\n\tCalifornia is represented this year by 196 Gates scholars, including 12 from Orange County.<\/font><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n\tCalifornia is represented this year by 196 Gates scholars, including 12 from Orange County.<\/font><\/p>\n \n\tThe Gates Scholars from the district, with their college choice and major, are Michael Nguyen (Brown University – English and economics) of Garden Grove High School; Christopher Nguyen (UC Berkeley – materials science and engineering) of La Quinta High School; Kathy Tran (UC Berkeley or UCLA – political science) and Montserrat Reyes (UC Irvine – political science) of Los Amigos High School; Franklin Ly (UC Santa Barbara – mechanical engineering) and Andy Vu (Stanford University – physics and pre-med) of Rancho Alamitos High School; and Ryan Huynh (UC Berkeley – business) of Santiago High School.<\/font><\/p>\n \n\tThe honor guarantees the seven students will have their undergraduate and graduate college expenses paid debt free, including all tuition, fees, textbooks and supplies, and housing. With their new scholarships, the seniors can focus on their challenging college studies without the worry of the formidable costs of attending a prestigious university.<\/font><\/p>\n \n\tThe scholarship program was initially funded in 1999 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Bill Gates is cofounder of Microsoft), with a $1 billion grant for “highly motivated, low-income minority students.” Candidates, nominated by educators, must have at least a 3.3 grade-point average, meet federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria, and have demonstrated leadership through community service or other extracurricular activities. The scholarships, with no financial cap, provide funding to supplement financial need not covered by other sources.<\/font><\/p>\n \n\tThe program also provides leadership development opportunities to ensure that scholars graduate prepared to become strong leaders in their professions and in their communities.<\/font><\/p>\n \n\tThe scholarships are administered by the United Negro College Fund in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars, and the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund.<\/font><\/p>\n\n