What are First Generation Scholarships?

First generation scholarships are awards for students who are the first in their family to go to college. The National Center for Education Statistics defines first generation college student as those whose parents never enrolled in post secondary education.

Why First Generations Should Apply for a Scholarship?

A first generation scholarship or grant can take some of the stress out of paying for college. Once you graduate, a college degree may open up job opportunities and earning potential.

First Generation College Scholarships

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Written by Dave Moniz

✔️ Edited by Unigo Staff

This guide is your key to finding scholarships made just for first-generation college students. It's packed with tips on how to apply and where to find the best scholarships. There are plenty of financial aid opportunities for first generation students. Ready to dive in? Let's find you some college money.

List of First Generation College Scholarships | Complete List

David C. Lizarraga Fellowship

$1,000 Award Amount

10 Awards

Deadline

The TELACU Education Foundation combines important financial assistance with highly effective programs that aim to ensure students’ academic success. It was originally set up to revitalize urban, underserved areas throughout the US. Since 2007, TOYOTA has generously funded The David C. Lizárraga Fellows—an impressive cohort of graduate students. While priority goes to applicants pursuing advanced degrees in Business and Engineering, those majoring in other disciplines may also be considered. To date, hundreds of Fellows have been empowered to enter the professional world as highly educated doctors, researchers, lawyers, entrepreneurs and the innovators of our future!

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Alannas Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 10 Deadline

The Alannas Scholarship was set up in honor of Alan and Ann Schwartz, parents who encouraged their children to pursue postsecondary education despite considerable financial adversity. First generation applicants will recognize sacrifices their parent(s) made while maintaining strong ethics and instilling these characteristics in their children. The winner will be selected based on essay, financial need and their essay and will get a $1,000 scholarship.

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Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 15 Deadline

Fontana Transport Inc. is a family owned trucking company based out of Southern California whose owners are passionate about education and helping future leaders in their community pursue a higher education degree. The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is open to underrepresented, low income and first-generation college-bound students. As they believe everyone in the United States deserves an opportunity to study at a private or public institution despite their financial situation at home. With these scholarships, they strive to open a new door in a student's life that will enable him or her to continue their path toward success.

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Education Accessibility Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Dec 31 Deadline

Applicants should be currently enrolled (or enrolled prior to the scholarship deadline) at an accredited institution, including with the intent to complete either a two- or four-year program at any junior college, community college, paralegal programs, undergraduate program, or graduate program anywhere in the United States. Applicants must be the first in your family to attend a four-year college and have good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA or above.

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USAC First Generation Scholarship

$10,000 Award Amount

10 Awards

Oct 15 Deadline

USAC awards students financially to assist with their study abroad expenses. For this award, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and have parents who did not graduate from a 4-year institution.

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Whistleblower Education Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 28 Deadline

When you see something wrong, what do you do? Are you someone that pushes the scene to the side and ignores it? Or are you taking action and pointing out the wrongdoing? If you are an individual that stands up and calls out the injustice, then you can call yourself a whistleblower! Every day, Tony Munter, a Whistleblower attorney at Price Benowitz Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP, assists others in fighting for what is right by helping them expose wrongdoings. Tony understands the power behind using your resources to take a stand to uncover the inequity in your community. No matter how small or large the wrongdoing, taking action against lawlessness is how individuals work together to build a society based on shared values.

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Upper Valley Scholarship

$4,000 Award Amount

4 Awards

Feb 11 Deadline

This award is available for undergraduate students who are residents of Vermont's Upper Valley region. Students must demonstrate financial need and community service/involvement; preference will be given to students who are among the first generation in their families to attend college.

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Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG)

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 11 Deadline

This award is available to Florida high school seniors and undergraduate students who are enrolled in at least six semester hours at an eligible Florida college or university. The applicant must demonstrate unmet financial need of $200 or more (as determined by the institution) and be a first generation college student.

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UNF DuBow Scholarship

$20,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 11 Deadline

This award is available to U.S students who are planning to attend the University of North Florida as freshmen. Students must have a UNF recalculated grade point average of 3.6 or higher and a SAT score of 1300 or higher or an ACT score of 28 or higher.

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UNF Gray Scholarship

$16,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 11 Deadline

This award is available to U.S students who are planning to attend the University of North Florida as freshmen and major in a field within the College of Arts & Sciences. Students must have a UNF recalculated grade point average of 3.6 or higher and a SAT score of 1360 or higher or an ACT score of 28 or higher.

