Will you be the first member of your family to attend college? If this is the case, you are a first-generation college student.
Many colleges and private organizations provide first-generation scholarships to students who are the first persons in their families to attend college! Continue reading to learn more about these scholarships’ eligibility and award amounts.
What are First Generation Scholarships?
First-generation scholarships are financial awards available only to students who are the first persons in their families to attend college or university. These first-generation college students can pursue a bachelor’s degree in any field. A first-generation scholarship can help with costs such as textbooks, meal plans, tuition, and other expenses that financial aid may not cover
15 Scholarships for First-Generation College Students in 2023
#1. First-Generation Matching Grant Program
Eligibility:
- Florida resident
- First-generation college student
- Degree seeking undergraduate student
- Enrolled for at least 6 credit hours per term
The Florida Department of Education oversees the First Generation Matching Grant Program. Scholarship amounts vary according to merit and need. You must be a current or prospective degree seeking undergraduate student, but you can be studying any subject. The Scholarship is only available to students whose parents have never earned a college degree.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#2. Cynthia E. Morgan Memorial Scholarship Fund
Eligibility:
- Maryland resident
- Junior or senior in high school
- Planning to pursue a healthcare degree
- First-generation college student
The Cynthia E. Morgan Memorial Scholarship Fund can help future doctors. It provides $1,000 to Maryland high school students pursuing a medical or medical-related degree. Doctors, pharmacists, nurses, laboratory scientists, and occupational therapists are all included. Applicants must be first-generation college students planning to attend classes in Maryland.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#3. The Buddy Pierce & Maggie P. Speight Scholarship Fund for the Arts
Eligibility:
- Demonstrated financial need
- Pursuing/chasing a career in music or the arts
The Buddy Pierce & Maggie P. Speight Scholarship Fund for the Arts is funded by two music lovers in Nashville and is for low-income students interested in music or the arts. Scholarship amounts vary, but students in good academic standing can renew them. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee oversees them. You do not have to be a first-generation college student to apply.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#4. Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship
Eligibility:
- 0 GPA
- Current high school senior
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides several scholarships, including one for first-year college students. The Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship is worth a total of $20,000 and is awarded over four years of school.
It is given to 150 students each year. Some universities receive foundation funding to offer a Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship, but these are not available nationwide and have their own independent eligibility criteria. If you’re interested, you’ll have to look for them specifically.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#5. American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Enrolled in a non profit university or tribal school
- 0 GPA
- Enrolled member of a recognized/accredited American Indian tribe
The American Indian College Fund is the sponsor of the Full Circle Scholarship. It is intended for students of American Indian ancestry who want to study full-time at a college or tribal school. To be eligible, you or your parents must be enrolled members of a federally recognized/accredited American Indian tribe, and you must submit documentation, including a transcript, picture, and personal essay. In exchange, you could receive a renewable four-year scholarship to help you pay for your education.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#6. Atkins Educational Foundation Pathway to Success Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Female
- must be a Florida resident
- Applying to any Florida university
- First generation college student
- Eligible for FAFSA & FFAA
- Has applied for at least 2 other scholarships
Female Florida high school students are encouraged to apply for the Atkins Educational Foundation’s Pathway to Success Scholarship. It is transferable to any major, and applicants are eligible to attend any university in Florida as long as they are in-state students. The Pathway to Success Scholarship, on the other hand, is a supplemental scholarship rather than a full ride, and one of the eligibility requirements is that applicants have previously applied for other scholarships.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#7. Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
Eligibility:
- GPA of 3.5
- High-school senior
- Low-income or the underrepresented student
- Majoring in math, engineering, transportation management, science, or other selected disciplines
The Fontana Transport Inc. A California trucking company sponsors the program, but applicants are not required to be California residents. Any low-income or first-generation student qualifies.
You’ll need a solid academic record and a desire to pursue a specific, pre-approved degree, such as transportation management. The Scholarship is worth $5,000 and is renewable.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#8. Red Thread Fellowship Program
Eligibility:
- Female
- International or first-gen student
- Enrolling in a U.S. college
The Red Thread Fellowship Program provides a $1,000 scholarship to female international students. Immigrants, foreign students, and also first-generation college students from underrepresented families are all included.
