Dell Scholars Program: $20K Scholarship Requirements & How to Apply

The $20K Dell Scholars Program is one of the many lucrative scholarships for seniors in high school.

What is the Dell Scholars Program?

You don’t have to be a prospective computer science major either; you just need to meet a few requirements. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds the program. Considered a last-dollar scholarship, the program not only provides a $20,000 scholarship but also offers non-financial support, including a laptop and educational counseling.

Requirements for $20K Dell Scholars Program

To qualify for the Dell Scholars Program, you must meet a few minimum requirements. You must be: • Participating in an approved Michael & Susan Dell Foundation college readiness program during your junior and senior years of high school. • Graduating at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. • Earning a minimum 2.4 GPA. • Able to demonstrate financial need. • Eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant during your first year of college. • Planning to enroll in a full-time bachelor’s degree program. Note that you do not have to be a standout student to qualify. The >Dell Scholars site emphasizes, “The Dell Scholars program places greater emphasis on your determination to succeed than your academic record and test scores.”

How to Apply for Dell Scholarships

Applying for the Dell Scholars Program is simple, though it requires quite a bit of information. In addition to submitting your personal information, you must provide the following:

High School Academic Info, GPA, and Transcript

You will need to know your class rank, GPA, and expected graduation date. Your transcript is also required as a part of the application process, which is a component that you will need to get from your school counselor.

Required College Readiness Program Participation (AVID, GEAR UP)

The application also requires information about the college readiness program you have participated in as a junior and senior. Approved programs include AVID, GEAR UP, Upward Bound, and 10,000 Degrees, totaling more than 25 college-readiness programs.

Submitting Your SAT and ACT Test Scores

Even though the Dell Scholarships are not distributed based on academic achievement, the program still collects your SAT and/or ACT scores. You can either enter all your scores or your best score.

Sharing Home, Work, and Community Involvement

The Dell Scholars Program asks about your role at home, work, and in the community, including chores or caregiver responsibilities as well as part-time jobs and community involvement. The application will also ask about your family circumstances, such as who you live with and whether your parents are married and/or employed. It will also ask whether you have other siblings in college and for demographic information.

Demonstrating Financial Need and Submitting FAFSA

Students who hope to qualify for the Dell Scholarships must demonstrate financial need. Therefore, the form asks about you and your family’s financial circumstances. You must also agree to submit your FAFSA Submission Summary by the finalist deadline.

Teacher/Counselor Recommendation Process

Finally, if you make it to the semi-finalist round, you will need a recommendation from a teacher, school counselor, administrator, or college readiness counselor. The scholarship committee will not contact your recommenders unless you progress far in the selection process. You must provide their name and contact information when you apply. For this step, it’s essential to ask your teacher or school counselor to serve as a recommender before you apply.

Dell Scholars Program Selection Process

The deadline for all applications is February 15, 2026. Dell Scholars Semi-Finalists have until May 15, 2026, to submit all necessary documents, like their SAR and letter of recommendation. Foundation leaders will announce the next class of Dell Scholars on March 1, 2026.

Apply for the Dell Scholars Program

Dell Scholars Program

Deadline: 2/15/26 Award Amount: 500 $20,000 scholarships Available To: High School Seniors The Dell Scholars Program is open to graduating high school seniors. You must have a minimum 2.4 GPA, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and demonstrate financial need to qualify for the award. You must have participated in an approved college-readiness or college-access program in grades 11 and 12. Additionally, you must plan to enter a bachelor's degree program at an accredited higher education institution in the fall immediately following high school graduation.

More Than Money: Comprehensive Dell Scholars Support

Dell Scholars Program awards offer much more value than just the $20,000 scholarship. Dell Scholars students earn textbook stipends and personalized career counseling and mentoring!