Access to Higher Education for Minority Students – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

FAIRFAX, Va. -- One thousand academically talented, low income students of color who have demonstrated leadership skills will be able to continue their education and pursue their dreams with the help of a college scholarship from the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS). These students are from 45 states, the District of Columbia and 3 outlying areas. The GMS scholarship allows students to attend the college or university of their choice free from the burden of financial concerns that can be a barrier to higher education. Since the program began in 1999, over 10,000 scholarships have been awarded by the program. 

“The Gates Millennium Scholars program is more than just scholarships," said Dr. Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which administers the GMS program in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, and the Organization of Chinese Americans. "By eliminating the financial barriers that stand between promising students and the college education they need, this program is educating and nurturing our next generation of leaders."

To read the full press release, visit the Gates Millennium Scholars Web site.