Pursuing a college degree is a challenging endeavor no matter who you are. If you are a first-generation college student though, the process of applying to school, financing your education, and succeeding in the classroom can be overwhelming. Many first-generation students may feel as if they have to navigate the college process alone, since they cannot lean on their parents for guidance. However, we’re here to tell you that If you’re a first-generation college student pursuing a college degree, you’re not alone, and there are many resources to help you.
Resources like grants, federal student aid, educational websites, and scholarships can help you during your higher education journey. Scholarships, in particular, are a great opportunity to gain financial support. Scholarships for first-gen students are specifically designed to lessen the financial burdens that can come with being a trailblazer in your family.
These scholarships recognize the unique challenges and perseverance required of students who are paving the educational path for themselves and future generations of their family. Many first generation scholarships also help recipients by providing mentoring and networking opportunities to ensure your success in the classroom and beyond.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best scholarships for first-generation students currently available with the help of Bold.org. The following scholarships range in reward amounts and specific requirements, so be sure to review them carefully so you can apply for the ones that are most appropriate for your situation. Remember, whether you’re just starting college or you’re already on your way to achieving your degree, it’s never too late to apply for scholarships and take advantage of the support available to you.
Get access to 200+ other scholarships that you may be eligible for with a single, easy to use form at the Scholarship Institute!
What Are Scholarships for First-Generation Students?
First-generation scholarships, sometimes referred to as First in Family scholarships, are financial awards that are only rewarded to applicants who are the first in their family to attend college or university. A first-generation scholarship can help with a variety of costs, including:
- Tuition
- Textbooks
- Housing
- Meal plans and more
How Do You Qualify for a First Generation Scholarship?
To qualify for a first-generation scholarship, the primary criterion is that the applicant must be the first in their family to attend college or university. Each scholarship may have other eligibility criteria, often highlighted in the application guidelines. Be sure to review each scholarship carefully to ensure that you match their specific requirements.
First-Generation College Student Scholarships to Apply for in 2025
Apply below to First-Generation Scholarships with upcoming deadlines. New scholarships added weekly!
Ryan McAuliffe Memorial Award
This scholarship aims to support young women as they prepare to finish their high school years and begin college.
- Award Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: March 29, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 28, 2025
Josh Edwards Memorial Scholarship For Creative Artists
This scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Josh Edwards by supporting students who share his calling to artistic endeavors.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July 7, 2025
- Winners Announced: August 6, 2025
Paula C. Collie Future Educators Scholarship
This scholarship aims to honor the life of Paula C. Collie by supporting students who are pursuing degrees in education.
- Award Amount: $625
- Deadline: April 1, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 30, 2025
Dr. Christine Lawther First in the Family Scholarship
This scholarship aims to support students who are forging new paths for their families by obtaining college degrees.
- Award Amount: $1,100
- Deadline: July 23, 2025
- Winners Announced: August 22, 2025
Palette & Purpose Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to support BIPOC students who are interested in pursuing the arts.
- Award Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: March 15, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 14, 2025
Code Breakers & Changemakers Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to support underrepresented high school students who are passionate about pursuing careers in STEM.
- Award Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: March 15, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 14, 2025
Maria’s Legacy: Alicia’s Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to honor Maria’s legacy by supporting students throughout their higher education journeys.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: May 2, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 31, 2025
Ronald and Betty Thomas Educational Scholarship
This scholarship will support high school students in Florida majoring in education.
- Award Amount: $725
- Deadline: June 11, 2025
- Winners Announced: July 10, 2025
Jesus Perez Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship aims to honor Jesus Perez and other individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to empower future generations by supporting Puerto Rican students pursuing careers in law.
- Award Amount: $625
- Deadline: May 1, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 29, 2025
Utah First Generation Student Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to support students who are the first in their families to complete their college degrees.
- Award Amount: $2,800
- Deadline: March 10, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 9, 2025
Adam Montes Pride Scholarship
This scholarship aims to honor the life of Adam Montes by supporting underrepresented students on the road to higher education.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 22, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 21, 2025
Lisa and Josh World Scholarship
This study abroad scholarship is aimed at first-generation undergraduate students who are U.S citizens.
- Award Amount: $5,500
- Deadline: March 28, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 3, 2025
Kumar Family Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to support underserved students who need financial assistance in order to pursue higher education.
- Award Amount: $500
- Deadline: March 29, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 28, 2025
James Lynn Baker II #BeACoffeeBean Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Baker by supporting students in Texas who are pursuing higher education.
- Award Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: March 30, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 29, 2025
First-Gen Flourishing Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to support students who need help paying for college so they can achieve all of their goals.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 31, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 30, 2025
Aurora Rocha Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Aurora Rocha by supporting Hispanic students who are pursuing college in order to make a difference.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 31, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 29, 2025
Leo J. Landry Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Leo J. Landry by supporting students who wish to dedicate their lives to service in order to make a difference in the world.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 1, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 30, 2025
Lori Nethaway Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship will support a female high school senior in California.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 1, 2025
- Winners Announced: April 30, 2025
Spaghetti and Butter Scholarship
This scholarship aims to support first-generation students so they can overcome the hurdles they face and achieve their goals.
- Award Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 2, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 1, 2025
Saswati Gupta Cancer Research Scholarship
This scholarship aims to support female students interested in medicine or biology so they can go on to advance cancer research and prevention.
- Award Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: April 6, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 5, 2025
Goobie-Ramlal Education Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to offer recognition and relief to college-bound students who stand on the shoulders of their hardworking immigrant families.
- Award Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: April 7, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 6, 2025
New Jersey First Generation Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to help two first-generation college students from New Jersey pay for college.
