Dell Scholars Program
Offered by Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
- Award
- $20,000
- Deadline
- Renewable
- Yes
- Level
- National
About this scholarship
The Dell Scholars Program, run by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, is a scholarship and college-completion program for high school seniors who have participated in an approved college-readiness program and plan to enroll full-time at a four-year college right after graduation. Selected scholars receive a $20,000 flexible award for tuition and housing, plus a laptop, book credits, and emergency funds, along with ongoing academic advising and career support. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be Pell Grant eligible, and the application includes personal essays/short-answer responses about their background and goals. Applications open December 15 and close February 15, with finalists announced March 1 and new scholars announced June 1.
Who can apply
- Year in school
- hs senior
- Minimum GPA
- 2.4 unweighted
- Enrollment
- full time
- Financial need
- Required — expect to file the FAFSA
Conditions worth reading twice
Requires participation in an approved college-readiness/college-access program during high school (hard gate). Must plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college or university right after high school. Pell Grant eligibility required. Annual cycle: application opens Dec 15, closes Feb 15; finalists announced Mar 1; finalist materials (transcript, FAFSA Submission Summary, online recommendation) due May 15; scholars announced Jun 1. 500 scholars selected each year.
Essay prompt
Recorded from the provider's application. Read the prompt before you write anything — most rejected essays answer a different question.
- Essay/personal statement components required as part of the application (specific prompts not published on the official page)
Keeping it after year one
Scholars continue receiving program benefits as long as they meet the program's continuing-student criteria and remain in good standing; the site's Dell Scholars at UT Austin FAQ specifies full-time enrollment, good standing, and annual FAFSA completion
How to apply
Applications are handled by the provider, not by ScholarDuck. Check the deadline on their page before you start — deadlines move, and ours is only as fresh as our last check.
Common questions
When is the Dell Scholars Program deadline?
February 15, 2027. That is the date ScholarDuck recorded from Michael & Susan Dell Foundation's own page. Providers move deadlines without notice, so confirm it on Michael & Susan Dell Foundation's page before you plan around it.
How much is the Dell Scholars Program worth?
$20,000. This is the figure listed on the page ScholarDuck checked, not an estimate of what any one applicant receives.
Does the Dell Scholars Program application require an essay?
ScholarDuck recorded 1 essay prompt on Michael & Susan Dell Foundation's application. It reads: Essay/personal statement components required as part of the application (specific prompts not published on the official page). That is what we captured rather than their full instructions, so confirm on their page — and read the prompt itself before you write anything, because most rejected essays answer a different question.
Who is eligible for the Dell Scholars Program?
Year in school: hs senior. Minimum GPA: 2.4 unweighted. Enrollment: full time. Financial need: Required — expect to file the FAFSA. Those are the eligibility facts ScholarDuck recorded from Michael & Susan Dell Foundation's page — a summary of what they publish, not their complete rules. Read their own page before you apply.
Is the Dell Scholars Program renewable?
Yes. Scholars continue receiving program benefits as long as they meet the program's continuing-student criteria and remain in good standing; the site's Dell Scholars at UT Austin FAQ specifies full-time enrollment, good standing, and annual FAFSA completion. Renewal conditions are set by Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and can change — check their page for the current terms.
How do I apply for the Dell Scholars Program?
Through Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. ScholarDuck does not accept or forward applications. This page links to the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation page ScholarDuck checked, which is where their instructions live; open it, confirm the deadline and requirements there, and apply directly with them.
Writing the essay is the slow part
ScholarDuck matches you against the whole catalogue for free, then helps you adapt essays you have already written instead of starting each one from a blank page. See what you qualify for in four questions — no account needed.