Bill Gates, Microsoft and Your Education

Through his company and his foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates has shown that he cares greatly about making sure those in need have a way to get to and through college. Below are a few of the scholarships made available.

Gates Millennium Scholarship

The Foundation made a $1 billion dollar grant beginning in 1999 to be allocated over the following twenty years. The program is administered by the United Negro College Fund which is partnering with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, and the Organization of Chinese Americans.

Washington State Achievers Scholarships

Juniors at one of the one of the 16 Achievers High Schools in Washington may be eligible for the Washington State Achievers Scholarships, which are part of a package from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to help redesign high schools, provide early impetus to guide low income students towards college, and to provide them the means (through scholarships) to go.

Gates Public Service Law Scholarship

Each year, five first year students entering the University of Washington School of Law will receive the Gates Public Service Law award. Each winner will receive tuition, books and fees. The scholarship is renewable. Accepting it means committing to practice in public law for five years after graduation.

Microsoft College Careers Scholarships

Microsoft Corporation has pledged over $500,000 for scholarships for the 2006-07 school year. There are four categories of the Microsoft scholarships: General Scholarships, Women's Scholarships, Underrepresented Minority Scholarships, and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities. Application dealine is January 15, 2007. You can get more information about requirements and how to apply at https://www.microsoft.com/college/ss_howtoapply.mspx.