Luis Vidal Jr. of Fort Smith, a member of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts Class of 2026, was named a Gates Scholar for the Spring 2026 cycle.
Gates Scholars receive the Gates Scholarship, a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households. The scholarship is sponsored by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance — including tuition, fees, room, board, books and transportation — that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the methodology used by the scholar’s college or university.
Vidal said the Gates Scholarship didn’t change where he had chosen to attend college — Columbia University in New York. However, it will help cover the remaining tuition and various fees at the school after a scholarship from the university and Pell Grant funds are applied — about $5,000 a year. The Gates Scholarship will also cover the cost of a new laptop up to $2,000.
Vidal was off campus when he learned he had been awarded the scholarship.
“I was on North Mountain near the Goat Rock Trail sitting on a rock,” he said. “I knew (the notification) was coming out at 7, so when it hit 7, I started repeatedly refreshing my email and nothing came in. So, I went to the portal, and that’s when I saw ‘Step 2 – Institution Information and Step 1 – Acceptance.’
“I started tearing up with joy, and shortly after 7:01 I saw ‘Congratulations! You have been selected as a Gates Scholar!’ I immediately called my family and my girlfriend to let them know of this amazing news!”