- Award Amount: $7,500
- Deadline: April 9, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 8, 2025
Eleven Scholarship
This scholarship aims to inspire high school seniors and undergraduate students who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields.
- Award Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 14, 2025
Breaking Barriers Scholarship for Women
This scholarship aims to recognize and celebrate the resilience and courage exhibited by young women from immigrant backgrounds as they pursue higher education and carve out their own paths.
- Award Amount: $10,000
- Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 14, 2025
Cyber Scholar Now Scholarship
This scholarship will support a BIPOC, first-generation college student attending an HBCU.
- Award Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 15, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 14, 2025
Aserina Hill Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship aims to preserve Aserina Hill’s legacy of giving by providing students with financial aid so they have the opportunity to attend college.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 16, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 15, 2025
Skylar’s Hope Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to honor the memory of Skylar Holly by supporting students who share his passion for helping others and making the world safer.
- Award Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 22, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 21, 2025
Gomez Family Legacy Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to support underserved Hispanic students in Texas so they can have the resources they need to pursue higher education.
- Award Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: April 30, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 29, 2025
Jayson Desmond Bailey Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship aims to honor the memory of Jayson Desmond Bailey by supporting students who share his passion for social change to combat bullying.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: April 30, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 29, 2025
Marian “Nana” Rouche Memorial Scholarship
By providing support to deserving recipients in their pursuit of education, this scholarship ensures that Marian’s legacy lives on, perpetuating her values of community service, love, and family bonds for generations to come.
- Award Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 30, 2025
- Winners Announced: May 30, 2025
How to Find First-Generation Scholarships
Looking for scholarships can be a complicated and lengthy process, especially if you don’t know where to start. But, there are a lot of resources available to help students find scholarships that they qualify for:
Online Resources & Scholarship Databases
Numerous websites, like ScholarshipInstitute.org, are dedicated exclusively to scholarship listings. These platforms allow you to filter scholarships by specific criteria, such as “first-generation college students,” making your search more targeted and efficient.
School Resources
Leverage the support from your high school or college’s advisory and financial aid offices. Counselors and advisors are often knowledgeable about scholarships that are not widely advertised and can provide personalized guidance based on your academic profile and needs.
Community and Local Nonprofits
Local community organizations and nonprofits frequently offer scholarships for residents, including those specifically for first-generation students. Check community centers, local chapters of national organizations, and even your local library for posted scholarship information.
Networking
Don’t underestimate the power of networking. Speak with older students who are also first-generation college attendees, as they might have insights and recommendations on scholarship opportunities they have encountered or utilized.
Tips for Winning First-Generation Scholarships
Securing a scholarship as a first-generation student can significantly impact your college journey. Here are some tips to enhance your chances:
Start Looking Early
The best strategy is to begin your scholarship search as early as high school. Students who begin looking when they’re in high school have more time to apply for and win scholarships. Starting early gives you the opportunity to better prepare your applications and meet early deadlines, which can increase your chances of success.
Be Aware of What the Scholarship Requires
Pay close attention to the scholarship requirements. For scholarships that require an essay, make sure that your essay answers all parts of the prompt. Be sure your application essays directly address the prompt and showcase the impact the scholarship will have on you. Clear, concise, and compelling responses that reflect your personal journey and the significance of your educational pursuits can set you apart from other applicants.
Look for Smaller Award Amounts, Too
While it’s tempting to only apply for large scholarships, don’t overlook the smaller ones. Another way to increase your chances of winning is to go for scholarships with smaller award amounts. Smaller scholarships often have fewer applicants, which naturally increases your chances of winning. Plus, several smaller awards can cumulatively cover a significant portion of your college expenses.
Many students often go for the higher dollar amounts in hopes of “winning more” and getting the most money possible. However, a lot of students will apply for these same scholarships for this reason, making the pool of students larger and thus resulting in a smaller chance of winning.
Frequently Asked Questions About First-Generation Scholarships
What Exactly Qualifies Someone As a ‘First-Generation’ Student?
Typically, you’re considered first-generation if neither of your parents has completed a four-year college degree. However, some scholarships have more specific definitions, so it’s crucial to check each scholarship’s criteria.
Can I Apply for First-Generation Scholarships If I Am Attending a Community College or Vocational School?
Yes, many first-generation scholarships are available, irrespective of the type of post-secondary institution. So, you don’t need to earn a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for these scholarships. Each scholarship will have its own requirements. Whether you’re at a community college, vocational school, or a traditional four-year university, there are likely scholarships available.
Are There Scholarships for First-Generation Students Who Are Also Minorities or Have Other Special Circumstances?
Absolutely. There are often additional scholarships aimed at students who meet multiple criteria, such as being both a first-generation student and a member of a minority group. Search here for more scholarship opportunities!
Can International Students Apply for First-Generation Scholarships in the U.S.?
Some scholarships are available to international students who are the first in their family to attend college. These opportunities vary by the scholarship provider, so international students should carefully review eligibility requirements and reach out to the scholarship sponsors to clarify their eligibility.
Are There First-Gen Scholarships for Graduate Students?
Yes, first-in-family scholarships are available to graduate students as well. Many organizations recognize the unique challenges faced by first-generation students pursuing advanced degrees and offer scholarships specifically tailored to support their continued education.
Undergraduate students seeking a four-year college degree can access a variety of resources, such as scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs, designed to support their educational pursuits and help manage the costs associated with higher learning.
Lucy Maddox
Lucy’s international upbringing in Hong Kong and love for literature have shaped her multifaceted background. She attended university in Middlebury, Vermont, before settling in Arlington, Virginia. In her free time, Lucy enjoys True Crime podcasts, thrillers, literary fiction, running, hiking, exploring Washington, D.C.'s newest restaurants, and blogging about her latest travels.
