Despite originality and creativity, novelty has inherent drawbacks. Chief among these is a notable absence of footsteps to follow and having no mold or model of basic strategies for success and forward progress.<\/p>\n
Such realities are the same reasons why would-be scholars with families that have no college degree holders face huge obstacles to their own academic advancement. Besides sources of practical guidance, they often lack pecuniary resources due to direct correlation between income and education levels.<\/p>\n
As such, those looking to escape a cycle of low earnings via higher learning are often caught in a cruel catch-22. Fortunately, detours exist to bypass barriers frequently encountered by family pioneers of Academia. Begin all quests for best funding solutions in the list below of scholarships for first-generation students.<\/p>\n
DEADLINE: May 11<\/p>\n
The Bar Association of San Francisco, or BASF, sponsors this fund that makes renewable annual awards of $10,000 to assist deserving legal scholars at economic disadvantage of underrepresented groups in the legal profession.<\/p>\n
Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n
\u2022 African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native Alaskan, Native American, or Pacific Islander
\n\u2022 Attend a Bay Area law school accredited by the American Bar Association, or ABA
\n\u2022 Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average, or GPA, of 3.5<\/p>\n
Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n 301 Battery Street, 3rd Floor DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n The McLennan Community College First Generation College Student Initiative, or MCC-FGCSI, is on a mission to instill a collegiate mindset into promising local scholars without parental example, especially in the African American and Hispanic communities. Toward this end, it makes up to 18 renewable annual awards of $4,000 to assist deserving MCC students cover attendance costs.<\/p>\n Primary influential selections factors include:<\/p>\n \u2022 First-generation status Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Bernard & Audre Rapoport McLennan Community College First Generation Scholars DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n General Motors Foundation, or GMF, sponsors this program that makes 100 renewable annual awards of up to $25,000 and 1,000 one-time awards of $2,000 to assist undergraduates pursuing automotive careers.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A high school senior or graduate or current undergraduate student Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Buick Achievers Scholarship Program DEADLINE: March 8<\/p>\n Jointly sponsored by Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, or VSAC, and the family of the named honoree and former VSAC outreach counselor dedicated to helping first-generation college entrants, this fund makes at least one annual award of $1,000.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Attending an accredited school eligible for Title IV federal financial aid such as Pell Grants and PLUS loans Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Carol A. Hurley Memorial Scholarship DEADLINE: February 10<\/p>\n Touted as the most prestigious scholarship available at North Carolina\u2019s Catawba College, application is by invitation only. Prior acceptance by Catawba is a mandatory prerequisite to be invited. Invitees must then provide an educator recommendation along with other required materials by the deadline. Such exclusivity is fully justified by renewable full-tuition awards.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Minimum aggregate SAT math and reading sub-score of 1100 or ACT composite score of 25 Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Catawba College’s First Family Scholarships DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n The Cesar Chavez Latino Scholarship Fund and PepsiCo jointly sponsor this scholarship that makes 11 annual awards of up to $5,000 to assist Latino scholars pursue higher education in Arizona.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Of Latino descent Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Cesar Chavez Memorial Leadership Award DEADLINE: Varies<\/p>\n Designed as a clearinghouse of college preparation resources for Chicago high school students, Chooseyourfuture.org provides an exhaustive list of strategic scholarships that assist special-needs scholars.<\/p>\n As eligibility criteria and deadlines vary widely among dozens of featured programs, learn more details at http:\/\/www.chooseyourfuture.org\/scholarships<\/a>.