<p>Guys, so that i am now a gates scholar, do i get to not apply for scholarships and allow others to win them 
assuming im qualified to compete against them, i got a low gpa and sat score…</p>
<p>Is there any need to apply to scholarships after recieveing the GMS</p>
<p>I just got the news after waiting all week - Gates Scholar 2013!!! Hispanic from Roanoke VA. Thank you God! No one from my small school has ever won before. I took my packet up to my school this afternoon and my teachers were hugging me and jumping up and down and my guidance counselor was crying! I, for one, am blessed to have had teachers that cared so much. </p>
<p>This is a blessing - and to anyone that didn’t get it, God still has a plan. He helped you become a finalist when so many others did not. He will carry you through…hang in there and keep the faith! He’s not done yet…:)</p>
<p>SciMan - I am wondering the same thing. Should I withdraw from any other scholarships I am waiting to hear from - so that someone else can win? For them, it might be the only one they get. Thoughts from others?</p>
<p>Caesar14, the white “acceptance” packets are mailed from the offices of the ethnic group you belong to…not sure about rejection letters. I am Hispanic so my packet came from Los Angeles CA (where Hispanic Scholarship Fund is located). Since I am in Virginia it took awhile. For African Americans, UNCF is in Washington DC…not sure where the offices are for the other two minority groups.</p>
<p>I beleive the gates cover student loans, tuition, work study</p>
<p>but not family contribution?</p>
<p>correct? then becuase it is a last dollar shcolarship, wouldnt that mean whatever scholarship we win, we would have to pay the same whether we win future scholarships or not? so taking other scholarships from ppl who need it?</p>
<p>Any advice from current schoalrs?</p>
<p>@sciman i think you should still apply for other scholarships. I talked to a past scholar who said that gates does not pay for summer (as stated in our packet), so those scholarships can help pay for that.</p>
<p>@birght blue birds: but isnt gates a “last dollar scholarship”?</p>
<p>meaning it will take into account the scholarships BEFORE the gates scholarship meaning you will still get the same ammount just more in private scholarship and less in GATES scholaships.</p>
<p>Is there a way to delay the deliever of the scholarship money to JUST summer sessions?</p>
<p>so gates can cover more and still can afford summer sessions (by using the private scholarships)</p>
<p>My son is devastated because of an error on the part the Gates program. His nominator and recommender received notification that my son was selected as a Gates Scholar and notified me and I told my son. The recommender was planning to write a newspaper article featuring the good news, etc. My son was elated!! As he was visiting colleges, he had not been home to receive his acceptance letter yet and was looking forward to it. Later, he received an email indicating that he was NOT selected for the scholarship. What?! I called the Gates Millenium office and received a call back about their embarrassing mistake, and my son was not a scholar. It is bad enough not to be accepted after being a finalist, but it has far reaching effects to be told you are a scholar by a trusted source who was notified of this, and THEN being notified that this was a mistake. This is quite sad and I understand this happened to a few students – I just feel that the program could do something for these unfortunate students rather than just an I am sorry. Perhaps these students were in the maybe pile – but we will never know. We are very disappointed to say the least.</p>
<p>Congrats 2013 Gates Scholars! Welcome to the family! Where are y’all going for the conference? : )</p>
<p>@Azscholar17 - The packet lists 2 conference dates: September 17-29 in Chantilly, VA and November 8-10 in San Jose, CA. Are the scholars allowed to choose? Or does GMS choose. All the letter says is that “You will receive additional conference information by July 31.”</p>
<p>^
They will be assigned to the conference that is closest to their school.</p>
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</p>
<p>I assume you meant September 17-19? ;)</p>
<p>@momfromok It depends where the scholar attends college. If they attend college on the east coast, they will be going to VA. If the school is on the west coast, they will go to San Jose. </p>
<p>Hope everyone enjoys the conference, you all will have a great experience. It’s life changing!</p>
<p>Roseabella, I am so sorry to hear what happened to your son. That is just awful, and I am sure it was devastating to your son, to you, and to the recommender as well. i am just so, so sorry. i cannot imagine how you all must feel. My heart and prayers go out to you.</p>
<p>AZScholar17 - I am now a winner, and have yet another question for you 
And thanks for answering so many questions along the way…</p>
<p>Question: I understand i won’t have to take out a Stafford loan, since Gates will cover all unmet need. However, I will be needing certain things for college (a laptop etc…) for which we do not have the money on hand. I am wondering what kind of loan, if any, I can take out to help with that. And if I do take out a loan, will that just reduce the amount Gates covers for me? I was thinking of a Stafford loan but someone told me that is paid directly to the school, not to me.</p>
<p>Southern, unfortunately you will have to cover your laptop on your own, Gates covered them until about 4 years ago. You can use what you make from your summer job, and then when you get to school, you will get your work study money to cover your personal expenses.</p>
<p>Edit: Yes, Stafford would be sent to your school, and you won’t be eligible since you will have full COA with Gates.</p>
<p>@GA2012MOM</p>
<p>What do you mean when you say you will get work study money to cover your personal expenses?</p>
<p>On your FA letter, whatever your school lists as “work study” Gates will send your school that amount (divided by semester) for you to use as your personal funds,( laundry, pizza, toiletries, movie ticket etc.) They will give that money to your school, and you request the refund check from your bursar office, deposit into your own account and use for your discrestionary purchases.</p>
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<p>Just realized what I wrote. You won’t have or be eligible for Stafford loans since Gates will cover your unmet need.</p>
<p>@GA2012MOM</p>
<p>Okay thanks! That makes sense</p>
<p>I have a question regarding whether the scholarship is taxable. I’ve read several places that, for any scholarship, the amount toward tuition and books IS NOT taxable, but the amount for room and board IS TAXABLE since that is not consdered ‘necessary’ to an education. Anyone know more about this? I also read that the school does not report it to the IRS so it is up to the student. </p>
<p>Any past gates scholars know if Gates gives each scholar a tax form each year showing a taxable amount to report? That would indicate that they (Gates) are providing that same info to the IRS. Any other knowledge in regard to this topic is appreciated.</p>