman in the fall,
  • Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities, and
  • Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria (Eligibility for Federal Pell Grant can only be determined through the submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education).

There are three components of the GMS Scholarship nomination process:

  • A Nominee Personal Information Form to be completed by the student
  • A Nominator Form to be completed by the Nominator
  • A Recommender Form to be completed by the Recommender

All three forms must be completed and submitted by the deadline to be considered for a GMS scholarship.

Nominators
Principals, teachers, guidance counselors, and other professional educators acting in their personal capacity, no representing their institution, are invited to nominate students with outstanding academic qualifications, particularly those that would promote success in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering, or library science. Relatives may not serve as Nominators. Institutional nominations will not be accepted.

Recommenders
Recommenders can be an adult who is familiar with the Nominee's community service and leadership activities such as a supervisor at work or a community service leader. If you have agreed to serve as the student's Nominator and you are also familiar with his/her non-academic activities, you may also serve as the Nominee's Recommender. All Recommenders must act within their personal capacity. Recommendations from relatives will not be accepted.

Other Requirements and Facts
The following list of other requirements and facts are provided to facilitate the nomination process.

  • Nominations must be supported by submission of all three forms: The Nominee Personal Information, Nominator Form and the Recommender Form.
  • Forms may be sent separately or together. All forms must be submitted by the deadline.
  • Nominees, Nominators and Recommenders may submit their forms electronically from our website (www.gmsp.org). Submitting forms electronically is highly recommended as it reduces the possbility of data entry errors and speeds the processing of your form.
  • Students are allowed to submit a Nominee Personal Information Form prior to identifying a Nominator or Recommender. However, each student is responsible for submission of all three forms by the deadline.
  • If you identify yourself as American Indian/Alaska Native, you may be requested to submit proof of tribal enrollment or certificate of descent*.
    (*supporting documents are required for students selected as finalists.)
  • Individuals nominated for a Gates Millennium Scholarship must be eligible for a federal Pell Grant.
  • Eligibility for federal Pell Grant can only be determined through submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to establish eligibility.
  • Students should complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form by March 1st. (FAFSA are available January 1st of each year.)
  • The scholarship is renewable based on satisfactory academic progress and the timely submission of required documents.
  • For nomination materials visit our website at www.gmsp.org or contact us at 1-877-690-GMSP (4667).

Administration
This program is administered by:

  • The United Negro College Fund, Inc.
  • Gates Millennium Scholars
    8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
    PO Box 10500
    Fairfax, Virginia 22031
    Phone: 1-877-690-GMSP(4667)
    Email: info@gmsp.org

 
© 2006. Riverhill Black Student Achievement Program.