<\/p>\n Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Choose Your Future Scholarship DEADLINE: October 31<\/p>\n Chosen recipients get annual awards of $5,000, renewable for up to four academic years as well as support for smooth transitions to college life and career development advice.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A full-time freshman Applications must be submitted to appropriate institutional office.<\/p>\n Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n Sponsored by University of Colorado at Boulder, First Generations Scholars is among many holistic CU-LEAD initiatives that provide personal development, academic advisement, and community engagement for recipients. Annual awards are $200 to $2,000, based on unmet financial need and may be renewed for up to 10 academic semesters.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Colorado residency Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n CU Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, & Diversity Scholarship DEADLINE: February 25<\/p>\n For the upcoming academic year, this memorial scholarship promises an annual award of $1,000 to a first-generation Maryland medical student.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Current Maryland residency Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Cynthia E. Morgan Memorial Scholarship DEADLINE: May 1<\/p>\n Sponsor Rhode Island Foundation makes renewable annual award(s) of $1,000 to first-generation in its served state.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A Rhode Island high school senior Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship DEADLINE: January 15<\/p>\n Sponsored by Rochester, New York-based St. John Fisher College, or Fisher, this fund makes 24 renewable annual awards to first-generation freshmen. Amounts are based on financial need and range from $5,000 to half-tuition and half of on-campus room and board.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A first-generation student whose parents are not college graduates Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Fannie & Sam Constantino First Generation Scholarship Program DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n College Parents of America, or CPA, sponsors this scholarship that makes renewable annual awards of $1,000 to outstanding first-generation college students.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A high school senior Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n P. Doug Laughlin Family Scholarship DEADLINE: N\/A<\/p>\n Self-professed training mecca for culinary stars, CIA provides this fund that makes eight annual renewable awards of full tuition to first-generation aspiring culinarians.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Residency in a major U.S. metropolis No separate application form is necessary, as students are automatically considered by the CIA Financial Aid Office.<\/p>\n Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n First Generation Inner-City Scholarships – Culinary Institute of America DEADLINE: Contact administrator<\/p>\n FFGMG is a need-based state-funded program that assists first-generation Florida undergraduates with renewable annual awards equal to unmet financial need.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A Florida resident Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Florida First Generation Matching Grant DEADLINE: March<\/p>\n The Asian Pacific Fund makes awards of $1,500 to assist needy minority students cover costs of attending the University of California, or UC.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Full-time entering freshmen at UC Liberal arts majors receive preferential consideration.<\/p>\n Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Human Capital Scholarship DEADLINE: October 1 for spring term, March 1 for fall term<\/p>\n Since its 1988 founding, IFSA-Butler has strived to reverse the low study abroad rate among first-generation students by awarding up to $2,500 for airfare, VISA and passport, and housing costs for up to a year of studies in a foreign country.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A minimum 2.7 GPA Strong preference is given to candidates who apply for one of four IFSA-Butler Spotlight Programs distinguished for academic quality, pre-professional support, and affordability.<\/p>\n Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n IFSA-Butler First Generation College Student Program DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n Nominated among 2012 Scholarship Providers of the Year, Center for Study Opportunity makes four-year renewable annual awards of $2,000 to first-year generation students.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Current home school or high school seniors in the U.S. Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n I’m First Scholarship DEADLINE: Open<\/p>\n TIP grants help neediest Wisconsans at greatest educational disadvantage get higher learning with lower debt loads.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Wisconsin residency Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Wisconsin Talent Incentive Program TIP Grants DEADLINE: N\/A<\/p>\n Annual awards of $5,000 are made to 600 ambitious Texas A&M University students that may be renewed up to four years without regard for other financial assistance.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A first-generation college student, by virtue of neither parent having a bachelor\u2019s degree Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Regents’ Scholarship – Texas A&M DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n FGI has a design of providing educational access and support to smooth first-generation student transitions into Academia. Its exceptional efforts include full payment of tuition, textbook, room and board, and technology fees in addition to extensive non-economic educational support.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 First family member to attend college Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Saint Mary\u2019s University First-Generation Initiative Scholarship DEADLINE: February 16<\/p>\n Jointly sponsored by the Hispanic College Fund, or HSF, and Sallie Mae Foundation, this fund makes annual awards of $500 to $5,000 that assist promising Hispanic students.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Of Hispanic descent or ethnicity Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Sallie Mae First in My Family Scholarship DEADLINE: Contact sponsor<\/p>\n A U.S. Department of Education initiative, SSS seeks to enable academic excellence by UC Berkeley first-generation students of modest means. Awards consist of special grants that partially offset student loan debt.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A first-generation student, by virtue of neither parent having a four-year college degree Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Student Support Services Scholars Academy, or SSS DEADLINE: Contact administrator<\/p>\n A group of Vermonters established this fund to facilitate educational access by first-generation college students in remote areas of their state. Number and amount of annual awards vary.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 Attending an accredited Title IV-approved institution Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n Taigh Scholarship DEADLINE: Contact administrator<\/p>\n This collaborative effort by TELACU Educational Foundation and Toyota is designed to meet exponential growth in demand for Latino professionals. It meets that end with several hundred annual awards of $5,000 to graduate students of desired ethnicity and educational major.<\/p>\n Applicants must have\/be:<\/p>\n \u2022 A first-generation college student Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n TELACU David C. Lizarraga Fellowship
\nBar Association of San Francisco
\nSan Francisco, CA 94111
\nEmail: nbrittonsnyder@sfbar.org
\nFor updates, see http:\/\/www.sfbar.org\/jdc\/diversity\/educational-programs\/scholarships.aspx#anchor02<\/a>.<\/p>\n2. Bernard & Audre Rapoport McLennan Community College First Generation Scholars<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 High academic potential, as evidenced by high school grades, standardized admissions test scores, and writing sample quality
\n\u2022 Cognizance of current events<\/p>\n
\nCrystal Anthony, FGCSI Coordinator
\nPhone: 254-299-8597
\nEmail: canthony@mclennan.edu
\nLearn more at http:\/\/www.mclennan.edu\/firstgen\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n3. Buick Achievers Scholarship Program<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Enroll full-time in an accredited four-year U.S. institution for the entire academic year of award, excluding online and proprietary schools
\n\u2022 Major in a field with a focus on engineering or specific design or business-related disciplines, per GMF criteria
\n\u2022 Demonstrated interest in an automotive or related career
\n\u2022 U.S. citizenship with permanent U.S. or Puerto Rican residency
\n\u2022 Demonstrated academic achievement and financial need
\n\u2022 Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA<\/p>\n
\nTo request notification of next application acceptance period, enter personal contact information at http:\/\/www.buickachievers.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n4. Carol A. Hurley Memorial Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Graduate of a high school listed at http:\/\/www.vsac.org\/ebook\/VSAC%20scholarships%20booklet%20for%20Vermonters\/files\/assets\/basic-html\/page25.html.
