The GMS 2016 Application Now Available Online

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest.

The program selects 1,000 talented students, each year, to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. Gates Millennium Scholars are provided with personal and professional development through leadership programs, along with academic support throughout their college career.

Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they meet all of the following criteria:

• 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 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or have earned a GED
• Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited college or university (with the exception of students concurrently pursuing a high school diploma) in the fall of 2016 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student. First-time college enrollees can also be GED recipients.
• Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities
• Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria
• Have completed and submitted all three required forms: the student's application (Nominee Personal Information Form), an evaluation of the student's academic record (Nominator Form) and an evaluation of the student's community service and leadership activities (Recommender Form), by the January 13, 2016 deadline.
  
   
• Application may be found at  gmsp.org. 

Getting Ready To Begin Your First Year In College?   Here Are a Few Tips To   "Know Before You Go"

• Be prepared for change - Everything will be new: a new environment, friends, daily routine, different weather depending where you move for school.  It will be exciting and maybe even a little overwhelming to be at college your first year.  Mentally preparing for change will help ease the transition and reduce some of the anxiety in your first days on campus.
• Advocate for yourself - Now that you're an adult, people will treat you that way and expect you to be responsible for yourself.  Whether you're visiting the financial aid office, requesting a transcript or meeting with your professor, make sure you advocate for yourself.  Ask questions.  Be persistent.  Be professional.  Take the initiative.  Make sure your voice is being heard. 
• Daily Schedule - It will be helpful to create a daily routine to ensure you make time for studying, fun, rest, calling family, etc.  Once you set your schedule, stick to it.  Planning your day will allow you manage a number of things without getting behind or missing time for important assignments.
• Study Skills - College exams will require you to study and master the material.  While you may not have needed to study as much in high school, you will need to study as much as you can for college courses.  Be open to different ways to study.  Try different methods, use note cards, do study groups, be creative, have fun with it.
• Don't forget to sleep - As things get busy and you try to squeeze the most out of your day, don't sacrifice your sleep.  You operate best when you get adequate amounts of sleep every day.  You will recall information better, feel more alert and won't be falling asleep in class.
• Get involved, but not too involved - There will be so many activities, clubs, organizations to join and events to attend that you can enjoy a healthy social life in college. But, don't do so much that it begins to take away from your studies.  So, if you have to cut some activities to focus on your academics, do it. 
• Make friends, network ­- Friends are a great support system to have.  They can become your family away from home to be there during the good times and difficult times.  Many of them you may end up maintaining friendships with, years after college.