Two GCPS seniors earn Gates Scholarships

     Two Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) seniors have earned the opportunity to go to college for free thanks to their hard work and dedication. The students are among a select group of 300 students nationwide named 2025 Gates Scholarship recipients. The honorees are:

Gates Scholar	High School
Zavish Abbasi	Discovery
Milkyas Tewolde	Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

 

The Gates Scholarship is a transformative opportunity that removes financial barriers to college for high-potential, low-income minority students. Funded by The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this last-dollar scholarship is awarded to 300 students annually. It covers the full cost of attendance not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by FAFSA or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. This comprehensive support includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs.

The Gates Scholarship goes beyond financial support. It is a comprehensive program that ensures Scholars have access to the resources and services they need from their first to last day of classes through graduation and the transition to their chosen careers. This includes various online support services—career services, mentoring, leadership development, wellness, and knowledge building—tailored to help them excel in their degree programs, graduate, and successfully transition to their chosen careers.

This scholarship program is based on evidence that by eliminating the financial barriers to college, an all-expenses-paid scholarship can enable high-potential, low-income minority students to excel in their coursework, graduate from college, and continue to be leaders throughout their lives.

Gates Scholars have a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) and an outstanding high school academic record (in the top 10% of their graduating class). In addition, they must have demonstrated leadership ability and exceptional personal success skills.