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UNF Katherine Lovett Scholarship

$16,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 11 Deadline

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Sessions College First-Generation Student Scholarship

$12,000 Award Amount

4 Awards

Nov 15 Deadline

This award is for international and U.S. students applying to Sessions college planning to major in graphic or web design. Applicants must be in the first generation of their family to attend college.

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Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship

$200,000 Award Amount

20 Awards

Oct 14 Deadline

We recognize the value and advantages of diverse ideas within our communities. We are committed to providing a platform to support the next generation of leaders and champions in our industry, and we are focused on growing diversity within the science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields. The Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship will contribute to the creation of a critical mass of talented students that will fully represent our industry—it will provide an environment in which all can thrive academically and professionally. Through this scholarship, Stantec will award $200,000 annually. We believe everyone has a right to education, and we are committed to providing people in historically underrepresented and Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) groups with financial aid. Here at Stantec, we value an inclusive and diverse workplace culture where we seek a broad range of perspectives and contributions to our industry—and the communities where we live and work. The number of scholarships awarded will be based on the specific needs articulated by applicants, and the award values will be a variable range between $1,500 and $10,000. Additionally, there will be 10 paid internships (locations to be confirmed annually) available to applicants. The Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship is part of a broader commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our organization. We know that we must increase our focus on building the future talent pipeline and find more ways to support underrepresented populations in our industry. This scholarship program is just one example of our commitment to break through barriers to have an impact.

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UW-Eau Claire Blugold Promise-Sundstrom Scholarship

$1,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Dec 1 Deadline

Non-traditional and first generation incoming students to the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire who have earned no more than 30 college credit hours and graduated from a Wisconsin high school are eligible for this award. Students must demonstrate financial need; preference is given to students from Durand High School.

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Orange County Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Jan 20 Deadline

This scholarship is for female undergraduate students who have resided in Orange County, Vermont, for at least one year, and who demonstrate financial need and education/work ethic. Students must face significant barriers that limit access to education after high school; preference is given to students who are among the first generation in their families to attend college. Applications are available from the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) website. Applications may be completed either online or in paper form beginning on November 1. Please note: The student is only required to submit one application for all scholarships for which he/she wishes to apply. In addition, if a particular document is required for more than one scholarship, the student need only submit one copy of that document. To apply, the student must complete and submit the VSAC Unified Scholarship Application and submit the following materials: a letter of recommendation; an essay; and official transcripts. NOTE: Required additional materials MUST conform to the detailed instructions in the VSAC Scholarships Booklet. The student is highly encouraged to review the booklet thoroughly when assembling materials. Electronic applications and any digital versions of supplemental materials must be submitted by midnight on the deadline date. Paper applications or any supplemental materials in paper form must be postmarked by the deadline date.

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Dreams to Degrees Scholarship

$1,500 Award Amount

1 Award

May 1 Deadline

Being accepted into college is a huge achievement and is the culmination of a student’s hard work and their desire to elevate their learning. This milestone should be celebrated, but the harsh realities of pursuing education can quickly dampen the mood. Finding ways to pay for college and adjusting to a new routine can be challenging and requires ongoing support. Unfortunately, not all students have access to this support system, as they are the first in their family to go to college. This brings unique challenges for these students that others may not experience. The Dreams to Degrees Scholarship was created to assist students in breaking new ground by being the first in their families to pursue a college education. It recognizes the unique challenges and accomplishments of first-generation students. This scholarship is open to first-generation college students who are accepted or enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in the United States. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The scholarship award is $1,500. We want to hear from you through a personal statement or essay describing your journey as a first-generation college attendee and highlight the challenges you have overcome and your aspirations for the future. A scholarship committee will review all applications and select recipients based on their eligibility, academic achievements, and personal statements. Please provide two letters of recommendation and transcripts to confirm eligibility. Applications must be complete by May 1, 2024, to be considered.

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David M. Rubenstein Scholarship

$20,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

The David M. Rubenstein Scholars Program is designed to attract and support first-generation, low-income students financially, academically, personally, and professionally. It was named after David M. Rubenstein, the philanthropist and Duke alumnus who was the first member of his family to attend college.

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First of Us Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Aug 31 Deadline

The Gutierrez Law Firm have created the First of Us Scholarship for first-generation college students to share their experiences of facing and overcoming hardships as the first in their families to pursue higher education. This is a $1,000 scholarship opportunity. We will be accepting applications until August 31, 2023.

