Navigating College Costs: A Guide to First-Generation Student Scholarships

The path to higher education can be particularly challenging for students who are the first in their families to attend college. These first-generation college students often face unique obstacles, including a lack of familial guidance on navigating the complex college application and financial aid processes. Fortunately, numerous scholarships are specifically designed to support these determined individuals, making higher education more accessible and affordable.

Understanding First-Generation Student Status

Generally, first-generation scholarships are open to students whose parents have not earned a four-year undergraduate degree. However, specific organizations and colleges may define "first generation" differently, so it's crucial to always double-check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship. In most cases, having a sibling who graduated from college will not affect your eligibility for these awards. Generally, students are only considered first-generation if neither of their parents has earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. This means that if your parents earned a degree from an institution abroad, you may still meet the criteria for some first-generation scholarships.

The Importance of Scholarships

Being a first-generation college student is a huge accomplishment. Some parents, grandparents, etc. understandably might not have had the opportunity, the funding, or the time to attend college. First-generation scholarships are awards for students whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree. Luckily, scholarships created specifically for first-generation students can lessen this burden. Many first-generation scholarships focus on increasing access to higher education and supporting students who may not have built-in guidance through the college process. These scholarships may be offered by colleges, nonprofits, community organizations, or national programs-and the award amounts can range from a few hundred dollars to full tuition.

Finding and Applying for Scholarships

Your first chance at financial support often arrives with your university acceptance letter. Nearly all colleges offer a combination of need-based and merit-based aid. Immediately contact the Financial Aid Office or an Admissions Counselor at your top schools. Even with institutional aid, the cost might still be too high. When you create an account on Scholarships.com and add your demographic information, you will receive a list of scholarships you’re eligible for, including scholarships for first-generation students. Sort matches by awards with the soonest deadlines or their amounts to find scholarships as efficiently as possible. The best scholarships will depend on your major, location, background, interests, and the school you plan to attend. There isn’t just one “best” scholarship-there are many options depending on your background, goals, and stage of education.

Key Steps in the Application Process

Most of these awards will require you to confirm that neither of your parents have earned a bachelor’s degree. You may need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which shows your family’s education and financial background. Always read each scholarship’s instructions carefully to ensure that you provide all required documentation.

Complete the FAFSA: This is a crucial step, as many scholarships require it to assess financial need. Your FAFSA results determine your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, which is open to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, and a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
Contact Financial Aid Offices: Reach out to the financial aid offices at your top schools to inquire about institutional aid and any specific first-generation scholarships they offer.
Search for External Scholarships: Dedicate time to searching for external scholarships from various organizations and foundations.
Read eligibility rules carefully: Each scholarship defines “first-generation” a little differently. Read the eligibility rules carefully so you know whether you qualify.

Featured Scholarship Opportunities

Here are some examples of scholarships specifically for first-generation college students:

Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship: This scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. This scholarship has rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying earlier will have a greater chance of winning.
Scholars Program: This program awards up to $5,000 to multiple underrepresented, high school seniors who will be first-generation college students and want to help their families and communities. For 2024, the program hopes to support students pursuing a degree in any of the following fields: Transportation Management, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, pre-med, psychology, and/or the Spanish Language and Literature.
Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship: Apply for this scholarship and focus on your education, not your finances. The winner will be selected by random drawing by April 15th. Niche can help with every step of the college search including paying for it.
The Hatfield Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors whose parents have not received a bachelor's degree or higher.
The Dr. James and Lynn Brown “First in Family” Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to students that are the first in their family to attend college. Students attending Wenatchee Valley College are welcome to apply.
Cummins First Generation Women of Color Scholarship: This scholarship is seeking female applicants who plan to attend an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) or HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution). Non-freshman students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and freshman students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. Candidates from under-represented groups and those with financial need are preferred. Eligible majors must relate to Computer Science, Information Sciences/Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, or Security.
The Jackson Laboratory College Scholarship Program: This program seeks aspiring biomedicine professionals from underserved backgrounds in Connecticut, Maine, and Sacramento County, California. To be eligible, applicants must also have a minimum 3.5 high school GPA and demonstrate either significant financial need or status as a first-generation college student.
GIAR Grandmother's First-Generation Scholarship: This scholarship annually awards up to $5,000 to first-generation young women of Portuguese, Mexican, Central American, or South American ancestry who are residing in Nevada or Hawaii. Applicants must also be under the age of 25 and have graduated or are graduating seniors from high school with a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0.
University of Colorado Boulder First Generation Scholarship: Each year, the scholarship awards $4,000 and $8,000 per year, respectively, to eligible first-generation resident and nonresident students. In order to apply, interested students must complete the FAFSA, demonstrate significant financial need, and complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application as well as the CU Boulder First Generation Scholarship application.
Lupita Turriff Hispanic Student Scholarship: This scholarship provides a need-based scholarship to Hispanic high school seniors in Illinois, who are first-generation students to attend college. Students majoring in specific science courses are encouraged to apply.
OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship: Each year, the scholarship awards $2,500 to multiple first-generation Asian and Pacific Islander students whose next year of college will be their final year.
Felicia Brewer Opportunity Scholarship: The Scholarship will be awarded to students who have attended a Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools district high school. The Fund has been created in memory of Felice (Felicia) Berkman Brewer by her father-in-law, Donald Brew.
Black Skeptics First in the Family Humanist Scholarship: Six $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school students of color (African American, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American) who identify as agnostic, atheist, humanist, freethinker, and/or secular. The scholarship aims to support students who have demonstrated a commitment to humanist values and social change.
HACU IES Abroad Scholarship (Spring/Fall): This scholarship provides funding opportunities for students currently attending a Hispanic-serving institution. Priority will be given to first generation college students and/or Federal Pell Grant recipients.
George Rogers Foundation Scholarship: Must be a South Carolina or North Carolina resident, must be a First in Family student - defined as a student who will be the first person in their family to attend a 2 or 4 year college, graduating high school senior.

Regional Scholarships

Texas Scholarships: Four awards worth up to $3,000 will be offered to high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors residing in Texas with a 2.75 GPA or higher. Applicants must be a first-generation college student and attend a public college or university in Texas. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need and a history of community service. If you’re on the hunt for similar scholarships, don’t forget to explore Scholarships360 for more Texas scholarships. The Rene Hernandez Scholarship is available to Hispanic students from Travis and Williamson counties in Texas.
Tennessee Scholarships: The Joe R and Kathy K May scholarship is open to residents from Anderson, Blount, Grainer, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Sevier, or Union county in Tennessee. If you are not from one of these counties, there are general Tennessee scholarships open.
Virginia Scholarships: This scholarship is worth up to $50,000 over four years (distributed in $12,500 payments per academic year) and is available to public high school seniors from Arlington County, Alexandria City, or Fairfax County who demonstrate strong academic skills, financial need, and community service. To apply, applicants must submit their FAFSA.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Sallie Mae Monthly Scholarship: Sallie will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants.
SoFi Monthly Scholarship: SoFi is giving away $2,500 for school every month! To apply, you must be 18 years of age or older. You also must be enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited institution.
Easy Scholarships: The Catalino Tapia Scholarship provides financial assistance to underserved and underrepresented residents of the San Francisco Bay area who are interested in attending college in any state. Easy scholarship open to current high school students and college applicants. Easy $2,500 scholarship from CollegeXpress- open to high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors! To apply, simply fill out the CollegeXpress registration page.

Tips for Scholarship Success

Start Early: Begin your scholarship search and application process well in advance of deadlines.
Stay Organized: Use a spreadsheet or calendar to track deadlines and requirements for each scholarship.
Apply Widely: Apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for to increase your chances of winning.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure your applications are free of errors and typos.
Highlight Your Strengths: Emphasize your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
Tell Your Story: If an essay is required, share your unique experiences and aspirations as a first-generation college student. Even if you are applying for awards that are not exclusively for first-generation students, you should still mention your status in your application if there is an opportunity to do so.
Don't Be Discouraged: Apply even if you think your chances are small.

Additional Resources

UNCF Opportunities: Visit UNCF Opportunities to learn about UNCF scholarships, programs, Internships, and fellowships. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually to over 10,000 students across more than 1,100 institutions nationwide.
Grants.gov: This website lists all federal grants, including the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).
Scholarship Search Tools: Utilize scholarship search tools like Scholly Scholarships and Scholarships360 to find first-generation scholarships that match your profile.

Overcoming Financial Barriers

The journey to higher education presents unique hurdles for first-generation college students. Financial challenges are simply the next problem to solve, not a wall to stop you. The federal government is the largest source of financial aid in the US and offers several grants that do not require repayment.

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