In addition to the cash prize, winners will receive a year of mentorship from the foundation, including career counseling and networking opportunities. There is no residency or citizenship requirements, but students must be enrolled in a university in the United States.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#9. Taigh Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Vermont resident
- Demonstrates financial need
- Enrolling at least half-time in college
Because the Taigh Scholarship is funded by the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, it is only available to Caledonia County, Vermont residents. Anyone can apply, but first-generation college students who demonstrate a clear financial need through enrollment in programs like FAFSA will be preferred. They can pursue any major, but classes must be at least half-time. The Scholarship program is a one-time payment of $1,000.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#10. BizInsure First Generation Scholarship
Eligibility:
- 18 years or older
- First-generation college student
- Majoring in business or a business-related field
The BizInsure First Generation Scholarship is intended for America’s future business leaders. You must be majoring in business or a business-related field, such as finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing, and management, and you must be the first person in your family to attend college.
In addition to a $2,000 one-time payment, you’ll be eligible for a three-month work placement at the BizInsure headquarters in Oakland, California. BizInsure is a company that assists businesses with their insurance needs, so if you are studying in a related field, this could be a great on-brand internship for your resume.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#11. The Donald White/Mandla A. Ndwanya Memorial Scholarship Fund
Eligibility:
- GPA of 3.5
- Current or a future enrollment in a U.S. university
- Majoring in education, medicine, social work, science, or other selected disciplines
The Donald White/Mandla A. Ndwanya Memorial Scholarship Fund is a cross-cultural scholarship between the United States and South Africa.
It provides $1,000 for students to apply toward tuition and funds trips and internships in Cape Town, South Africa. Anyone may apply, but preference will be given to underrepresented and first-generation students, particularly those attending or also applying to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Applicants must also be majors in pre-approved fields such as education or social work.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#12. Laila Uthman Scholarship
Eligibility:
- High school senior at Oceana High School
- Has overcome significant personal challenges or adversity
The Laila Uthman Scholarship is only available to Oceana High School students in Pacifica, California. However, if you qualify, you could be one of five lucky winners of $1,000.
Applicants can apply to any post-secondary institution, including community college or vocational school, and study full- or part-time. There is no income limit. You need to demonstrate that you have overcome “significant” challenges to arrive where you are today.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#13. The Miranda Scholarship
Eligibility:
- 5 GPA
- Current junior or senior
- Underrepresented, first-generation student
- Majoring in music, theater, or dance
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man responsible for the Broadway show “Hamilton,” is funding this one-of-a-kind Scholarship. It is intended to assist minorities, immigrants, and other underrepresented students with interest in the arts.
The application process is rigorous, requiring an application, interview essay, and audition, but the payoff is 5,000 dollar for up to two years of school. Both juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply. Those who can demonstrate a clear financial need will be given priority.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#14. Walmart Foundation First-Generation Scholarship
Eligibility:
- 5 GPA
- High school senior
- S. citizen or permanent resident
- Low-income, first-generation student
- Attending a historically black college
- Recommended by a counselor
The Walmart Foundation First-Generation Scholarship is available to minority students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) (PBIs). It provides two $3,100 checks for $6,200 in the fall and spring semesters.
Aside from meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants must write an essay answering the question, “What will it mean to you and your community to be the very first person/individual in your family to earn a college degree?”
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
#15. University of Colorado First Generation Scholarship
The University of Colorado offers this First Generation Scholarship. It pays $2,000 per year and is renewable for four years of schooling as long as academic standards are maintained.
There is also a one-time stipend of $2,000 for students living on campus as freshmen. Applicants must be first-generation college students who are receiving FAFSA benefits. Transfer students are also welcome to apply.
For more information on this Scholarship, kindly use the link below:
Conclusion
Make sure to apply for Top scholarships 2023-2024 before the deadline, and also make sure to thoroughly read the scholarship information by utilizing the websites supplied since each of the scholarships mentioned here has distinct qualifying criteria.
Good luck as you apply.