The Gates Scholarship has announced that Allen senior Cayser Nickell has been selected as a Gates Scholar and member of the Gates Scholarship Class of 2025.

He is one of 750 Scholars chosen from a pool of over 48,000 applicants across the nation, with only 6% being American Indian/ Alaskan Native. Nickell is now considered to be part of an elite group of young leaders who represent the very pinnacle of academic achievement, service, and commitment.

The Gates Scholarship Program launched in 2017 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This prestigious scholarship is highly selective and will fund the full cost of attendance to earn a bachelor’s degree. Cost covered include tuition, fees, books, room and board, and additional costs.

TGS will also provide various support services programed to help scholars excel in their degree programs, graduate, and transition into their careers.

The scholarship process hasn’t been an easy one. Cayser began applying in July of last year and has continually had to complete each phase in order to move on to the next. Phase one was general information about themselves.

In December Cayser received word that he made it through as a semi-finalist and had to submit detailed information about his involvement in his school, activities, and community service. Cayser was also evaluated by current and former teachers and completed four essays with given prompts.

The final phase was in March, he had been selected as Finalist and would complete a virtual interview with a previous recipient scholar who was assigned to him from the scholarship team. During the interview, Cayser was asked several professional questions and asked to elaborate on his future and how his involvement within his tribe, Choctaw Nation, contributed his success.

During this entire process, Casyer