QuestBridge National College Match
Catalog organization: QuestBridge
Compiled by: ExtracurricularHub Editorial Team — editorial policy
Last updated
What Is QuestBridge National College Match?
The 2026 National College Match is open. It is a free college-admission and scholarship pathway for high-achieving high-school seniors from low-income backgrounds who plan to start college in fall 2027. Applicants can apply to QuestBridge, then optionally rank up to 15 of its 55 college partners. A Finalist who ranks schools and is selected by a partner matches to the highest-ranked partner able to match with them, receives early admission and a guaranteed full four-year Match Scholarship, and ordinarily must attend. MIT is the exception to the binding-match rule.
The QuestBridge application deadline is October 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Rankings and the signed Match Agreement are due October 15; Finalist decisions release October 21; ranked Finalists must complete every selected college's separate Match Requirements by November 1; Match Day is December 1. QuestBridge's form does not by itself finish the college-specific applications. Applicants who rank also accept restrictions on other Early Decision and Single-Choice/Restrictive Early Action applications. Students who do not rank or are not Finalists are released from that policy; Finalists who do not match can pursue partner-specific post-Match options and QuestBridge Regular Decision.
QuestBridge National College Match Key Facts: Cost, Deadline, and Eligibility
| Cost | Varies — see Cost and funding |
|---|---|
| Format | Online |
| Eligibility | Grade 12 |
| Application deadline | December 10, 2026 |
| Listing last updated | August 30, 2026 |
Program details shown here reflect the current catalog record.
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