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Hatfield Foundation Scholarship

$20,000 Award Amount

4 Awards

Mar 14 Deadline

We provide scholarships and educational resources for first-generation college students to help ensure their success in academics and in life. College can be a significant burden to students, especially first-time college students. We help by providing financial assistance through our scholarship program. However, the program is much more than just money for school. We also provide educational resources and mentoring to help you along your journey.

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First Generation College Student Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Oct 2 Deadline

Attorney David Kadzai appreciates the resilience and hard work it takes to become a first-generation college student. The journey of becoming the first person in your family to attend university is often filled with intimidating challenges and difficult circumstances. Attorney Kadzai hopes to alleviate some of the stress and difficulty of this journey by offering financial assistance to students. His law firm established The Law Offices of David A. Kadzai, LLC First Generation College Student Scholarship to make higher education more attainable for those who are embarking on this journey.

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Douvas Memorial Scholarship

$500 Award Amount

1 Award

Apr 30 Deadline

This scholarship is available to Wyoming undergraduate students who are first-generation college students and planning to attend one of the state's seven community colleges or the University of Wyoming. Students must be high school seniors or 18 to 22 years of age. Click here to learn more and apply today!

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Cynthia E. Morgan Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Feb 25 Deadline

Current high school juniors or older students attending or planning to attend a Maryland college or university to pursue a career in a medical or medical-related field are eligible for this award. Students must be Maryland residents.

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What Are First Generation Students?

First generation scholarships are awards for students who are the first in their family to go to college. The NCES defines first generation college students as those whose parents never enrolled in post secondary education.

To qualify for a scholarship as a ‘first generation’ or ‘first scholar’, neither of your parents:

Obtained a certificate or college degree
Earned an associate degree or more advanced degree
Attained a bachelor’s degree or a more advanced degree

Apart from your ‘first’ status, there tend to be other rules about eligibility in place. An acceptable GPA and financial need (as determined by your FAFSA application) are factors commonly considered. Also, volunteer work and leadership qualities are often important to earn a first generation scholarship. There are scholarships for first generation students of color too. For these, the provider may specify you must identify as a certain race or ethnicity.

There are also scholarships for low income, underserved students. So, cast a wide net while also focusing on ones with ‘first gen’ in the title. Take the American Indian College Fund for instance. They sponsor the Coca Cola First Generation Scholarship. It is a $5,000 annual, nonrenewable award for American Indian and Alaska Native college students. Some providers also offer first generation scholarships to students in specific states or communities. These tend to ask for proof of residency and like others, your citizenship status.

Who Are First Gen Students?

First generation students now make up the majority of all college students. As of 2023, 56% of all undergraduate students were first generation. Three of the five states with the highest proportion of first generation students are out West – California (1st), Arizona (3rd), and Nevada (4th). Not all first generation students are traditional college age students. In fact, nearly 30% of all first generation students are 30 or older, according to the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). First generation students tend to be students of color, identify as female, come from low earning or immigrant households, and have served in the military.

Financial Aid

There are many state and federal financial aid programs designed to help first generation students make access to an affordable college education a reality. The most popular is the federal Pell Grant, which provides students with up to $ 7,395 in 2024-25. The exact amount of a Pell Grant is based on family income as determined by the FAFSA.

Federal financial aid programs, including the Pell Grant, are reserved for U.S. citizens or legal residents. If you are a dreamer or your parents are undocumented immigrants, even though you may not qualify for federal grants, many states offer grants or tuition waivers including California, New York, Minnesota, Washington, and Texas, just to name a few. Many states have specific applications for Dreamers as the FAFSA is only available for U.S. citizens and legal residents.

College Grants and Scholarships for First Generation Students

In addition to federal and state financial aid opportunities, many public and private colleges and universities provide generous scholarships and grants to first generation students to encourage attendance by making the cost of education much more affordable. Unlike student loans, grants do not need to be repaid – so they can play an important role in addressing the gap between financial aid grants from the federal and state governments and tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

While grants and scholarships awarded by colleges and universities can be generous, many first generation students find there will still be a gap. This is why private scholarships are so important for first generation students to consider.

Who Offers Scholarships for First Gen Students?

An example of a first generation scholarship is the Regent’s Scholar Program which is available at Texas A&M University. It provides up to $6,000 per academic year. To qualify, you need to be the first in your immediate family to pursue a college degree. Additionally, a student’s family income must be under $40,000. . The scholarship is renewable up to a max of eight semesters. Recipients must be in good standing with their academics to renew this scholarship.

