There are two 2025 Application Deadlines.

Summer and Academic Year Deadline May 11, 2025

• First-round decisions
• Academic year program cohorts are determined (and combined, as needed). 
  • For example, if an East Lansing and Online cohort is offered and only one of them meets the enrollment minimum, the other cohort will be cancelled and combined with the other. Remaining apps are only eligible for the cohort that is being offered. 
• If you are applying for a need-based scholarship, you must apply by this deadline.
• Summer decisions are rolling beginning mid-March.
• Academic Year applicants will be notified within 30 days of app deadline.
• Academic Year program locations are determined based on enrollment by this date.
  • (For example: If a program is offering an online and in-person option and one has significantly more completed applications by this deadline, the other location may be canceled due to low enrollment.)

Academic Year Extended Deadline July 11, 2025

• Your program could fill before this deadline.
• Schools close for the summer so your application may not get completed or will have to wait if your teacher is not checking their email regularly.
• Many schools request GATE acceptance before the end of the school year so they can plan for the following year. You will have to work with your school to fit your GATE program into your schedule when school resumes after summer break.
• Remaining financial aid funds may be reduced or depleted.
• Your decision may be delayed.

MSU GATE has the GUPPY program for grades 4 and grades 5-6 (different classes for each grade range). The GUPPY program is a choice of different weekend and one week programs in the summer.

All program applications are completed online. Reference the How to Apply page for an overview of the application process.

$75 nonrefundable application fee for all program applications submitted before March 1.

After March 1, the nonrefundable application fee increases to $100.

You will need to check with your school's business office staff to learn if financial assistance is available.

You can apply for Financial Aid within the GATEway online application system. A copy of your current tax return is also required - see the form for details. Please view the need based scholarship page to see if you qualify for assistance.

The required standardized tests for all programs are the SAT, ACT, or CogAT. The GUPPY program has additional acceptable tests. (Please see the test and score requirements under each program on the GATE website, gifted.msu.edu). An IQ test can also be submitted in place of standardized test scores.

Visit the ACT and SAT Testing page for more information. Visit the CogAT Testing page for more information.

Your other application materials will be reviewed and considered. However, there is no guarantee that you will be accepted into the program without the necessary test scores. Although students may meet the minimum requirements, it does not guarantee acceptance. All applications will go through a holistic review process.

Score reports are sent to families after testing. If you require a duplicate copy of your student's score report, please request it here.