Thank you for logging onto the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) online nomination system. The information below will provide you with an overview and subsequent instructions to apply for and nominate or recommend a student for this prestigious scholarship.
In order to be eligible to be considered for the GMS scholarship, all three forms must be submitted online by Wednesday, January 11, 2012 11:59 PM EST or postmarked on or before January 11, 2012.
A Complete Application Consists of:
1. Student Application (Nominee Personal Information Form)
2. Educator’s evaluation of the student’s academic record (Nominator Form)
3. Evaluation of the student’s community service and leadership activities (Recommender Form)
2. Educator’s evaluation of the student’s academic record (Nominator Form)
3. Evaluation of the student’s community service and leadership activities (Recommender Form)
Student Registration Identification
All three forms are linked by the student’s registration identification number. The student's registration identification number is a combination of his/her five digit zip code and the last four digits of his/her preferred phone number. For example, if the student’s five digit zip code is 99999 and preferred phone number is 703-555-1234, then the registration identification number would be 99999-1234. Students should select one telephone number to use for their registration identification number to prevent any possible confusion.As the student, your registration identification number is automatically displayed by the system as you complete page one of the online application. The educator writing about your academic record (Nominator) and the individual writing about your community service and leadership activities (Recommender) will have to enter your student registration identification number to access their forms.
Individuals writing about your academic record (Nominator) and community service and leadership activities (Recommender) do not have to wait for you (Nominee) to start their evaluation. Just ensure that they enter the correct student registration identification number.
Why GMS?
The increasing diversity of our society reminds us that all of America's citizens must have access to higher education if our nation is to sustain and advance itself as a global, competitive democracy in the new millennium. The future of our economy and quality of life depend upon the preparation of a diverse cadre of leaders who can help build a stronger society. These potential leaders, especially those drawn from groups that have traditionally and historically been denied access to higher education, require the necessary support and opportunities to earn and complete a college education.
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, funded by a 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 any discipline area of interest. Continuing Gates Millennium Scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.
In 1999, a bold vision of what America’s future would look like began to take shape. In that view, America’s leadership would include 20,000 individuals, all people of color, who would make a significant impact on the future direction of the nation. Coming from among the most financially needy students and attending the nation’s best colleges and universities, they would represent the extraordinary promise inherent among all highly academically capable individuals, no matter what their background. Moreover, the planners envisioned that the researched experiences of the students’ matriculation and retention, the fact of these individuals’ extraordinary successes to terminal degrees, and the testimony of their voices, would spark conversation, and perhaps debate, leading to public policies and added philanthropic contributions in support of similarly able and financially challenged young people. That vision of Bill and Melinda Gates was funded by a historic grant of more than 1 billion dollars to UNCF—the United Negro College Fund—still the largest single gift to any scholarship organization.
One of the most unique aspects of the GMS program is the partnership and collective efforts of the four partner organizations providing services to the continuing Gates Millennium Scholars. GMS program staff members at the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS), the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and UNCF service students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is truly a national effort.
In 1999, a bold vision of what America’s future would look like began to take shape. In that view, America’s leadership would include 20,000 individuals, all people of color, who would make a significant impact on the future direction of the nation. Coming from among the most financially needy students and attending the nation’s best colleges and universities, they would represent the extraordinary promise inherent among all highly academically capable individuals, no matter what their background. Moreover, the planners envisioned that the researched experiences of the students’ matriculation and retention, the fact of these individuals’ extraordinary successes to terminal degrees, and the testimony of their voices, would spark conversation, and perhaps debate, leading to public policies and added philanthropic contributions in support of similarly able and financially challenged young people. That vision of Bill and Melinda Gates was funded by a historic grant of more than 1 billion dollars to UNCF—the United Negro College Fund—still the largest single gift to any scholarship organization.
One of the most unique aspects of the GMS program is the partnership and collective efforts of the four partner organizations providing services to the continuing Gates Millennium Scholars. GMS program staff members at the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS), the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) and UNCF service students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is truly a national effort.
Who’s Eligible?
Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they meet all of the following criteria:
- 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 an unweighted 4.0 scale or have earned a GED
- Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited*** college or university (with the exception of students concurrently pursuing a high school diploma) in the fall of 2012 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student. First-time college enrollees can also be GED recipients.
- 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: the student’s application (Nominee Personal Information Form), an evaluation of the student’s academic record (Nominator Form) and an evaluation of the student’s community service and leadership activities(Recommender Form) by the deadline
*American Indian/Alaska Native Requirements: American Indian/Alaska Natives will be asked to provide proof of tribal enrollment or certificate of descent from a state or federally recognized tribe if selected as a GMS finalist.
**Asian Pacific Islander American includes persons having origins from Asia and/or Pacific Islands. Asian includes persons having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent. Pacific Islander includes persons having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands. Citizens of the republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are eligible to be nominated. This is not an all inclusive list. Please see the U.S. Census Bureau listing at www.census.gov.
***To be eligible for the GMS scholarship, the student must matriculate at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The following are accreditation resources: Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education Programs Candidates; American Council of Education published in consultation with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; Higher Education Directory published by Higher Education Publications, Inc.
**Asian Pacific Islander American includes persons having origins from Asia and/or Pacific Islands. Asian includes persons having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent. Pacific Islander includes persons having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands. Citizens of the republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are eligible to be nominated. This is not an all inclusive list. Please see the U.S. Census Bureau listing at www.census.gov.
***To be eligible for the GMS scholarship, the student must matriculate at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. The following are accreditation resources: Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education Programs Candidates; American Council of Education published in consultation with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; Higher Education Directory published by Higher Education Publications, Inc.
Pell Grant Eligibility
If selected as GMS finalists, students must demonstrate eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant Program as part of their financial aid package for the 2012 academic year. Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Programs. Students are urged to file a 2012 FAFSA at their earliest opportunity. The 2012 FAFSA form will be available January 1, 2012 at www.fafsa.gov. Federal Pell Grants typically are awarded to families that demonstrate significant financial need. Eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant is a function of many factors, including dependency status, family income, family size and the number of students in the family.
· To determine if a student is Pell Grant eligible, he/she and the parent(s)/guardian(s) should meet with a high school counselor or the financial aid officer at the college or university he/she plans to attend.
· For an estimate of a student’s eligibility, students may use the FAFSA forecaster tool at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.
Note: Students should not submit a FAFSA with the GMS application. GMS does not have a school code that a student can use on their FAFSA. If a student is selected as a finalist, GMS will request that he/she to send a copy of his/her Student Aid Report (SAR) to the GMS office. We recommend students set a target date of February 15, 2012 to submit the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov.
The application process for GMS awards is highly competitive, we urge students to submit their application as early as possible.
We strongly recommend that the students submit their application online by the deadline of Wednesday, January 11, 2012 11:59 PM EST. Students can also submit their application via postal mail postmarked on or before January 11, 2012.
Mail applications to:
Gates Millennium Scholars
P.O. Box 1434
Alexandria, Virginia 22313
Toll-Free Phone: 1-877-690-GMSP (4677)
Note: We are unable to accept faxes or mail that requires a signature for receipt of delivery.
We strongly recommend that the students submit their application online by the deadline of Wednesday, January 11, 2012 11:59 PM EST. Students can also submit their application via postal mail postmarked on or before January 11, 2012.
Mail applications to:
Gates Millennium Scholars
P.O. Box 1434
Alexandria, Virginia 22313
Toll-Free Phone: 1-877-690-GMSP (4677)
Note: We are unable to accept faxes or mail that requires a signature for receipt of delivery.
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