College bound seniors, undergraduate and graduate students now have an opportunity to attend the college or university of their choice with the help of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Negro College Fund.
According to Delegate Donna Christian Christensen, the Gates Millennium Scholarship Initiative is accepting applications for its 2000-2001 inaugural year. Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2000. The initiative targets low income students who are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Americans, and Hispanic Americans enrolling in and completing undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Graduate students must be enrolled in a mathematics, science, engineering, education or library science program for the academic year 2000-2001. Eligibility Requirements: In the inaugural year, individuals are eligible to be nominated as Gates Millennium Scholars if they: * are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific American or Hispanic citizens/permanent residents of the U.S.; * have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale; * have applied to, have been accepted into or are enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university for the academic year 2000-2001 at the time of the award; or have applied to, have been accepted into or are enrolled in a graduate degree program in mathematics, science (including life sciences, physical sciences, physical sciences and computer science), engineering education or library science for the 2000-2001 academic year at the time the nomination is complete; * have significant financial need as defined by the Federal needs analysis formula; * have demonstrated leadership ability through participation in community service, extracurricular activities or other activities. The Gates Millennium Scholars Initiative, funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the United Negro College Fund and partners, is aimed at expanding access and opportunity to higher education to those citizens who will help reflect the diverse society in which we live. The Gates Millennium Scholars awards will enable 20,000 young Americans to attend undergraduate and graduate institutions of their choice. For more information contact the Congressional district offices at 774-4408 and 778-5900. To download copies of the application packet, visit the Gates Millennium Scholars website at www.gmsp.org.