Dell Scholars Program Application Guide
The Dell Scholars Program helps college students achieve their educational goals by providing substantial financial and professional support during their undergraduate career. The Dell Scholarship is highly competitive and can require as much effort as the college admissions process. Designed for determined students who qualify for significant financial aid, it’s one of the most prestigious need-based scholarships out there.
Navigating the Dell Scholarship application can be a challenge; however, this guide is here to help! We’ll cover the benefits of the Dell Scholarship, the Dell Scholarship requirements, and tips to help boost your Dell Scholarship application.
This guide will also cover the unique aspects of the Dell Scholarship and what sets it apart from other scholarship programs. And, we’ll go over several perks that Dell Scholars enjoy within the program. Additionally, we’ll break down college readiness programs and why the Dell Scholarship requires its recipients to participate in one.
Moreover, we’ll review how to apply for the Dell Scholars Program, and how to navigate the Dell Scholarship online application. If you’re interested in learning more about the Dell Scholars Program, keep reading this guide!
What is the Dell Scholars Program?
The Dell Scholars Program is administered and funded by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. As one of many programs under the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Dell Scholarship aims to support low-income college students. The Dell Scholars Program is focused on helping students complete college, not just gain admission.
The Dell Scholarship is for students entering a four-year bachelor’s degree program at an accredited US college or university. While the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has global programs, the Dell Scholars Program is based in the US. The Dell Scholars Program typically accepts around 500 students from across the country per year.
Dell Scholars Program Benefits
How much does the Dell Scholarship provide to students? The Dell Scholars Program offers a $20,000 scholarship, usually awarded in $5,000 increments each year. The Dell Scholarship can be used for any educational purpose, including for tuition, books, room and board, and other educational expenses.
Oftentimes, the Dell Scholarship can be used on top of other financial aid to help cover any additional costs. For example, at UT Austin, the Dell Scholarship is awarded in addition to the school-awarded grants and scholarships.
Dell Scholars gain access to professional networking opportunities, financial support, and key technology to help them complete their college education. Dell Scholars get a laptop and textbook credits through the program as well.
In addition to technology support, the Dell Scholars Program also provides academic advising, success coaching, and wellness resources. The Dell Scholars Program is much more than just a scholarship; it’s a program dedicated to providing support beyond just financial awards. By providing tangible academic and professional support, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation supports students through graduation and beyond.
Is the Dell Scholarship merit-based?
The Dell Scholars Program is not a traditional merit-based scholarship program, as its primary focus is helping low-income students complete college. This means that financial need is an important factor in the Dell Scholarship application. Students must be Pell eligible, meaning they qualify for a federal Pell grant via the FAFSA.
In addition to financial need, applicants must demonstrate a “strong sense of purpose” and other characteristics defined by the Dell Scholars Program. The Dell Scholars Program is looking for students who have a career mindset, strong self-motivation, and strength of character.
The Dell Scholarship application is holistic and considers a wide range of factors. While your grades and academics will play a factor, the minimum GPA for the Dell Scholarship is a 2.4. You may notice that this is much lower than most merit-based scholarships. Don’t think that only straight A students are eligible — if you meet the Dell Scholarship requirements, you should apply!
Dell Scholarship Requirements and Eligibility
The Dell Scholarship requirements are unique and differ from many other scholarship programs. Firstly, students must enroll in a four-year bachelor’s degree program right after graduating from an accredited high school. Students must also have a 2.4 minimum GPA, demonstrate financial need, and qualify for a federal Pell grant.
What is a federal Pell grant? The federal Pell grant is a form of need-based financial aid administered by the US federal government. Students whose parents earn below a specific income threshold will qualify for the federal Pell grant. Many need-based scholarships will use Pell grant eligibility as a requirement.
Dell Scholars also must demonstrate a strong sense of character and leadership. Many students in the program have overcome adversity and challenges that have influenced who they are today.
Additionally, students must participate in a college readiness program approved by the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation in junior and senior year. This requires students to plan ahead before applying to the Dell Scholars Program. If you aren’t sure what college readiness programs are, we’ll break them down in the next section!
Exploring College Readiness Programs
What is a college readiness program? College readiness programs provide students with extracurricular support to help prepare them for the college application process and beyond. Typically, these programs operate after school and allow students to explore their college options.
The Dell Scholars Program requires participation in college readiness programs as they have a significant impact on preparing students for college. Remember that the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation’s focus on college completion and holistic support. Therefore, ensuring students are as prepared as they can be before entering college is crucial to the foundation’s mission.
The Dell Scholarship has certain criteria for college readiness programs, including monthly meetings, data-backed practices, and financial aid education. These programs can help you stay on track with your assignments, explore different universities, and prepare you for the SAT/ACT. Some even help you file your FAFSA, and provide support and guidance through the application process.
