USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Pre-University Vermont the USA

Richard T Gates Engineering Scholarship 2027

Deadline February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern 143 days left · Hosted by Richard T. Gates Engineering and Technology Endowed Challenge (VSAC) · Published

The Richard T. Gates Engineering and Technology Endowed Challenge Scholarship steers up to $4,000 toward ABET-accredited engineering or technology bachelor degrees for students tied to Vermont by birth or parent residency. Current high school seniors at a Windham County high school or Springfield High School may apply when they show academic achievement and financial need. VSAC requires the Unified Scholarship Application with ID GATES, FAFSA, one non-relative recommendation, essay #1, transcript, and birth certificate. The fund may renew for up to three additional years when you stay eligible. VSAC estimated about twenty-seven applicants for one award in recent booklets.

May renew 3 years
Up to $4,000
Engineering or tech
ABET B.S.
VSAC deadline
Feb 11, 2027
High school senior
Windham / Springfield
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Richard T. Gates Engineering Challenge Scholarship?

Richard T. Gates left an endowed challenge fund so Windham County and Springfield students could afford ABET engineering degrees without leaving Vermont identity behind. Birth in Vermont or Vermont parents is a hard gate, and so is the ABET program requirement. Generic "engineering technology" certificates at non-ABET schools will not fit.

Renewability up to three extra years makes this more than a one-semester boost if you keep grades and major alignment. Treat the birth certificate and parent residency paperwork as seriously as the essay, because missing documents knock applicants out before committees read a single paragraph about robotics club.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Born in Vermont or Vermont parent residency
    You must have been born in Vermont or have parent(s) who are legal residents of Vermont when you apply.
  • ✓
    Windham County or Springfield High senior
    Be a current high school senior attending a Windham County high school or Springfield High School.
  • ✓
    ABET engineering or technology B.S. plan
    Seek a bachelor of science in engineering or technology at a program accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
  • ✓
    Academic achievement
    Demonstrate academic achievement through your transcript and essay. Selection lists achievement as a factor.
  • ✓
    Financial need
    File FAFSA and show need. Need appears alongside recommendation quality and essay strength in selection criteria.
  • ✓
    Title IV college attendance
    Plan to attend an accredited school approved for federal Title IV funding such as Pell Grants or Direct Loans.
What you get

Benefits

  • Initial award Up to $4,000
  • Renewability Up to three additional years when eligible
  • Selection Achievement, need, letter, essay
  • Endowment caveat VSAC cannot guarantee amount yearly
  • Non-ABET programs Not eligible
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Unified Scholarship Application with GATES
    Enter scholarship ID GATES on the USA in MyVSAC for 2027-2028.
  • ✓
    FAFSA
    Submit FAFSA for the award year. GATES lists FAFSA among required documents.
  • ✓
    Recommendation letter #1 (non-relative)
    Provide one non-relative letter from a teacher, counselor, employer, or mentor who can speak to engineering readiness.
  • ✓
    Essay #1 (general essay)
    Complete VSAC general essay #1 explaining your engineering path and Vermont ties.
  • ✓
    High school transcript
    Upload a transcript showing courses and GPA that support ABET engineering admission.
  • ✓
    Birth certificate
    Submit a birth certificate to document Vermont birth or support parent residency documentation as the booklet requires.
Step by step

How to apply

Search abet.org for your intended engineering or technology B.S. program before you list it on the USA.
Scan documents early. Missing birth certificates delay VSAC routing to the Gates committee.
Choose a recommender who saw your math, physics, or shop work and can tie it to engineering discipline.
Add GATES in section VI of the USA alongside any other eligible VSAC funds.
Upload transcript, essay, letter, FAFSA, and birth certificate by 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
143 days left
Oct 1, 2026
USA opens for 2027-2028 VSAC scholarships.
Fall 2026
Seniors confirm ABET college list and request recommendation letters.
Jan 2027
Verify GATES uploads show complete in MyVSAC.
Feb 11, 2027
Unified deadline for USA and all required documents.
Spring 2027
Committee review and recipient selection.
Fall 2027
Initial award disbursed; renewal rules apply for later years.
Questions

FAQ

What VSAC ID is used for the Gates Engineering Challenge Scholarship?

Enter GATES on the Unified Scholarship Application. The ID appears above the Richard T. Gates description in the VSAC booklet.

Which high schools qualify for the Gates scholarship?

Current seniors at Windham County high schools or Springfield High School who meet birth or parent residency rules.

Does the Gates scholarship require an ABET major?

Yes. You must seek a bachelor of science in engineering or technology at an ABET-accredited program.

Can the Gates award renew?

VSAC lists renewability for up to three additional years when you continue to meet fund rules and academic progress expectations.

How much is the Gates Engineering Challenge Scholarship?

One scholarship up to $4,000 in recent VSAC booklets, subject to endowment yield limits.

When is the Gates scholarship deadline?

February 11, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern together with other VSAC assisted scholarships.

Why does Gates require a birth certificate?

The fund verifies Vermont birth or parent residency ties listed in eligibility rules.

How competitive is the Gates scholarship?

VSAC estimated about twenty-seven applicants for one award recently. Strong STEM transcripts and a clear engineering essay help.

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Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.

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