GMS says that their goal is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in “computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health, and the sciences.”
If I am not that interested in the sciences, but rather economics, am I at a disadvantadge?
Those restrictions apply only for your graduate degree, not your bachelor’s. Any major is acceptable for your 4 year degree.
Yes. @NJRoadie is completely right.
Regardless of your major during your undergraduate education, GMS will fund it for up to 5 years.
However, GMS will ONLY fund your GRADUATE education (for up to 5 years) if it falls under one of those categories of: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health, and the sciences. There are specific restrictions on these and will be specified to awarded scholars.
People change their majors often too, changing it from one of those specified fields to another will not affect your scholarship whatsoever. In short, you are not at a disadvantage.
As a current GMS, I can attest to the fact that your intended undergraduate major is irrelevant. Indeed, most universities don’t even ask you to declare an interest.