National College Match: How It Works
The 2023 National College Match application is now closed. Applicants should rank colleges by October 12 to be considered for a full four-year scholarship. View all dates and deadlines >>
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Pathway to a Top College with 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.
View all dates and deadlines for the 2023 National College Match. Learn more about the process and timeline for high school seniors below.
*Ranking Colleges
Being able to rank colleges is what makes the National College Match so unique. By ranking colleges, students could be “matched”— or admitted early with a Match Scholarship — to the college that appears highest on their list that also wants to match with them. Learn more about ranking colleges.
**Options Following the Match
Finalists who do not match can check their admission opportunities for the colleges they ranked. Learn more about options following the Match for each school.
***QuestBridge Regular Decision
Finalists who do not match or who choose not to rank colleges have the opportunity to apply to our college partners through QuestBridge Regular Decision. Learn more about QuestBridge Regular Decision.
Early Application Policy
Applicants who rank colleges cannot apply to other colleges through Early Decision, Early Action, or Single-Choice Early Action (also known as Restrictive Early Action). Read the full Early Application Policy.
Process FAQs
How does the National College Match work?
Is this an application for college admission or a scholarship application?
What happens if I am not matched with any of the colleges that I ranked?