{"id":104656,"date":"2026-06-25T15:39:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T10:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seminarsonly.com?p=5010"},"modified":"2026-06-25T17:14:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T11:44:39","slug":"dell-scholars-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seminarsonly.com\/news\/dell-scholars-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Dell scholarship: $20,000 plus support for students who beat the odds"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By the Scholarship editorial desk  ·  Last updated 25 June 2026  ·  Verified against official program sources  ·  4 min read<\/p>\n

The Dell scholarship, formally the Dell Scholars Program from the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, rewards grit over perfection. It is built for low-income students who have pushed through obstacles, and it pairs $20,000 with years of practical support designed to get them to graduation.<\/p>\n

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Quick answer<\/div>\n
The Dell scholarship awards $20,000 to 500 graduating high school seniors a year, plus a laptop, textbook credits, emergency aid, advising, and free teletherapy. You need a 2.4 GPA, Pell Grant eligibility, plans for a full-time bachelor’s degree, and participation in an approved college-readiness program in grades 11 and 12. The 2026 deadline was 15 February 2026.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
On this page<\/span>Eligibility and award<\/a>  |  Deadlines<\/a>  |  How to apply<\/a>  |  Documents<\/a>  |  Selection and renewal<\/a>  |  Official link<\/a>  |  Trust notes<\/a><\/div>\n

Core eligibility and award details<\/h2>\n

Beyond the flexible $20,000 that can cover tuition and housing, Dell Scholars receive a laptop, book credits, emergency funds, academic and career advising, and free teletherapy plus discounted legal, financial, and health services. The program emphasises determination over test scores, and supports scholars through their full undergraduate journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Key detail<\/th>\nWhat to know<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Award<\/td>\n$20,000, plus laptop, credits and support<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recipients<\/td>\n500 per year<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who applies<\/td>\nGraduating high school seniors<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
GPA<\/td>\n2.4 minimum<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Need<\/td>\nPell Grant eligible, demonstrate financial need<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Required<\/td>\nApproved college-readiness program in grades 11 and 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Dell Scholars Program began in 2004 and has supported thousands of students, with a focus on college completion rather than access alone. The $20,000 is flexible and can cover tuition or housing, and it comes with a laptop, textbook credits, emergency aid, advising, and free teletherapy. The foundation states plainly that determination matters more than grades or test scores, which shapes what reviewers look for.<\/p>\n

Deadlines and timeline<\/h2>\n

The application deadline falls in mid-February. For the 2026 cycle it was 15 February 2026, with finalist documents (FAFSA Submission Summary and transcript) due by 15 May 2026 and new scholars announced around 1 March. The next cycle will follow a similar mid-February deadline, so prepare materials over the prior summer and autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Stage<\/th>\nWhen<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Application deadline<\/td>\nMid-February (e.g. 15 Feb)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scholars announced<\/td>\nAround 1 March<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Finalist documents due<\/td>\nMid-May (FSS and transcript)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Funds disbursed<\/td>\nBefore the fall semester<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How to apply, step by step<\/h2>\n
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  1. Confirm you took part in an approved college-readiness program in grades 11 and 12.<\/li>\n
  2. Check you meet the 2.4 GPA and Pell eligibility requirements.<\/li>\n
  3. Complete the application with your background, responsibilities, and challenges.<\/li>\n
  4. List a recommender, who provides the required online recommendation.<\/li>\n
  5. If named a finalist, submit your FAFSA Submission Summary and official transcript by the May deadline.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Required documents<\/h2>\n