Your college education could be $20,000 cheaper if you win the Dell Scholarship. So that’s pretty awesome.
But wait, there’s more!
The Dell Scholars Program also helps recipients succeed in college by providing:
Annual book credits to buy textbooks
Academic advising and career coaching
A high-quality Dell laptop with a four-year warranty
Free or discounted access to teletherapy, legal, financial, and health services
Sounds good? Sounds good!
So how do you apply for the Dell Scholarship? When should you apply? Are you even eligible? What can you do to give yourself the best shot at being chosen for the Dell Scholars Program?
That and more is what we’ll cover below.
Let’s dive in!
What is the Dell Scholars Program?
The Dell Scholars Program is an initiative of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and it aims to support ambitious students navigating higher education by providing financial, academic, and emotional support.
Every year, the program awards 500 students from across the country with a $20,000 scholarship and a range of additional support services, such as academic advising and access to free teletherapy services.
Recipients of the Dell Scholarship can use the funds for
tuition
room and board
student fees
graduate school
loan repayment
study abroad
and/or internship stipends.
Brief history of the Dell Scholarship and Scholars Program
Since the program began in 2004, the Dell Scholars Program has supported approximately 5,000 students. The program aims to help underserved and low-income students who face significant personal, financial, or academic challenges achieve their dream of earning a college degree.
Check out these student profiles to get an idea of what type of students the Dell Scholars Program looks for and how those students take advantage of everything offered by the program:
Before you apply, you should obviously also check the eligibility requirements and application guidelines. Which are these:
Dell Scholarship Eligibility, Requirements, and Guidelines
To be eligible for the Dell Scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
Be actively involved in an approved college readiness program during both your junior and senior years of high school.
Be on track to graduate from an accredited high school during the current school year.
Show evidence of financial need.
Qualify for a Federal Pell Grant during your first year of college.
Intend to enroll full-time at an accredited college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree in the fall immediately after graduating high school.
Have a minimum GPA of 2.4.
How to apply for the Dell Scholarship
Applying for the Dell Scholarship is a straightforward process, but following each step carefully is essential.
Step 1 - Ensure you’re participating in an approved college readiness program
One of the key eligibility requirements for the Dell Scholarship is participation in an approved college readiness program. That means you can only apply if you’ve been actively involved in one of these programs during your junior and senior years of high school.
So, before you begin the application, please check this list of all the programs currently approved for the Dell Scholars Program.
Step 2 - Complete the online application
The Dell Scholarship application covers several key areas to help the selection committee understand your background, academic achievements, and personal circumstances. Here’s what you can expect to provide:
Personal Information: Basic details about yourself, including your name, address, and contact information.
Emergency Contact Information: Details for someone the program can contact in case of an emergency.
High School Information:
Information about your current high school, including its name and location.
Self-reported academic history, such as your GPA and coursework.
Details about the college readiness program you’re participating in.
Responsibilities: A summary of your responsibilities at home, such as caregiving, chores, or other household duties, as well as any work experience, community involvement, or volunteer activities.
Financial Information: Basic financial details to demonstrate your need for assistance. If you’re chosen as a semifinalist, you’ll need to submit your FAFSA to confirm Pell Grant eligibility.
Family and Home Life: Information about your parents, guardians, or caregivers, as well as insights into your living situation and home environment.
Recommender Contact Information: Provide contact details for someone who can vouch for you both personally and academically. This recommender will only be contacted if you’re selected as a semifinalist.
View a sample of the Dell Scholars application.
Step 3 - Submit additional materials if selected as semifinalist
If you’re chosen as a semifinalist, you’ll need to provide a few additional documents to complete your application. These include:
A current copy of your high school transcript to verify your academic performance.
A complete Student Aid Report (SAR) from your FAFSA to confirm your financial need and Pell Grant eligibility.
An online recommendation from the contact you listed in your application, providing insight into your character and academic abilities.
Ensure these materials are accurate and submitted on time to keep your application moving forward.
Dell Scholarship application timeline
When should you complete steps two and three? Here’s the general application timeline for the Dell Scholars Program:
October 1: Application opens
December 1: Application closes
Mid-December: Semifinalists announced
End of January: Semifinalist materials due
Mid-March: Dell Scholarship recipients announced
Application tips for the Dell Scholarship
To give yourself the best chance of being selected, consider the following four tips while completing your application.
Tip 1 - Start your application early
The application requires detailed information about your academic history, responsibilities, and finances. You may need to track down transcripts, financial documents, or details about your college readiness program.
So, give yourself enough time to gather the required materials. This will also allow you to address any technical issues or missing information.
Tip 2 - Select a strong recommender
It’s essential to choose someone who knows you well academically and personally to write your recommendation letter. You should also give them enough context about the scholarship to write a meaningful recommendation if you’re a semifinalist.
For example, you might share a copy of your college personal statement or a document highlighting the challenges and achievements you want them to emphasize.
Here’s a helpful resource: How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation.
Tip 3 - Proofread your application
Before pressing submit, make sure to review your responses for clarity, accuracy, and grammar. Errors can make your application seem rushed.
Tip 4 - Be prepared for next steps
If selected as a semifinalist, have your FAFSA completed and transcripts ready to submit before the deadline.
Final thoughts
The Dell Scholars Program is a fantastic opportunity for students who have overcome challenges and demonstrated a commitment to their education.
If selected, you’d receive a $20,000 scholarship to pay for tuition, books, housing, or other college-related expenses. You’d also get access to resources like a dedicated support network, a Dell laptop, and a $500 annual stipend for textbooks.
The application is also fairly straightforward, so it’s worth applying if you meet the eligibility requirements. Of course, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be selected. Competition for the Dell Scholarship is stiff, but the potential rewards make it well worth the effort!
You might also want to check out other scholarships for underserved and low-income students, such as:
Want to learn how to put together a winning scholarship application? Read this guide next.
Ameer Drane is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy
