What is QuestBridge?

If you’re a student who:

• takes your school’s most challenging classes
• earns mostly A’s
• is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (even if living abroad)
• enjoys writing and learning, and
• comes from a household earning around $65,000 or less (for a family of four)

…then QuestBridge could be a life-changing opportunity.

Founded in 1994, QuestBridge is a national scholarship program that connects high-achieving high school juniors and seniors from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with top colleges. While only juniors and seniors can apply, learning about it early gives you time to prepare for the process and put your best foot forward.

There are two major programs within QuestBridge:

• The College Prep Scholars Program for high school juniors
• The National College Match for high school seniors

College Prep Scholars Program

This program is open to high school juniors who meet QuestBridge’s academic and financial criteria. The deadline usually falls in March of junior year, and students selected gain access to a range of benefits: full scholarships to summer college programs, Quest for Excellence Awards, and invitations to exclusive admissions conferences hosted by top colleges.

Fun fact: QuestBridge actually started with a summer program. A group of high-achieving, economically disadvantaged students were invited to spend five weeks at Stanford University, where they explored college-level learning in a low-pressure setting. No grades, just growth. That pilot program was so successful that it sparked the creation of the full QuestBridge initiative we know today.

As a counselor, I often nominate juniors for this program. But here’s something important to know: your counselor might not be aware of your family’s financial situation. If you think you might qualify, talk to your school counselor and apply. The application is detailed and takes planning, but the rewards can open real doors.

National College Match Program

The National College Match Program is what people normally think of when they hear “QuestBridge.” If you are “matched” to one of the 55 QuestBridge partner schools after going through the application process, you will receive a scholarship that covers nearly everything: tuition, housing, meals, travel, and other expenses. The total value is estimated at more than $325,000 across four years.

But the benefits don’t stop there. QuestBridge offers a support system throughout college and beyond. That includes:

• Campus chapters and mentorship
• An annual conference called QB Convene
• Alumni support and reunions
• A graduate school match program for advanced degrees

So it’s not just a scholarship. It’s a community.

If you’re interested in QuestBridge schools, you should also research colleges that meet full need and need-blind admission schools.

How the application process works

College Prep Scholars Program (junior year)

The application takes some planning, but it’s manageable. You’ll need:

• Academic, extracurricular, and household information
• A writing section
• One teacher recommendation (from a core subject)
• Your high school transcript (unofficial is okay)
• Any test scores you’ve taken (PSAT, Pre-ACT, AP, SAT, ACT)
• A school profile (ask your counselor)

The application opens in February and closes in March. Decisions are announced in late April.

If you're applying to QuestBridge as a junior, you might also be thinking ahead. Take time to explore how to build a balanced college list or get started with a scholarship search.

National College Match Program (senior year)

The senior-year application includes everything from the junior-year process, plus:

• Two teacher recommendations (core subjects)
• A school report (submitted by your counselor)
• Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and English proficiency exams, if applicable)

Timeline overview:

• Start the application in late summer, before senior year begins
• Submit all materials by the late September deadline
• Complete your College Rank form (rank up to 15 colleges)
• Finalists are announced in October
• Finalists submit final materials by November 1
• Match decisions are announced in early December

Not sure what to ask teachers or counselors for? You'll need a strong letter of recommendation.

If you don’t match, you can still apply to partner schools through QuestBridge Regular Decision. Colleges recognize the strength of QuestBridge applicants, and the process includes fee waivers.

Is QuestBridge worth it?

Without a doubt.

If you’re matched and get a full scholarship to a QuestBridge partner college, your time was well spent. 

The process is still valuable for students who weren’t matched. The QuestBridge Regular Decision Application provides an advantage in the application cycle, including a fee waiver. Furthermore, anyone going through the QuestBridge application process is now in a position to help other senior-year applications go more smoothly, such as scholarship applications and other college applications outside of QuestBridge partner colleges. 

Next step: Whether you’re applying through QuestBridge or exploring other options, Appily has tools to help you stay organized, track deadlines, and build a college list that fits your goals and budget. With a free account, you can:

Compare colleges & build a list
Use our college acceptance calculator
Find scholarships
Stay on top of deadlines

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