Complete guide to the QuestBridge National College Match

In this article, we’ll cover all of the essential details about the QuestBridge National College Match, including how it works, its eligibility criteria, how you apply, and how much financial aid you can get.

We’ll also show you some similar scholarships you may be eligible for too.

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What is the QuestBridge National College Match?

QuestBridge describes itself as a platform for connecting the nation’s brightest students from low-income and other disadvantaged backgrounds to the nation’s best educational institutions and opportunities. 

It’s no secret that college is expensive, and many feel like they shouldn’t even bother applying to top schools. As many as 30,000 low-income students are academically eligible for these schools each year but fail to apply to even one.

The QuestBridge National College Match lets you apply to selective colleges for free and offers up to $200,000 to cover tuition, fees, room and board, travel, and other expenses, which may be enough to cover the entire cost of your education.

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How to apply for the QuestBridge National College Match

Here's what you need to know before you apply for college through the QuestBridge National College Match.

Eligibility requirements

The QuestBridge National College Match has a few strict eligibility requirements. At a minimum, you must be a graduating senior and a US citizen or permanent resident.

The program publishes other elements that are indicative of previous award recipients, including:

• Primarily an A student

• Top 5–10% of their class

• SAT score of 1270 or better or ACT score of 28 or better

• Strong writing ability

• Household income under $65,000

• Limited family assets

• 76% of finalists are first-generation college students

• Participation in extracurricular activities

The application

The QuestBridge College Match has a unique application because it serves as both a scholarship application and a college application for the program’s partner colleges.

To apply, you’ll need to provide:

• Personal information

• Household information

• 2 letters of recommendation

• School report from a school counselor

• A school profile

• A current transcript

• Standardized test scores

Students who are selected as finalists may have to provide additional material to the colleges with which they match.

Important dates to remember

Before applying for the QuestBridge College Match, make sure you know these essential dates.

• Applications open: Late summer

• Applications close: September 28th

• Deadline to rank schools: October 14th

• Finalists notified: October 19th

• Additional materials to matched schools due: November 1st

• Match Day: December 1st

• Regular decision deadline: December 12th

Other scholarships like the QuestBridge National College Match

If you’re looking for financial aid to afford the cost of college, there are many scholarship opportunities out there. If you’re considering the QuestBridge National College Match, you may also be interested in these opportunities.

• The Shawn Carter Scholarship

• The Courage to Grow Scholarship

• The College Bound Scholarship

Mos can help you get started applying for both government financial aid and scholarships, like the QuestBridge National College Match. Join us now.