National College match overview
The QuestBridge National College Match can be your pathway to a top college. Through this college and scholarship application process, you can apply for free to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship.
The National College Match is a college admission and scholarship process through which high-achieving, low-income students can be admitted early with full four-year scholarships to QuestBridge college partners.
College prep scholars program (Junior Scholarship)
"Applying to college can seem daunting, and the prospect of paying for it can seem even more overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. The College Prep Scholars Program equips high-achieving high school juniors from low-income backgrounds with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to apply to top colleges."
Why apply as a junior?
"Being a College Prep Scholar is a notable distinction that shows our college partners that you are a competitive candidate for admission. In addition, your application will automatically carry over for the National College Match when you’re a senior, giving you a head start on applying for a full four-year scholarship to our college partners. College Prep Scholars are over five times more likely than other applicants to receive full four-year scholarships through the National College Match." - QuestBridge
Awards for College Prep Scholars may include:
A full scholarship to a college summer program hosted by Yale, Emory, UChicago, and more.
Quest for Excellence Awards, such as $1,000 for a new laptop or other resources to help the student enhance their college application.
Exclusive access to a QuestBridge National College Admissions Conference — an invite-only event featuring workshops and a college fair with our college partners.
Personalized college essay feedback.
Campus visits or other opportunities from QuestBridge college partners.
Specialized guidance and resources for the college application process.
Peer-to-peer support in an online community.
Questbridge Regular Decision
How It Works
If you are selected as a Finalist, you can apply through QuestBridge Regular Decision in the event that you are not matched, or chose not to rank colleges.
Finalists can begin selecting colleges to apply to through the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form and complete their applications by the colleges' Regular Decision deadlines.
You would be reviewed for admission during the colleges' normal Regular Decision timeline and receive your decision in the spring.
Benefits of QuestBridge Regular Decision
If you are selected as a Finalist, you can take advantage of these unique opportunities:
Apply to any of our college partners with no application fees.
Get another chance for admission at colleges you ranked, and add additional schools that interest you.
Stand out as a Finalist, a distinction that advantageously identifies you as a high-achieving student from a low-income background.
Receive a very generous financial aid package that will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need.
Join a community of scholars. Finalists who enroll at a college partner can access a supportive community of peers and alumni throughout college and beyond.
Please note: Because all our college partners have extremely competitive admissions processes, Finalists should also apply to a range of target and likely non-QuestBridge colleges where you are confident you can be admitted.
About us
Founded in 1994, QuestBridge is a national nonprofit based in Palo Alto, California that connects the nation’s most exceptional, low-income youth with leading colleges and opportunities. By working with these students — beginning in high school through college to their first job —QuestBridge aims to increase the percentage of talented low-income students attending the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their careers and communities.
Mission
QuestBridge designs and builds programs for talented low-income students to access and navigate exceptional educational and life opportunities.
QuestBridge recruits, develops, and supports motivated low-income students – beginning in high school through college to their early career – to be successful at America's best colleges, graduate schools, and companies.
Vision
QuestBridge envisions a world where America's leadership encompasses thoughtful and broad-minded decision-makers drawn from every economic segment of society.
QuestBridge will revolutionize the way leading colleges and universities recruit talented low-income students, and the way these students approach their educations and futures.