\n\u2022 A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need
\n\u2022 Demonstrated school and\/or community involvement<\/p>\n
\nVermont Student Assistance Corporation
\n10 East Allen Street
\nPO Box 2000
\nWinooski, VT 05404
\nPhone: 888-253-4819 or 802-654-3798<\/p>\n5. Catawba College’s First Family Scholarships<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A minimum 3.5 minimum GPA
\n\u2022 An entering freshman<\/p>\n
\nCatawba College Financial Aid Office
\n2300 W Innes St
\nSalisbury, NC 28144
\nPhone: (704) 637-4416 or 1-800-CATAWBA
\nEmail: finaid@catawba.edu<\/p>\n6. Cesar Chavez Memorial Leadership Award<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Attend an accredited Arizona postsecondary institution
\n\u2022 Demonstrated academic excellence, extracurricular activity leadership, and commitment to volunteerism
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need<\/p>\n
\nCesar Chavez Foundation Education Institute
\nPhone: (213) 362-0260
\nEmail: edu@chavezfoundation.org<\/p>\n7. Choose Your Future Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\nChicago Public Schools
\nOffice of College and Career Preparation
\n125 S. Clark St., 12th Floor
\nChicago, IL 60603
\nPhone: (773) 553-2108<\/p>\n8. Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A minimum 3.0 GPA
\n\u2022 A first-generation student, as defined by having no parent or sibling who ever attended college<\/p>\n
\nCoca-Cola Scholars Program
\nPhone: 800-306-2653
\nEmail: scholars@coca-cola.com<\/p>\n9. CU Leadership, Excellence, Achievement, & Diversity Scholarship, or CU-LEAD<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Parents with no postsecondary education, training, or certification of any kind
\n\u2022 Enrolled in a CU-Boulder undergraduate degree program
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need<\/p>\n
\nJustina Boyd, 1st Gen Co-Coordinator
\nPhone: 303-492-7194
\nEmail: Justina.Boyd@colorado.edu<\/p>\n10. Cynthia E. Morgan Memorial Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Currently or planning to attend an accredited Maryland postsecondary institution
\n\u2022 The first immediate family member to attend an accredited Maryland postsecondary school
\n\u2022 Plan to pursue a medical or medical-related career<\/p>\n
\n5516 Maudes Way
\nWhite Marsh, MD 21162
\nEmail: administrator@cemsfund.com
\nApply at www.cemsfund.com.<\/p>\n11. Patty & Melvin Alperin First Generation Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Parents who are non-college graduates
\n\u2022 Accepted by or attending an accredited postsecondary school
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need<\/p>\n
\nAlison Jackson
\nPhone: (401) 427-4010
\nEmail: ajackson@rifoundation.org
\nApply at https:\/\/www.grantrequest.com\/SID_983?SA=SNA&FID=35214<\/a>.<\/p>\n12. Fannie & Sam Constantino First Generation Scholarship Program<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A high school senior planning to enroll at Fisher the next fall
\n\u2022 File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, by February 15
\n\u2022 Meet standing Fisher admission criteria of minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and combined SAT math and reading score of 1000 or higher.<\/p>\n
\nFreshman Admissions
\nPhone: (585) 385-8064
\nEmail: admissions@sjfc.edu
\nApply at https:\/\/forms.sjfc.edu\/first-generation-scholarship-application\/?utm_source=go.sjfc.edu&utm_medium=urlshortener<\/a>.<\/p>\n13. P. Doug Laughlin Family Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Rank within upper 50 percent of graduating class
\n\u2022 First family member to attend college
\n\u2022 Pursue a first bachelor\u2019s degree
\n\u2022 CPA membership
\n\u2022 Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA<\/p>\n
\n2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 102-396
\nArlington, VA. 22201
\n(888) 761-6702<\/p>\n14. First Generation Inner-City Scholarships – Culinary Institute of America, or CIA<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A first-generation college student, as defined by both parents being non-graduates of any college or university
\n\u2022 A minimum 3.0 GPA
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need, by virtue of FAFSA data<\/p>\n
\nStudent Financial & Registration Services
\n1946 Campus Drive
\nHyde Park, NY 12538
\nPhone: 845-451-1500
\nEmail: SFRS@culinary.edu<\/p>\n15. Florida First Generation Matching Grant, or FFGMG<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
\n\u2022 No previous baccalaureate or higher degree
\n\u2022 Accepted by or attending a Florida institution listed at ww.flbog.org\/aboutsus\/universities\/ or www.fldoe.org\/cc\/colleges.asp
