Milken Scholars
Scholarship Sponsored by Milken Family Foundation
Overview
The Milken Scholars Program, through partnerships with college counselors and other high school educators in Los Angeles County, New York City, and Washington, D.C., seeks exceptional students who will complete high school by June 2026. Candidates are put forward by their schools and evaluated against a set of academic, civic, and personal criteria.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Nominations to the Program are based on the following standards:
- Demonstrated leadership and consistent involvement in community service.
- Experience facing financial or other significant obstacles.
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or deferred action status under DACA.
- Acceptance to a four‑year college or university before the Program’s final selection.
- A minimum unweighted GPA of 3.6 (or 90%).
- One of the following academic benchmarks: SAT superscore of at least 1350 OR ACT composite superscore of at least 29 OR Advanced Placement exam(s) with scores of at least 3 OR being on track to earn an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma OR being on track to complete an Associate degree by high school graduation.
- Note: The Program is test‑flexible but not test‑blind. Applicants may submit multiple qualifying indicators, but will be disqualified if any submitted score(s) fail to meet the stated thresholds.
- For Washington, D.C. nominees specifically: residency in, and graduation from, a high school located within Washington, D.C.
Application and Selection Process
Students nominated by their college advisors enter a thorough selection sequence that includes completing a comprehensive application and providing supporting documents: letters of recommendation, official high school transcripts, test score reports when applicable, and a financial aid profile. From those applications, finalists are chosen and invited to participate in an interview.
Program Benefits and Expectations
Selected Milken Scholars receive:
- A $2,000 annual award for each of four undergraduate years.
- A one-time $2,000 fund to help with the transition to the workforce or to further graduate study.
- Continuing academic and career advising, which includes guidance for graduate programs and fellowship opportunities.
Scholars must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA during their undergraduate studies and attend all required annual Program events (travel and related costs covered), including the yearly summer Summit. Scholars are also encouraged to maintain regular contact with Program staff through campus visits and periodic check-ins while enrolled in college and afterward as alumni.