Dell Scholarship
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
Supported by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Dell Scholar program was designed to eliminate the many challenges students face while pursuing an undergraduate degree. The foundation created the Dell Scholarship Program which awards $20,000 to ease financial burden on low-income households and encourage high school graduates to enroll in college.
The foundation aims to award 500 students the Dell Scholarship nationwide each year. Those who will be graduating from high school in the academic year are eligible to apply. Judges seek those who demonstrate financial need and possess a minimum GPA of 2.4. Winners must plan to enroll full-time at an accredited higher education institution in the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the fall directly following high school graduation.
Applicants must apply online and provide recommendation letters, FAFSA reports, and their grade transcripts. Winners enjoy a number of benefits aside from the $20,000 scholarship award, including academic and financial support and assistance during life challenges that would otherwise have caused a student to not graduate, a laptop, a $500 Chegg Study stipend for textbooks, and teletherapy services that give scholars access to professional counseling.
Scholarship Summary
Supported by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Dell Scholar program was designed to eliminate the many challenges students face while pursuing an undergraduate degree. The foundation created the Dell Scholarship Program which awards $20,000 to ease financial burden on low-income households and encourage high school graduates to enroll in college.
The foundation aims to award 500 students the Dell Scholarship nationwide each year. Those who will be graduating from high school in the academic year are eligible to apply. Judges seek those who demonstrate financial need and possess a minimum GPA of 2.4. Winners must plan to enroll full-time at an accredited higher education institution in the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the fall directly following high school graduation.
Applicants must apply online and provide recommendation letters, FAFSA reports, and their grade transcripts. Winners enjoy a number of benefits aside from the $20,000 scholarship award, including academic and financial support and assistance during life challenges that would otherwise have caused a student to not graduate, a laptop, a $500 Chegg Study stipend for textbooks, and teletherapy services that give scholars access to professional counseling.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: High School Junior – High School Senior
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: 2.4
- Geographic Eligibility: United States
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
Key Information of Dell Scholarship
Study Details
Area of Study
Any
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Financial Information
- Grade transcript
- Recommendation letters
- Short Answers
- School Verification
- Standardized Test Scores
Dell Scholarship Timeline
October
Application Open Date
The application opens on October 1.
December
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline is on December 1.
December
Semifinalists announced
Applicants who have been chosen as semifinalists will be notified and announced on December 10.
January
Semifinalist materials due
Semifinalists will need to have submitted their additional materials by January 27.
March
Winners Announcement Date
Winners are announced around mid-March.
How to ace the Dell Scholarship
Keep your grades up
This scholarship program requires a minimum GPA of 2.4 so keep your grades up and have a higher GPA to increase your chances of winning. Judges are looking for those with unique GPAs despite their personal and financial struggles. Grades will be an indicator of how dedicated and serious you are.
Choice of references
Your references or recommenders must be those who know you well enough to be willing to speak to your abilities and demonstrate why you make the perfect candidate for this scholarship. Also, contact them and send them the required forms very early on to allow them enough time to complete them.
Be ready to talk about yourself
With the Dell Scholars Program, it's all about you. Through the application process, you'll be asked for information about your life at home, with your family, and elsewhere. There'll be questions that allow you to speak to your life's greatest challenges. Make sure to present your solutions to these challenges in a way that helps judges see your determination to succeed.
Make sure you stand out
In your application, demonstrate the drive to succeed despite personal obstacles, showcase why this scholarship matters in pursuing your dreams, and your pursuit to address or overcome personal challenges in your life related to your family, school, or community. You may include some of the extracurricular activities you undertook during high school. Having a good idea of where you're headed is useful — the judges want to see that you're hungry for success.
How the Dell Scholarship is Judged
Applications are assessed based on the quality of applications and good academic records despite financial struggles. Students who showcase a determination to succeed despite their socioeconomic challenges, who have been working towards their goals, and who also have clear future plans are more likely to be chosen.
Why We Love the Dell Scholarship
It supports exceptional students
The program opens an opportunity for exceptional students, especially those with financial struggles, to pursue their dreams. It will set you off to embark on a strong and secure career path for life in whatever field you choose.
It provides unparalleled support
Most scholarships are transactional in nature, but the Dell Scholars Program provides a continuing support network. Admission into the Dell Scholars program also comes with help navigating your schooling experience, which includes a dedicated Dell Scholar support team.
It looks at the whole picture
In a world where many scholarships have very high SAT/ACT or GPA requirements, the Dell Scholars Program puts more stock in your story than it does your grade point average. The minimum GPA for this program is 2.4, which most students are able to surpass.
5 Facts About Dell Technologies
The company was started in a dorm
Michael Dell founded his company from his dorm room at the University of Texas.
The merger was the biggest ever
Dell's merger with EMC was "the biggest deal in history between two technology companies", according to the BBC.
Michael Dell was a boy genius
He was just eight years old when he signed up to earn his high school diploma.
Dell's founder had a rivalry with Steve Jobs
Michael Dell started it by making some off-hand remarks about Apple to a private audience.
Dell's relationship with Apple was complicated
Michael and Steve might have had their tiff, but Michael's first computer was an Apple II.