Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is currently accepting applications, specifically for Asians and Pacific Islanders, for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program for 2008-2009. 

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program was created in 1999 and is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, encouraging and allowing low income minorities to attend college.  Since its establishment in 1999, more than 11,000 scholarships have been awarded to qualified individuals. 

“I encourage all qualified high school seniors to take advantage of this grand opportunity to apply for a scholarship,” Faleomavaega said.  “Interested students can apply online at www.gmsp.org or pick up an application from my district office in Utulei.” 

Interested applicants are highly urged to apply online.  The deadline to submit an online application is January 11, 2008, at 11:59 pm EST while hardcopy or paper submissions must be postmarked by December 31, 2007.

Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, be eligible for a Pell grant, demonstrate leadership ability, and plan to enroll in a college or university as a full-time student in the fall of 2008.  In addition, they must be nominated by a principal, teacher, counselor, higher education representative, or other professional educator.

“Students are allowed to choose an area of discipline in their undergraduate program,” the Congressman says.  “The scholarship is renewable based on the student’s academic progress and timely application.”     

“Again, I encourage all eligible high school seniors to apply for a Gates Millennium scholarship.  Also, I want to encourage our sophomores and juniors in high school to prepare early for scholarship opportunities such as Gates Millennium and many other scholarships available for qualified students.  For those who seek assistance regarding the Gates Millennium Scholarship and other financial assistance for education are welcome to contact my district office in Utulei by calling 633-1372,” Faleomavaega concluded.