Dell Scholars Program
Offered by Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
About this scholarship
The Dell Scholars Program is a national college-completion program for high school seniors who have participated in an approved college-readiness program and face significant financial barriers. Each year, 500 students receive a $20,000 flexible scholarship plus a laptop, book credits, emergency funds, academic advising, career coaching, and wellness resources including teletherapy. Scholarship funds can cover tuition, fees, housing, and other education costs; unused funds may also support approved graduate study, loan repayment, study abroad, or internship stipends under program rules. Applicants must be Pell Grant eligible, hold at least a 2.4 GPA, and plan to enroll full time at an accredited four-year college or university immediately after high school. Strong candidates show purpose, perseverance, self-motivation, and a career-driven plan for using a bachelor’s degree. The initial application is online. Finalists provide a current transcript, FAFSA Submission Summary, online recommendation, short responses, and college plans. The most recent official cycle opened December 15, 2025 and closed February 15, 2026; the sponsor has not yet published dates for the next cycle, so students should use the official program page and email-calendar option for the new announcement.
Eligibility
- Be a high school senior participating in an approved college-readiness program
- Be eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4
- Plan to enroll full time at an accredited four-year college or university immediately after high school
- Complete the online initial application during the announced cycle
- If selected as a finalist, submit a transcript, FAFSA Submission Summary, online recommendation, responses, and college plans