Participating in a college readiness program can be a great way to set yourself up for success once you graduate. Wondering how to get a scholarship? College readiness programs can help you find and apply to programs like the Dell Scholarship. They can also help you find universities and majors that fit your goals as well as keep track of deadlines.
The Dell Scholars Program requires students to participate in one of several pre-approved college readiness programs. Some examples include GEAR Up, AVID, Bottom Line, and Upward Bound. The full list of qualified programs can be found here. Check with your school’s guidance office to see if any of these programs are available.
Dell Scholarship Online Application
Most scholarships for college have an online application, and the Dell Scholars program is no exception. Students can find the Dell Scholarship application here. Be sure to note the Dell Scholarship deadline as you prepare to apply.
The Dell Scholarship application requires students to first submit some basic information. High school grades, participation in a college readiness program, and life outside the classroom are usually on the application. With the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation’s focus on personal character and perseverance, applicants’ actions and values are important. The initial Dell Scholarship application works to determine who is best for the Dell Scholars program.
After the initial Dell Scholarship application is submitted, finalists are then notified in the spring. If you’re selected as a Dell Scholarship finalist, you’ll have to submit some additional materials.
Additional Application Materials
Letter of recommendation
This will come from the recommender you list on your initial Dell Scholarship application. Be sure to have your letter of recommendation drafted before the deadline, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
FAFSA
You will have to submit a copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary if selected as a Dell Scholars finalist. As with many need-based scholarships, the Dell Scholars program uses the FAFSA to ensure students qualify for financial aid. Your FAFSA Submission Summary will need to demonstrate that you are eligible for the federal Pell grant.
Official transcript
As grades are initially self-reported on the Dell Scholarship application, finalists need to submit an official high school transcript. You can get a copy of your official high school transcript from your guidance office.
Additional application questions
Finalists will need to answer some additional questions to ensure they should earn the Dell Scholars program. These questions may ask applicants for reflections about their personal background, characteristics, and life experiences. Be sure to work on your responses carefully — this will have the biggest impact on your Dell Scholarship application!
After another round of review, the winners of the Dell Scholarship are announced in June. With such a lengthy application process, it can be hard to keep the momentum going. Though given all the benefits Dell Scholars receive, it’s understandable that the application process has so many steps. Be sure to stay organized and on top of your deadlines so that nothing falls through the cracks.
What is the Dell Scholarship deadline?
The Dell Scholarship deadline has several different deadlines, depending on how far you advance in the application process. Here is an overview of of the Dell Scholarship application timeline:
December 15: Application opens
February 15: Application deadline
March 1: Finalists announced
May 15: Finalist Requirements Deadline
June 1: Dell Scholars Announced
While this timeline provides specific dates, check the official Dell Scholarship website for the official Dell Scholarship deadline. With the first deadline in early spring, it can be easy to wait on preparing your materials until then. However, as with other scholarship and university applications, it’s important to prepare your materials early. Giving yourself enough time to hone your application will ensure you’re submitting the best possible version!
Should I apply to the Dell Scholars Program?
If you’re wondering if you should apply to the Dell Scholars Program, review the eligibility criteria. Do you fit what the program is looking for? If you demonstrate financial need, and have participated in a college readiness program since the 11th grade, you’re likely eligible.
Some students may be hesitant to apply to scholarships for college because their grades aren’t as high as they’d like. However, the Dell Scholars Program has a 2.4 minimum GPA requirement. This makes it a great choice for students who may have struggled with their grades in high school.
Additionally, students may feel overwhelmed with all the application deadlines and requirements that come with their senior year. Applying to scholarships for college can take extra time, but students are typically able to re-use admissions essays for scholarship applications. With proper planning and time management, many students are able to balance both admissions applications and scholarship applications.
If you aren’t confident that you would be a competitive applicant, it’s okay! The only way to know for sure is to submit an application. You never know how you compare with other applicants, and your application may stand out for any single reason.
If you’re serious about completing a four-year degree and meet the requirements, you should apply to the Dell Scholars Program. If you’re researching how to get a scholarship, the only way to actually get scholarships is to apply for them. In the next section, we’ll give you some tips on how to apply for the Dell Scholarship. They’re widely applicable, so keep these in mind for all the scholarships you plan to apply to!
Tips for applying to the Dell Scholars Program
As you prepare for your senior year, it’s important to keep track of all the schools and scholarships on your lists. If you’re planning to apply to the Dell Scholars Program, we’ve compiled some tips for you to keep in mind:
5 Dell Scholars Program Application Tips
1. Connect with your counselor.
Your counselor will be instrumental in helping you apply for college and scholarships. For that reason, it’s a good idea to connect with them at the beginning of your senior year. Let them know you’re planning to apply to the Dell Scholars Program, and outline the requirements and timeline. Letting them know early can make it easier for them to assemble the materials you need on time.
