QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship

Application Opens: Late Summer
Application Deadline: September 30

The QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship is one of the most generous and prestigious scholarships available to high-achieving, low-income students in the United States. It provides a full four-year scholarship that covers:

• Tuition and fees

• Room and board

• Books and supplies

• Travel expenses

• And, in many cases, a personal allowance

This scholarship is offered through QuestBridge’s partnership with 55 top-tier colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools, Stanford, MIT, Duke, and other elite institutions.

How the National College Match Works

What makes QuestBridge unique is its "match" process. Students can apply early to up to 15 participating colleges by ranking them in order of preference. If one of your ranked schools decides to admit you through the Match, you’ll receive a full scholarship from that school with no student loans. If matched, your acceptance is binding (similar to early decision), so it’s important to rank only schools you’d be excited to attend.

If you don’t match, you can still be considered for admission and financial aid through QuestBridge Regular Decision, a non-binding process open to finalists.

Who is Eligible?

To apply, you must:

• Be a high school senior currently attending high school in the U.S. (citizenship or residency requirements vary slightly by college)

• Plan to enroll in college in the fall after graduation

• Have strong academic achievement: Most finalists have primarily A’s in challenging courses such as Honors, AP, IB, or dual enrollment

• Demonstrate significant financial need: Most finalists come from households earning under $65,000 per year for a family of four, with little to no assets. However, there is no strict income cutoff. Students from slightly higher-income backgrounds with high financial need are still encouraged to apply.

QuestBridge values academic excellence, leadership, resilience, and a commitment to community, so if you’ve overcome obstacles and maintained strong grades, this could be a great opportunity.

What You’ll Need to Submit

The application includes:

• Academic and personal background information

• Financial information for your household (such as tax returns and income details)

• A personal essay and several short answer questions

• Two letters of recommendation from core academic subject teachers

• Your high school transcript

• A School Report from your counselor

• An optional but recommended School Profile

• Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, or English proficiency exams), if available. Testing is optional, so only submit scores that strengthen your application

Tips for Applicants

• Start early: The application is extensive and reflective, so give yourself plenty of time to brainstorm and revise your essays.

• Be authentic: QuestBridge values your personal story, so be honest about your experiences, responsibilities, and goals.

• Ask for letters early: Give your teachers and counselor time to write thoughtful recommendations.

• Use QuestBridge’s resources: Their website offers webinars, examples, and detailed FAQs that can help guide you through the process.

This is a life-changing opportunity, more than just a scholarship, the QuestBridge Match opens doors to some of the best colleges in the country and connects you with a supportive community of scholars and mentors.

To learn more or to start your application, visit the official QuestBridge website at www.questbridge.org.

Stay tuned for my upcoming post about the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program, which helps juniors prepare for this scholarship process ahead of time!