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need by eligibility for a Florida Public Student Assistance Grant and FAFSA data
\n\u2022 Enroll in at least six credits per term in a degree program
\n\u2022 Be a first-generation student, by virtue of neither parent having earned a baccalaureate degree or residing with and receiving support from just one parent who has no baccalaureate degree<\/p>\n
\nPhone: 1-888-827-2004
\nEmail: osfa@fldoe.org<\/p>\n16. Human Capital Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A minimum 2.7 GPA
\n\u2022 Of low-income economic status
\n\u2022 African American, Asian American, Latino, or other underrepresented minority<\/p>\n
\nAsian Pacific Fund
\n465 California Street, Suite 809
\nSan Francisco CA 94104
\nPhone: 415-395-9985
\nEmail: info@asianpacificfund.org<\/p>\n17. Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University First Generation College Student Program, or ISFA-Butler<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A first-generation college student<\/p>\n
\nBecki Niccum
\nPhone: 317-940-3077
\nEmail: bniccum@ifsa-butler.org<\/p>\n18. I’m First Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 First-generation college students, by virtue of neither parent having earned a four-year college degree
\n\u2022 Attend an I\u2019m First Partner College
\n\u2022 Demonstrated need for financial and academic support
\n\u2022 Exhibit strong writing and blogging skills
\n\u2022 Demonstrated leadership and community service experience or commitment and commitment to expanding first-generation educational opportunities<\/p>\n
\nKrista D\u2019Amelio
\nPhone: (301) 363-4551
\nEmail: krista@imfirst.org<\/p>\n19. Wisconsin Talent Incentive Program Grants, or TIP<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A first-time college freshman or Continuing TIP sophomore applicant
\n\u2022 Enrolled at least half-time
\n\u2022 Attend an accredited Wisconsin postsecondary school
\n\u2022 Meet at least one Financial Need criterion of public assistance recipient, low income, or unemployment
\n\u2022 Meet at least one Nontraditional\/Disadvantaged criterion of first-generation student status, former incarceration, special academic support needs, ADA-defined disability, or detrimental academic and environmental background<\/p>\n
\nMohini Moholkar
\nPhone: (414) 227-4358<\/p>\n20. Regents’ Scholarship – Texas A&M<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 FAFSA-verified adjusted gross income below $40,000
\n\u2022 Maintain satisfactory academic progress
\n\u2022 Complete 30 credits per academic award year<\/p>\n
\nThe Pavilion 200, Spence Street
\n1252 TAMU
\nCollege Station, TX 77843
\nLearn more at https:\/\/scholarships.tamu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n21. Saint Mary\u2019s University First-Generation Initiative Scholarship, or FGI<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Minimum 3.0 GPA
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need
\n\u2022 Demonstrated leadership potential<\/p>\n
\nJane Anderson, Ph.D., Director
\n700 Terrace Heights #23
\nWinona, MN 55987
\nPhone: (800) 635-5987, ext. 6621 or (507) 457-6621
\nEmail: janders1@smumn.edu<\/p>\n22. Sallie Mae First in My Family Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 First family member to attend college
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need
\n\u2022 A minimum 3.0 GPA
\n\u2022 An undergraduate college student<\/p>\n
\nAuri Duarte, HCF Program Manager
\nPhone: (202) 296-5400
\nEmail: hcf-info@hispanicfund.org<\/p>\n23. Student Support Services Scholars Academy, or SSS<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 A freshman or sophomore attending UC Berkeley
\n\u2022 Low-income per Department of Education guidelines at
\nhttps:\/\/www2.ed.gov\/about\/offices\/list\/ope\/trio\/incomelevels.html<\/a><\/p>\n
\nJavane Strong, Assistant Director
\n2515 Channing Way #2410
\nBerkeley, CA 94720
\nPhone: (510) 643-6287
\nEmail: jastrong@berkeley.edu<\/p>\n24. Taigh Scholarship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Caledonia County residents
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need
\n\u2022 Exhibit strong education and work ethics<\/p>\n
\n10 East Allen Street
\nPO Box 2000
\nWinooski, VT 05404
\nPhone: 888-253-4819 or 802-654-3798<\/p>\n25. TELACU David C. Lizarraga Fellowship<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Of Latino ethnic origin
\n\u2022 Pursuing a graduate degree in engineering or business administration
\n\u2022 A minimum 2.5 GPA
\n\u2022 Maintain full-time enrollment throughout entire academic year of award
\n\u2022 Demonstrated financial need<\/p>\n
\n5400 E Olympic Blvd., 3rd Floor
\nLos Angeles, CA 90022
\nPhone: 323-721-1655
\nEmail: collegesuccess@TELACU.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"