Dell Scholars Program

About this scholarship

The Dell Scholars Program, run by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, recognises low-income, highly motivated students who demonstrate the drive to succeed in college despite personal obstacles — placing as much weight on determination and grit as on test scores or GPA. Beyond a multi-year scholarship, Dell Scholars are best known for the program's extensive wraparound support: ongoing advising, resources, and tools designed to help students actually complete their degrees, which is why the program emphasises persistence support rather than just an award amount (the current monetary value is published on the official site). A distinctive eligibility requirement is that applicants must have participated in and completed an approved college-readiness program during grades 11 and 12. Applicants also demonstrate financial need and a plan to enroll in a bachelor's degree program. The first step is completing the online application (all applications are online only); a group of finalists is then selected and asked to submit a current high-school transcript, a FAFSA Submission Summary, and an online recommendation. Applicants should confirm the exact eligibility and deadline on the official Dell Scholars website, as the approved college-readiness-program requirement is central.

Eligibility

• Have participated in and completed an approved college-readiness program in grades 11 and 12
• Demonstrate financial need and the determination to succeed in college
• Plan to enroll full time in a bachelor's degree program
• Complete the online application (online submissions only)
• If a finalist: submit a transcript, FAFSA Submission Summary, and a recommendation