Apply to the National College Match

Dream big

Through the National College Match, high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds can apply for early admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation’s top colleges, plus access to a lifelong network of QuestBridge Scholars and Alumni for support during college and beyond.

We review all applications holistically, and there are no absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors. Take this chance to dream big.

Did you know?

Over 19,000 high school seniors have received full four-year scholarships through the National College Match.

QuestBridge is looking for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. The National College Match is for students planning to attend college in the fall after their senior year. It is open to any high school senior currently attending high school in the U.S. and U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents living abroad. International students living outside the U.S. are not eligible. Learn more about eligibility and selection criteria →

Typically, National College Match Finalists…

Earn primarily A’s in the most challenging courses available and display intellectual curiosity and strong writing ability.
Rank in the top 5-10% of their class.
Challenge themselves by taking Honors, AP, and/or IB courses, if available.
If submitting standardized test scores, likely score within middle 50% SAT score: 1290-1460 and/or middle 50% ACT score: 27-33.

Note: Test scores are not required to apply. All applications are reviewed holistically, so a student who has not taken standardized tests can still be selected as a Finalist if the rest of their application is strong. Some college partners may require test scores, so please review their test requirements carefully.

Typically, National College Match Finalists…

Come from households earning less than $65,000 annually (for a household of four) and have minimal assets.
Qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
Face financial hardship.

QuestBridge will thoroughly review the financial information in each student's application. Students who are selected as Finalists will need to submit official documentation verifying their financial situation directly to the colleges to which they apply.

Typically, National College Match Finalists…

Demonstrate resilience, integrity, and motivation to succeed.
Make meaningful contributions to activities at home, school, or in the community.
Are among the first generation in their family to attend a four-year college.
Display intellectual curiosity and strong writing ability.

What you need to apply

Information on your academics, activities, household, and financial background
Writing section
Two teacher recommendations from core academic subjects
Current high school transcript and additional transcripts (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
School Report from your current high school counselor
School Profile (optional, but recommended)
Any standardized test score reports to-date (if taken). We accept SAT, ACT, IB, AP, and English language proficiency exam test scores (unofficial test score reports are accepted).

Important note:

Access to the previous year’s tax returns, W-2(s), or other financial documents is highly recommended to complete the application accurately.

How does it work?

Start an application

Begin your free National College Match application in late summer before your senior year.

Gather materials

Reach out to your recommenders and school counselor, and gather financial documents, a transcript, test scores (if taken), and a School Profile (if available).

Submit application

Submit your application by the deadline. You have successfully submitted your application when you see a green check mark on your Manage page.

Rank colleges

Rank up to 15 college partners to be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship.

Finalists notified

If you're selected as a Finalist, your next step is to submit additional application requirements to each school you ranked by November 1.

Match Day

In early December, Finalists find out if they matched. Matched? Congrats! You're admitted to college early with a full four-year scholarship.

Not matched? It's okay!

QuestBridge Regular Decision offers you a chance for admission at colleges you ranked, and you can apply to additional college partners that interest you.

Application resources

AskQB

Visit our online help portal to get your questions answered about the National College Match.

QuestTips

Explore short video tutorials on the QuestBridge YouTube channel for key sections of the application.

Resource Library

Explore QuestBridge resources to prepare you for the National College Match.

2026 Early Application Policy

When you rank colleges through the National College Match, you enter into a binding* agreement with the colleges on your list. This is a significant commitment that means if you are matched to a school you rank, you are admitted early with a full four-year scholarship and are expected to attend that college. If you rank any QuestBridge college partner, including MIT, there are restrictions on applying to other schools through early admissions programs.

National College Match applicants who rank colleges cannot apply to other colleges through Early Decision or Single-Choice Early Action (also known as Restrictive Early Action). They may be able to apply to some colleges through non-binding Early Action programs. Please see the allowed circumstances below for more details.

Note: National College Match applicants who do not rank colleges, or who are not selected as Finalists, are released from the Early Application Policy and can apply to any college through any early or regular admissions program.

*With the exception of MIT, which is not binding.

Allowed under the QuestBridge Early Application Policy

As long as applying to QuestBridge does not violate that college's policies, students may apply to:

Any college or university that requires an early application in order to be considered for special scholarships or programs, as long as the admissions decision is non-binding.
Any public college or university with a non-binding early application option.
Any college or university through Regular Decision.
Any college or university with a non-binding rolling admission process.
Any military/service academy.
Any school outside the U.S. if the decision is non-binding.

A note for Finalists who do not match:

Finalists who rank colleges but do not match may have additional opportunities to apply early to schools they rank or other institutions.

Some college partners you rank may offer the opportunity to be considered in an early round after the Match. See Options Following the Match for more information.
You may apply to a QuestBridge or non-QuestBridge school for Early Decision II (deadlines typically in January).