Bryson Austin, a senior from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, has been named a recipient of the 2021 Gates Scholarship.
The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards the scholarship to 300 students nationwide with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution. That includes tuition, fees, room, board, books and transportation.
Austin of Little Rock said he heard about the Gates Scholarship from his cousin, who was a previous recipient of the scholarship. He said the application process covered several months because it was divided into phases. Early portions of the application process included preliminary information and recommendations. It ended with applicants writing personal and professional essays.
The effort was well worth the results.
“Earning the Gates Scholarship has opened so many doors for me,” Austin said. “I no longer have to worry about college debt because the scholarship covers my need costs. I can go to and transfer to any college I want, and I won’t end up saddled with debt at the end of my education. The scholarship has given me more range in terms of where I want to go, and now all that matters is travel and living expenses.”
Austin said he hasn’t chosen where he will attend yet, but he is considering the University of Southern California, University of Arkansas, University of Michigan, University of Vermont and the University of Virginia. He said he plans to major in business administration and political science with potential minors in history and French.
He was on his way to class when he found out that he had been selected for the scholarship.
“I remember the day I got the news vividly,” he said. “I was walking out of my best friend’s room on my way to edit photos in the Mac lab for photography, and when I opened my email, the congratulations was waiting for me. I stopped, turned around and ran back to tell them that I would not be paying a cent for my education – ever. Later, I did feel numb, but I was just so glad to be unburdened and successful.”
Austin offered special thanks to his family, friends and teachers who have helped him throughout his educational career and time at ASMSA.
“(ASMSA entrepreneurship instructor) Steve Rice has been an excellent mentor and moral guide; (humanities instructor) James Katowich has been a hero and perfect instructor; and all of my friends that have stood with me through every trip and rise have made this possible. I could not be happier,” Austin said.
For more information about The Gates Scholarship, visit www.thegatesscholarship.org.