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Demystifying the Financial Aid Process for Minority Students
RMASFAA Conference 2010
October 11, 2010
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, established in 1999, is a 1.6 billion dollar initiative funded by grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for 20,000 outstanding students with significant financial need to reach their full potential.
PurposeGates Millennium Scholars
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Program Overview
• Reduce financial barriers for students of color with high academic and leadership promise who have a significant financial need.– African American – Hispanic American – American Indian/Alaska Native and – Asian Pacific Islander American
• Increase the representation of target groups in disciplines where people of color are severely underrepresented.– computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public
health and the sciences
• Provide seamless support from undergraduate through selected graduate programs in support of developing a diversified cadre of future leaders for America.
Gates Millennium Scholars
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UNCF—the United Negro College Fund is the administrator of the GMS initiative and has partnered with the following organizations:
• Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
•American Indian Graduate Center Scholars
•Hispanic Scholarship Fund
About the Program
Gates Millennium Scholars
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Eligibility Criteria• African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific
American or Hispanic Americans;• Citizens/permanent residents of the United States;• Cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (at the time of confirmation);• Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited college or
university in the fall of 2011 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student (with the exception of students pursuing a high school diploma while concurrently enrolled). First-time college enrollees can also be GED recipients.
• Significant demonstrated financial need as defined by Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria; and
• Demonstrated leadership commitment through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities that reflect leadership abilities.
Gates Millennium Scholars
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Gates Millennium Scholars
Last-dollar scholarship award
Funds unmet need as determined by the financial aid award letter provided by the institution
Provides opportunity for undergraduate college education in any discipline or field
Awards are renewable for Gates Millennium Scholars maintaining satisfactory academic progress
Awarding Process: April - October
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• Gates Scholars are eligible to renew their award annually based
upon specified funding term limits.
• Graduate level Gates Scholars must study one of the following
disciplines to renew their award:
• Computer Science
• Education• Engineering• Library Science
• Mathematics
• Public Health
• Science
Awarding Process: April - October
Gates Millennium Scholars
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Scholarship Awards
• GMS has awarded over $593 million in scholarships since the year 2000
• Average award 2001-2010: $11,593
• Funded over 14,000 Gates Scholars at over 1,500 colleges and universities
• Gates Scholars have represented all 50 states and several U.S. territories and commonwealths
Gates Millennium Scholars
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Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Common Barriers
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1. Financial literacy for student and parent(s)/guardian
Promote inclusion
Tailor messaging
Clear/obvious expectations Ongoing dialogue
Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices
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2. Register with Minority-based Programs American Indian College Fund
http://www.collegefund.org/scholarships/main.html
Hispanic College Fund www.hispanicfund.org/scholarships
America’s Black Collegians http://www.collegefund.org/scholarships/main.html
U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce http://uspaacc.com/index.php/programs/college-scholarships/
Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices
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3. Accessibility of information in more than one format
4. Work in partnership to promote desired outcome– Cooperation
– Responsiveness
– Heightened understanding
Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices
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5. Develop Relationships
– Financial Aid Office and Institution representatives
– Applicable service providers (e.g., TRIO, GMS)
6. Maintain Strong Lines of Communication
– Regular Follow-up
– Frequent e-mail/or automated messaging
– Instructional materials
Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Best Practices
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Work in partnership with existing support network
• Mentors/Student Advocates
• Parents
• Other Relevant Representatives
Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Facilitating a Supportive
& Successful Experience
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Provide as much detail as possible• Components of COA • Direct vs. Indirect Costs • EFC• FAFSA Verification Process
Demystifying the Financial Aid Process: Facilitating a Supportive
& Successful Experience
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Discussion……
Gates Millennium Scholars
1. What are some ways that programs like GMS can better communicate the needs of its students with Financial Aid Offices?
2. How can lines of communication regarding the needs of minority students be improved?
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Damien NugentSenior Relationship ManagerGates Millennium Scholars/UNCFE-mail: [email protected]: www.gmsp.orgPhone: 703-205-3467
Christa MoyaDirector of Financial Aid/Student ServicesGates Millennium Scholars/American Indian Graduate Center ScholarsE-mail: [email protected]: www.gmsp.orgPhone: 505-884-7007
Contact Information
If you have a financial aid question regarding Gates Scholars, simply e-mail us at
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