Programs and scholarships built for first-generation and low-income students preparing for college.
Programs in this collection (9)
QuestBridge National College Match: QuestBridge. Scholarship, USA. A college admissions and scholarship program run by QuestBridge that matches high-achieving, low-income high school seniors with full four-year scholarships from 55 partner colleges. Students can be considered for early admission at up to 15 colleges, and a match is binding, with MIT as the exception. The scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel, with no loans or parental contribution.
Posse Foundation: Posse. Scholarship, USA. High school seniors nominated by their high school or a community-based organization in one of Posse's cities compete for full-tuition leadership scholarships from partner colleges. Posse supports Scholars from senior year through college, and the award is not need-based.
Gates Scholarship: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Scholarship, USA. Last-dollar scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance not met by other aid and the family contribution, for up to five years of a bachelor's degree. Applicants are Pell-eligible high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with at least a 3.3 weighted GPA.
Dell Scholars: Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Scholarship, Texas, USA. Seniors graduating from a Texas high school who completed an approved college readiness program, are Pell Grant eligible, and have at least a 2.4 GPA can apply. Scholars get $20,000 for a four-year public Texas college plus a laptop, textbook credits, and teletherapy.
Horatio Alger National Scholarship: Horatio Alger Association. Scholarship, USA. A need-based college scholarship from the Horatio Alger Association for full-time U.S. high school juniors who have shown perseverance through adversity. Recipients receive up to $25,000 each, and 105 juniors were selected for the Class of 2027. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with financial need, community service, a minimum 2.5 GPA and an adjusted gross family income of $100,000 or lower, and must plan to earn a bachelor's degree.
Ron Brown Scholar Program: CAP Charitable Foundation. Scholarship, USA. A $40,000 scholarship, paid as $10,000 a year for four years, for Black or African American high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Selection weighs academics, leadership, community service and financial need. Funds can be used at any accredited four-year U.S. college.
Stamps Scholars: Stamps Foundation. Scholarship, USA. Merit scholarships offered through partner colleges and universities, with annual amounts from $20,000 to $98,000 set by each school. Students do not apply to the foundation; most partners consider applicants automatically, and some require a separate application or interview.
Minds Matter NYC: Minds Matter NYC. Fellowship, New York, USA. A free 7-year mentoring and college-prep program for low-income New York City students who would be the first in their families to attend college. Starting in sophomore year, each student is matched with two adult mentors and spends most Saturdays from October through April on mentoring, writing and critical thinking, and SAT prep. Rising juniors and seniors attend summer programs, and support continues through college.
Double Discovery Center: Columbia University. Fellowship, Manhattan, New York, USA. A free college-prep program at Columbia for first-generation and low-income high school students from Harlem, Washington Heights, and nearby neighborhoods. Students attend Saturday Academy during the school year, taking a college-prep session and two enrichment courses, and 9th and 10th graders can join a four-week commuter Summer Academy. Tutoring, college application and financial aid help, and wellness support are included.