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.”

Each year more and more low-income students face financial barriers that prevent them from attending college. According to the federal Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance report, Empty Promises: the Myth of College Access in America, almost 4.4 million high school graduates will be unable to attend four-year college because they cannot afford it. For two million of those students, access to any higher education will be out of their reach because of the financial barriers. Improving access to college for young people is critical to our nation’s economic and civic health.

GMS scholarships are awarded to African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students who demonstrate academic excellence, community service and strong leadership skills. Scholarships assist students in meeting the cost of tuition and can be renewed for up to five years in undergraduate studies in any field of study. GMS Scholars who choose to pursue graduate studies in the areas of education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and science are eligible to receive continued funding.

“This country has an economic, if not moral, imperative to graduate more students from high school ready for college, work and citizenship. That imperative drives our investments to improve high schools throughout the country,” said Jim Shelton, program director for education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which established the GMS program. “But the reality is that financial barriers currently prevent thousands of even the most prepared high school graduates from attending or completing college each year. The GMS program is working to ensure that high-achieving low-income students receive access to high quality education and opportunities for leadership and service without fear of being crippled by debt.”

The GMS program has funded post-secondary education for Scholars who have enrolled in more than 1300 colleges and universities including UNCF institutions, other historically black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and traditional colleges and universities across the country. It is committed to awarding $1 billion to 20,000 students.

Candidates for the GMS award must be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States. Students must also meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria, have at least a 3.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and have demonstrated leadership through community service or other extracurricular activities.

To find out more about the 2006-2007 recipients or to find information on previous Scholars please visit http://www.gmsp.org. Nomination materials for the 2007-2008 academic year will also be available in the fall on the same web site.

As the nation’s oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund’s mission is to provide financial support to its 39 member institutions and increase minority degree attainment by reducing financial barriers to college. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 25 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers nearly 450 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship programs, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country.

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world. In developing countries, it focuses on improving health, reducing extreme poverty, and increasing access to technology in public libraries. In the United States, the foundation seeks to ensure that all people have access to a great education and to technology in public libraries. In its local region, it focuses on improving the lives of low-income families. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Patty Stonesifer and Co-chairs William H. Gates Sr., Bill Gates, and Melinda French Gates. More information is available at http://www.gatesfoundation.org.

On the Internet:
Gates Millennium Scholars, http://www.gmsp.org

Contact: Mary Williams
Gates Millennium Scholars
703.205.2041
mary.williams@gmsp.org

Source: United Negro College Fund

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