“Leaders for America’s Future” Tami Buffalohead-McGill Creighton University 2500 California Plaza Omaha, Nebraska

William H. Gates Chairman and Chief Software Architect Microsoft Corporation

A bout The P rogram The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program, established in 1999,is a 20-year 1 billion dollar initiative funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an annual opportunity for 1,000 outstanding students with significant financial need to reach their fullest potential.

A bout The P rogram UNCF has partnered with the the following organizations to assist in serving the constituencies: - American Indian Graduate Center Scholars - The Hispanic Scholarship Fund - The Organization of Chinese Americans

E ligibility C riteria African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American; American Indians/Alaska Natives must have valid proof of United States tribal enrollment (state & federally recognized tribes) or certificate of Indian blood (CIB). Citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the United States; Cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale; at the time of submission;

E LIGIBILITY C RITERIA Degree-seeking freshman in the Fall of the program year; (high school seniors, GED students, non-traditional) Entering a U.S. accredited college or university as a full- time student; Has demonstrated leadership abilities through participation: Community service Extracurricular or other activities such as tribal involvement

E LIGIBILITY C RITERIA Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant can only be determined through the submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Send FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Programs by March 1, 2007.

C olleges And U niversities GMS Scholars attend 1000 colleges and universities across the country, including: Community or Junior Colleges Agricultural, Technical and Specialized Colleges Four-Year Public Institutions Four-Year Private Institutions Ivy Leagues

D egree O ptions  Undergraduate.  Any discipline area of interest.  Graduate.  Education, engineering, library science, public health, mathematics or science.

C andidate S election  Must complete and submit FAFSA.  Award based on cost of attendance and covers unmet need as determined by financial aid award letter.  Tuition & fees.  Room and board.  Books.

Formula for Determining Need Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Equals = Demonstrated Need

Examples of Scholarship Amount Creighton University Tuition & Fees$24,926 Room & Board$ 7,842 Health Insurance$ 1,677 Laptop Computer$ 1,880 Books$ 1,000 Personal Expenses$ 1,400 Travel$ 800 DEMO $39,525 Pell$4,050 Grant$3,000 Scholarship$1,000 EFC (your contribution) $ 0 $8,050 Gates Contribution:$31,475 Creighton University Tuition & Fees$24,926 Room & Board$ 7,842 Health Insurance$ 1,677 Laptop Computer$ 1,880 Books$ 1,000 Personal Expenses$ 1,400 Travel$ 800 DEMO $39,525 Pell$ 550 Grant$3,000 Scholarship$1,000 EFC (your contribution)$3,500 $8,050 Gates Contribution:$31,475

Dec The deadline for submission of Nomination Materials is January 12, 2007 at 11:59 p.m N OMINATION P ROCESS Deadline: 01/12/07

There are three components of the GMS scholarship nomination process:  Nominee Personal Information Form: to be completed by the student.  Nominator Form: to be completed by an educator.  Recommender Form: to be completed by an individual who knows the student and is familiar with the student’s community service and leadership activities. THREE COMPONENTS

Nominator  Nominator requirements:  Be familiar with the student’s academic performance to respond to questions concerning academic achievement.  Be aware of GMS eligibility requirements and nominate only those students who are deemed eligible.  Institutional nominations will not be accepted.

R ecommender  A recommender form is also required for a complete package.  Recommenders can be:  Supervisor at work.  Community group leader.  Any other adult who is familiar with the nominee’s community service and leadership activities.

A Successful Submission Submit the required forms on time. ALL three (Nominee, Nominator, Recommender) forms must be submitted. Take responsibility. A successful submission occurs when there is a partnership between the Nominee, Nominator, and Recommender. Keep confirmation of submissions for your records.

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Sample Academic Honors/Awards National Honor Society Honor roll, all high school semesters Minority Scholars Perfect Attendance Academic Letter Student of the week Upward Bound Math and Science Most Improved in Physics

Sample Athletic Honors/Awards Scholar Athlete Track Letter, Football Letter, etc. Member, State Championship Team All State Most Valuable Player All Metro Player Fastest 100 yard Dash in State Defensive Softball Player of the year (Catcher)

Sample Extracurricular Honors/Awards Selected for Upward Bound program Selected for the Bridge to Success Program Chosen for Youth Leadership Conference Welcome speaker a conference Internship with Smithsonian Institution- National Museum of the American Indian

Sample Community/Artistic Honors/Awards Performer in the "Rose Legend" in the classic "Beauty & the Beast” Honorable Mention for Artwork Division 1 State Marching Band University of Iowa Summer Workshop-Best Feature Photo Essay Awarded Certificate of Appreciation, from the Public Library for volunteer services to the Library Special Award for Contributions to the Mannford Historical Society

Honors and Awards Example C. Accomplishments 15. Honors and Awards Type of Honor/Award: AcademicDate Rec’d: 08/27/2005 Name of Award: National Honor Society (10 th -12 th ) Description of Award (500 characters or less) I was inducted into the National Honor Society for maintaining a GPA of 3.75 or higher. I earned this award by achieving a 3.9 GPA all semesters during high school.

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Sample School Leadership Homecoming Committee Student Council/Government Varsity Basketball Team Drama Club Native American Club Yearbook/School Newspaper Debate/Speech Team School Play Mentor/Tutor Translator

Sample Church Leadership Church Youth Group Youth Minister CCD Leader Alter boy Choir Member Bible Study Group

Leadership Example D. Leadership 18. Leadership Roles Name of Organization: Ponca City High School Student Council From: August 1, 2006To: May 1, 2007 Position Held/Role: Secretary Description of Activities (500 words or less) As the Secretary I am responsible for maintaining minutes and coordinating student council meetings. I also help plan and implement fundraising projects.

Sample Culture/Family/Work Leadership Dance/Drum Group Cultural performer –Dragon Dance –Jingle Dress Dancer –Ballet Folklorico –Hula Mentor/Tutor Translator Supervisor Trainer

D. Leadership 18. Leadership Roles Name of Organization: Yazzie Family From: August 1, 2006To: August 3, 2007 Position Held/Role: Fire Chief Description of Activities (500 words or less) I assist with Native American Church ceremonies held for the Yazzie family. My duties included maintaining the fire throughout the ceremony. This honorable role was bestowed upon me by a Dine community elder. Traditional Leadership Example

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