About the Program The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program, established in 1999, is funded by a $1.6 billion dollar grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential.

About the Program The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the administrator of the GMS initiative and has partnered with the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS), the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF), and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF).

About the Scholarship The Gates Millennium Scholarship Provides: ◦ Support for the cost of education ◦ Renewable awards with satisfactory academic progress ◦ Graduate school funding for continuing scholars in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health, or science; ◦ Leadership development programs with distinctive personal, academic and professional growth opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements 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 (unweighted) or have earned a GED Are Degree-seeking freshman who will be entering an accredited college or university as full-time student; Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria

About the Application The application is composed of three components: ◦ 1. Nominator Form  Completed by a teacher or counselor who is familiar with your academic background ◦ 2. Recommender Form  Completed by an individual who is aware of your community service and leadership activities ◦ 3. Nominee Form  Completed by you! Nominees are assessed based on academic achievement, community service, and leadership potential.

About the Application Applications do not need to be submitted in the same format or at the same time! ◦ All forms may be completed online or by mail. ◦ Nominators and Recommenders can start their application before the nominee. All portions must be submitted or postmarked by the deadline: January 10, 2011 at 11:59 P.M. EST Application materials can be found at

Resources Cal GMSA ◦ Facebook Group – “GMSA Berkeley” ◦ Blog – berkeleygmsa.blogspot.com ◦ – GMS ◦ Toll-Free Phone: ◦ Website –