Good news for high school seniors in the U.S.! Applications for QuestBridge Scholarships 2025 | USA are now open. In this article, we’ll explain the scholarship program, its benefits, and provide a step-by-step guide to the application process.
Overview of QuestBridge Scholarships 2025-2026
QuestBridge Scholarships offer fully funded undergraduate scholarships to American students. These scholarships cover the full cost of a four-year college education, valued at over $200,000, making higher education more accessible to high-achieving, low-income students.
QuestBridge partners with 40 prestigious U.S. colleges and universities through its National College Match Scholarship, covering tuition, room, board, travel, and books—without requiring parental contributions or student loans. In some cases, student contributions through work-study or personal savings may be required.
Additionally, the Texas Match the Promise Foundation supports students through matching scholarships and tuition grants via the Texas Tuition Promise Fund, providing tuition units that cover undergraduate tuition and fees at eligible public colleges in Texas.
Scholarship Levels
- Matching Scholarship:
- Up to $500 in tuition unit purchases matched by the foundation.
- Families earning $75,000 or less receive a 2:1 match, while all others receive a 1:1 match.
- Promise Scholarship:
- A one-time grant of tuition units valued at $2,000.
- The top 150 applicants receive Matching Scholarships, and the five highest-scoring applicants receive Promise Scholarships.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate
- Institution(s): 40 prestigious U.S. colleges and universities
- Location: USA
- Program Duration: Four years
- Application Deadline: September 26, 2024
Colleges Participating in National College Match
QuestBridge partners with several top-ranked U.S. colleges, including:
- Amherst College
- Brown University
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
- Columbia University
- Duke University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- University of Chicago
- Yale University
For a complete list of partner schools, visit the official QuestBridge website.
Scholarship Coverage
QuestBridge Scholarships provide recipients with:
- Full coverage of tuition, room and board, books, supplies, and travel expenses at any partner college.
- No parental contribution or student loans are required, although work-study or student savings may be expected.
Eligibility Criteria for QuestBridge Scholarships
To be eligible for the QuestBridge Scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Language: English
- Eligible Countries: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or high school students (regardless of citizenship) attending high school in the U.S.
- Academic Requirements:
- Primarily A’s in challenging courses (Honors, AP, or IB).
- SAT/PSAT scores above 1310 or ACT scores above 28.
- Top 5-10% of the graduating class.
- Strong writing skills, intellectual curiosity, and determination as demonstrated in essays and recommendation letters.
These benchmarks are not strict, and each application is reviewed in its unique context.
How to Apply for QuestBridge Scholarships
To apply for the QuestBridge Scholarship, follow these steps:
- Complete the National College Match Online Application:
- Includes two essays and short-answer questions.
- Submit Required Materials:
- Two letters of recommendation from teachers in core academic subjects.
- A Secondary School Report from your high school counselor.
- A high school transcript.
- SAT or ACT scores are highly recommended.
- Ranking and Selection:
- In September, applicants submit their completed application.
- In October, students rank up to 12 college partners for consideration.
- Finalists are notified in late October and must submit additional materials to the colleges they have ranked.
- In December, students who are matched with a college are awarded a full four-year scholarship!
Students who are not selected as finalists or do not match with a college can reapply through QuestBridge’s Regular Decision process, which does not require application fees.
Conclusion
The QuestBridge Scholarship provides an incredible opportunity for high school seniors to attend some of the top colleges in the U.S. on a fully funded scholarship. If you’re a motivated student with a strong academic record and financial need, don’t miss this life-changing chance.
