SEATTLE- The Gates Millennium Scholars
Program today announced that 4,000 hardworking, high-achieving students
from low-income minority families will comprise the inaugural class of
this new 20 year, $1 billion initiative aimed at reducing the financial
barriers to a college education for 20,000 students.
"The best and the brightest students shouldn't
be denied access to higher education simply because they can't afford it,"
said Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
"Melinda and I hope that this gift will not only benefit thousands of students,
but will also benefit America by empowering a diverse generation of leaders
who otherwise might not have a chance."
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program
was created last fall with a grant of private money from the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation. The program is administered by the United Negro
College Fund, in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the
American Indian College Fund.
More than 62,000 high-achieving students
were nominated for scholarships this year. The program has notified approximately
4,000 students that they are candidates for the award. These students have
until June 15 to send in to the program administrators proof of financial
eligibility and college enrollment for the fall semester.
Joining Mr. and Mrs. Gates at the event
were the first 20 students who have been accepted as scholars. United Negro
College Fund (UNCF) president and CEO William Gray III was also on hand
to congratulate this year's scholars.
"On behalf of the UNCF and its partners
in the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
and the American Indian College Fund, I congratulate these outstanding
and deserving students for their dedication to scholarly excellence," said
Gray. "This program strengthens America by helping thousands achieve their
leadership potential. "We're honored to be a part of this effort."
The GMS provides merit-based scholarships
that cover the remaining college costs minority students face after universities
award financial aid packages. To be eligible for nomination, students must:
Be a student with at least a 3.3 GPA;
Be accepted or enrolled full-time in an
accredited four year undergraduate degree program or accepted or enrolled
in a graduate degree program in mathematics, science, engineering, education
or library science for the academic year 2000-2001;
Demonstrate leadership skills and community
involvement; and
Show significant financial need.
"It's been my dream to be the first person
in my family to go to college," said Guadalupe Segura, one of the 20 of
the first GMS scholars to be named. "It's a dream that my family ha sacrificed
for, and one that I've worked hard to achieve. Without the award, my family
could not afford to send me to Berkeley next fall. I encourage other students
to apply for this scholarship."
The program plans to induct 1,000 new scholars
each year. As many as 4,000 Millennium Scholars could be in school at any
given point during the program's 20-year span.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
places a major focus on helping to improve people's lives through health
and learning. Led by William H. Gates, Sr. and Patty Stonesifer, the Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation is located in Seattle, Washington. In addition
to the Gates Millennium Scholars initiative, significant Foundation projects
include: the Bill & Melinda Gates Children's Vaccine Program, a $100
million commitment to speed the delivery of lifesaving vaccines to children
in developing countries; the Maternal Mortality Reduction Program, a $50
million commitment to prevent pregnancy-related deaths of women in developing
countries; and the Gates Library Initiative, a major effort to help close
the 'digital divide' by bringing Internet access to libraries in the poorest
communities in Canada and the United States. More information can be found
at www.gatesfoundation.org.
"What is so special about the Gates
Millennium Scholars Program is that it benefits so many, not just the scholars,
but in a much larger sense, our nation," said Patty Stonesifer, program
co-chair and president of the Foundation. "This initiative helps promote
diversity in leadership and will help our country excel in the 21st century."
"Each year, over 13,000 organizations
offer a variety of scholarships to deserving students, including churches,
social and professional organizations and colleges and universities," said
Mr. Gates. "We're proud to be a part of this effort to help our youth reach
their dreams."
A web cast of the event is available
at the Bill & Melinda Gates web site at www.gatesfoundation.org.