The QuestBridge National College Match is a college admission and scholarship process through which high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds can be admitted early with full four-year scholarships to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities and get connected to lifelong opportunities with QuestBridge. Through the National College Match application, students who have excelled academically despite financial hardship can highlight their unique story and be considered for multiple pathways of admission including, the Match, QuestBridge Regular Decision, and other admission opportunities. Here is how the National College Match works:
- Start an application: Begin your free National College Match application in late summer before your senior year. Review our Quick Start Guide for general instructions, resources, and tips for completing your application.
- 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: Students submit their National College Match application by October 1.
- Rank colleges: Students are able to rank up to 15 colleges to be "matched" – admitted early with a Match Scholarship – to the college that appears highest on their list and is able to match with them. Students can also choose to not rank colleges and apply through QuestBridge Regular Decision only.
- Finalists notified: QuestBridge holistically reviews applications and selects qualified applicants as National College Match Finalists. Finalists who have ranked colleges submit additional materials, known as Match Requirements, to college partners on their rankings list by November 1.
- Match Scholarship Recipients notified: In December, Finalists learn if they have matched with a college they ranked.
- Not matched? That's okay!: Finalists who do not match or choose not to rank colleges can use their QuestBridge application to apply to our college partners through other early and regular decision opportunities. Note that students who plan to apply only through QuestBridge Regular Decision must still submit a National College Match application by the October 1 deadline.
You can learn more about the National College Match process by reviewing the following pages on our website: