The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has announced a $500 million scholarship endowment dedicated exclusively to first-generation college students from low-income families. The Gates First-Gen Scholars program will begin awarding full-tuition scholarships for the 2027-2028 academic year at over 200 participating universities.
The program targets students from households earning less than $75,000 annually where neither parent holds a bachelor's degree. Each scholarship covers tuition, room and board, textbooks, and a $3,000 annual stipend for personal expenses. Recipients also receive mentorship from program alumni and access to career development resources.
The Foundation estimates the endowment will fund approximately 5,000 scholarships per year in perpetuity. Selection criteria emphasize academic potential, community involvement, and demonstrated resilience rather than standardized test scores, reflecting a broader shift in how scholarship programs evaluate merit.