The First Generation Grant is available at University of Colorado, Boulder. It is a $2,000 award or $4,000 if living on campus for the first year only. To qualify, you must be either an incoming freshman or transfer student and a Colorado resident.

You must also complete the FAFSA and be someone whose parent(s) or legal guardians do not have a bachelor’s degree. If you qualify, you can apply for the grant through the CU Boulder Scholarship Application.

Organizations that Help First Generation Students

There are many private scholarship programs that provide funding opportunities for first generation students. A few examples include:

Beyond 12 A national nonprofit founded in 2009. Their mission is to increase the number of low income first-gen and underserved students who graduate from college. To do this, they have several programs in place including a “MyCoaching” App.

College for Every Student, Brilliant Pathways CFES is a nonprofit that aims to help underserved youth prepare for, gain access to and succeed in college. They now work with rural and urban schools in 24 states. Each school will work with low income youth, many of whom are first gen students.

First Scholars The Firsts Scholars model blends a business mindset with college student success strategies. It intends to have a national impact and boost the graduation rate of first generation students. They also empower students to build self awareness.

Questbridge An internet platform that connects bright students from low income backgrounds with colleges. As a facilitator, they hope to see an uptick in the number of low income students who attend college. The Questbridge National College Match program is an opportunity for students to receive admission and a full four-year scholarship to over 50 highly regarded colleges.

Strive for College The UStrive platform connects you to a mentor online who can walk you through the college application process. While they do not offer first generation scholarships, your mentor can guide you to ones that may suit your goals. They also power the I’m First online network of first gen students.

Why First Gen Students Should Apply For Scholarships

A first generation scholarship or grant can take some of the stress out of paying for college. Unlike a loan, scholarships don’t need to be repaid as long as you follow the terms. Over 65% of first generation students rely on financial aid, according to First Generation Student Success. Many first generation students work full time while enrolled in school. However, many students in a first generation situation never make it to college.

Apart from the financial help, there is another possible benefit. Once you graduate, a college degree may open up job opportunities and earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that having a college degree boosts lifetime earnings. In fact, workers with a bachelor’s degree may earn twice as much as those who finished high school.

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

While there are many scholarship opportunities for first generation students, these scholarships can be competitive so a solid game plan and strategy can go a long way. These tips can enhance your chances of success when applying for scholarships.

Start Early: Begin searching for scholarships well ahead of when you plan to enroll in college, as many scholarship programs have early submission requirements. Some grant programs and scholarships, provide awards and benefits as early as the 9th grade. This is especially true for scholarships focused on first generation students. So, start your search early, as soon as the 9th or 10th grade.

Stay Organized: Keep track of deadlines, required documents, and application criteria using a spreadsheet or planner.

Personalize Your Approach: Tailor your essays and personal statements to highlight your achievements, goals, and how they align with each scholarship’s mission and unique requirements.

Recommendations: Obtain strong letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or community leaders who can speak to your unique qualifications.

Showcase Your Achievements: Emphasize your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, athletic abilities, unique talents, interests, leadership roles, and community service in your applications. Make sure and do so in the context of any unique experiences or adversity you have overcome.

FAFSA Completion: Many scholarship programs require applicants to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is also essential for federal grants and other financial aid programs including grants and scholarships you might receive from your college. You should complete the FAFSA as early as you can in your senior year of high school and/or before you plan to start your degree program.

First in Family Students and Student Loans

While scholarships and grants are ideal for first generation students because they do not require repayment, they may not cover all educational expenses. Federal student loans offer favorable terms compared to private loans and can help bridge the financial gap. However, it’s important to consider repayment obligations when taking out any type of student loan. Federal student loan programs do require completion of the FAFSA. It is important to note that federal student loans are only available to U.S. citizens and residents.

First Generation Students who are Dreamers

Although first generation students who are undocumented are not eligible for federal student loan programs or grants like the Pell Grant, as of August 2024, state financial aid and grant programs in 19 states do provide awards to undocumented students. Furthermore, many colleges and universities provide school-based grants and scholarships for undocumented students who are first in their families to attend college.

A number of private scholarships and organizations also provide funding, advocacy, and other resources to first generation students who are undocumented including:

United We Dream
Immigrants Rising
TheDream.Us
Upward Bound
“I Have a Dream” Foundation
First Gen Scholars