Bates College today announced a new partnership with QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education.
“At Bates, we hold a long-standing belief in the transformative power of education along with our foundational commitments to excellence, inclusion, and access,” said President Garry W. Jenkins. “Our partnership with QuestBridge furthers these commitments and strengthens our ability to empower exceptional students from all backgrounds, preparing them for lives of meaning, leadership, and impact.”
Founded in 1994 by Ana Rowena Mallari and Dr. Michael McCullough while they were still Stanford students, QuestBridge recruits, develops, and motivates students beginning in high school and helps match students with selective colleges and universities. Match scholarship recipients are mentored through their college experience by QuestBridge and beyond. (QuestBridge has partnerships with graduate schools and companies as well as undergraduate institutions). The nonprofit’s goal is to help talented students attend the best colleges in the nation and then support them in achieving success in their careers and communities.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bates College to the QuestBridge partnership,” said Mallari, co-founder and CEO of QuestBridge. “With its commitment to the transformative power of differences and intellectual curiosity, Bates offers an environment where our Scholars are sure to excel and thrive. We are delighted our Scholars will have access to this campus community.”
QuestBridge began partnerships with institutions in 2004, working with three colleges and universities, including Amherst. Those partnerships have continued to grow each year. Last year Cornell and Skidmore joined the group. Today, with the addition of Bates, Harvard College, and the University of Richmond in Virginia, QuestBridge is working with 55 colleges and universities.
Through its National College Match program, students can earn full four-year scholarships to college. QuestBridge has supported more than 100,000 students, over 17,000 of whom have been awarded Match Scholarships by college partners. In December 2024, QuestBridge announced that 2,627 high school seniors had been awarded full scholarships to top colleges via early decision through its match program, a record number.
“Bates Admission and Student Financial Services are proud to collaborate with this powerful engine for access,” said Vice President of Enrollment and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Leigh Weisenburger. “We’ll enroll our first cohort of QuestBridge Scholars at Bates in fall 2026, and we are already looking forward to welcoming them and all they will bring to our community.”
QuestBridge Match Scholarships provided by college partners cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition, food and housing, books and course materials, and travel expenses. Bates has a deep commitment to improving access for excellent students with high need for financial assistance. Over 40 percent of Bates students receive financial aid, and the college meets 100 percent of students’ demonstrated financial need.