Often, counselors are helping a lot of different students through this process, so it’s important for you to stay in contact. Be helpful and ask for their help well before any pressing deadlines, and make sure they’re aware of your plans early. Dell Scholars are selected based on their ambition and determination, so practice it. Be proactive and considerate in asking for help when you need it.
If you can, schedule a meeting with your counselor the first week of your senior year. Discuss with them what colleges you plan to apply to, and what scholarship programs interest you. Meet with them regularly throughout your senior year, and keep them in the loop. They are there to help you!
2. Choose a strong recommender.
Your recommender for the Dell Scholarship is a huge part of the application process. It’s important to select a recommender that can speak to your strengths as an applicant and can highlight your personal character. Many students will select a teacher, a coach, or another mentor — the exact position they hold isn’t paramount. The most important thing is that they can speak to who you are as a person. They should be able to demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the Dell Scholars Program.
Don’t just pick a recommender because you did well in their class, or excelled in their sport. Your recommender should be able to effectively communicate why you deserve the Dell Scholarship. After all, the program focuses on personal character and your ability to overcome obstacles. To be a strong applicant, it’s important to have someone who knows your personal background and story.
The only requirements are that the recommender have access to your academic records, and that they are over 21 years old. The Dell Scholarship suggests that your recommender be able to provide both personal and academic information about you. Someone like a teacher you are close with, your counselor, or your college readiness mentor may be a good fit. Think through your options carefully!
3. Be clear about your college plan.
It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what college you want to attend, or even what major you want to study. But it’s important that you’re clear about your plan to attend college. A major requirement for the Dell Scholars Program is that students plan to attend and graduate from a four-year degree program. Make it clear in your application that this is one of your goals.
If you’ve already selected a major, talk about how a four-year degree will help you achieve your career goals. Discuss the benefits of a four-year degree and how you’ll utilize the resources on your campus. You may even talk about some of your prospective career paths.
If you aren’t sure what you want to study, you can speak more broadly about what attending college would mean for you. Talk about having the opportunity to explore your interests and how you’ll involve yourself in your campus community. What do you hope your college experience will bring you?
Students who are serious about attending a four-year degree program are top candidates for the Dell Scholarship– so, show that you’re serious. The better you’re able to communicate your goals and ambitions, the stronger your application will be.
4. Double-check your information.
This tip goes for all applications you plan to submit during your senior year: check, check, check your work! While making a simple mistake in an essay probably won’t automatically disqualify you, take the time to proofread. Ensure the correct information is on your applications — sometimes one simple mistake can be the end of you. Overall, ensure that you’re submitting your best work possible.
If you can, schedule an application review with your college readiness program or guidance counselor. Having another person review your application materials is a great way to get feedback on your application and check for mistakes.
While all aspects of your application are important, it’s most crucial that you accurately report your grades and school contact information. You don’t want to misreport the contact information for your recommender, or school counselor. Such mistakes will prevent the scholarship agency from verifying your information, and could lead to an automatic rejection.
Start your Dell Scholarship application early, so that you have time to proofread everything well before the deadline!
5. Stay organized under deadlines.
This is arguably the most important tip when applying to the Dell Scholars Program, or any other scholarships. With so many deadlines to keep track of, as well as your school assignments, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If organization and preparation aren’t your strengths, deadlines can creep up on you — adding more stress and last-minute scrambling.
The best way to stay organized is to make a plan at the start of your senior year. Note all the major deadlines you’ll have to meet, as well as the requirements for each college and scholarship. Work on perfecting your essays at the beginning of the year, so you can use them throughout the application cycle.
Schedule check-ins with your mentors to make sure you’re staying on track, and ask for help when you need it. Throughout it all, it’s also important to prioritize rest during this time as much as you can. After all, it’s much easier staying organized when you feel your best.
Determine what organization system works best for you — some students prefer a calendar, others prefer a deadline tracking system. Try to test out a few different methods over the summer, so you can start your senior year prepared and ready.
Dell Scholars Program – Takeaways
The Dell Scholars Program is a great opportunity for low-income students to get crucial financial and academic support during their undergraduate career. With the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation’s focus on college completion and holistic support, Dell Scholars receive a $20,000 scholarship. But more than that, they get academic and professional networks, and technology support to help them throughout all four years of college.
The Dell Scholars Program has some requirements that are different from other scholarship programs. Students must be Pell eligible, have at least a 2.4 GPA, and must have participated in a college readiness program. As the Dell Scholars Program focuses on ensuring students graduate college, they want to set up their scholarship recipients for success.
Are you interested in applying for the Dell Scholars Program, or in learning how to get a scholarship for college? CollegeAdvisor is here to help! We have many different guides and resources to help you navigate all aspects of the college application process. You can read our guide on Scholarships and Grants, as well as our guide on How to Pay for College. You can also watch our webinar on Finding and Applying for Scholarships.
No matter where you are in the college application process, CollegeAdvisor can help you achieve your goals. Be sure to schedule your free consultation today!
This article was written by Jessica Klein. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.
