 Gates Millennium Scholars are provided with a full financial scholarship to attend any U.S. college or university, and are provided with leadership development opportunities, mentoring, as well as academic, financial and social support.The scholarship was started in 1999 as a result of a $1 billion grant from Microsoft founder Bill Gates.The program is currently administered by the United Negro College Fund and partner organizations including the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, and the American Indian Graduate Center.