8 First Generation Scholarships to Help You Pay for College

8 First Generation Scholarships to Help You Pay for College SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Paying for college can be challenging for many students.College is expensive and the financial aid process isn’t always transparent or easy to navigate. Fortunately, if you’re willing to spend some time looking, there are many different resources out there that can help you figure out how to pay for college.If you’re a first generation college students, there are many first generation scholarship opportunities that you can apply for. In this article, we’ll explain what first generation college student scholarships are and give a list of scholarships for first generation college students that you can apply for. What Are First Generation College Student Scholarships? First generation scholarships are for students who are among first in their family to attend a four-year college or university.Some first generation scholarships are funded by private sources; others by public. All are designed to help provide access to higher education for a family that has not experienced it before. There are several different definitions of first generation college student scholarships.You’ll need to look carefully at the qualifications for the scholarship you’re applying for to see if you meet them. Here are the typical definitions of a first generation college student. Remember, these definitions vary depending on the school and scholarship: Neither parent has obtained a Bachelor’s or more advanced degree. Neither parent has obtained an Associate’s or more advanced degree. Neither parent nor a sibling has ever enrolled in or attended college. Who Will Qualify For a First Generation Scholarship? Every first generation college student scholarship has a different set of criteria.While there is a common factor (that the winner will be in the first generation of students in the family to attend college), the other qualifications will vary. First generation scholarships may be awarded to first generation students who also demonstrate a strong academic record, for instance, or who show interest in a particular area of study.If you are applying for a first generation scholarship, make sure to read the scholarship’s qualifications and application information to see if you’re a good candidate. First Generation College Student Scholarships List There are many different options for first generation college scholarships out there. Here’s a list of scholarships that target first generation college students. You can always ask the financial aid office at your college or university to see if they offer a similar scholarship if it’s not included here. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program Application Deadline: Varies Amount: $5,000 The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate studentswho are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide. Benjamin and Patricia Allen Scholarship at Iowa State University Application Deadline: 2/2/2019 Amount: Varies Preference is given to first-generation students attending Iowa State University (defined as a student whose parents have not graduated from an institute of higher education with a four-year degree). Colorado Christian University First Generation Minority Scholarship Application Deadline: Varies Amount: Varies The First Generation Minority Student Scholarship is available for students enrolled in the College of Undergraduate Studies at CCU. Cynthia E. Morgan Memorial Scholarship Application Deadline: 2/25/2019 Amount: $1,000 This scholarship was established in 2005 in the name of Cynthia E. Morgan, who passed away in October 2004. It has been established in an attempt to aid select college students in paying for their post-secondary education. This year’s scholarship is set at $1,000. Applicants must be a resident of the State of Maryland. Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program Application Deadline: 3/14/2019 Amount: $5,000 The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is open to underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college-bound students. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree full-time in transportation, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, PreMed, psychology, Spanish language/literature. The applicant does not have to be a U.S. citizen but must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. HEEF Architecture and Engineering Scholarships Application Deadline: 1/19/2019 Amount: $3,000 HEEF scholarships are based on a combination of low-income family background, academic achievement, and involvement in extracurricular activities, community volunteer work, church service or work-employment. Graduating high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA, who have been accepted into an accredited four- or five-year program in architecture or engineering may apply. Odyssey Scholarships Application Deadline: Varies Amount: Varies The Odyssey Scholarship program provides enhanced academic, social, and career support to students from lower-income familiesor who are the first in their families to attend college. Odyssey Scholars are selected on the basis of financial need and family circumstances and will be eligible for additional funding for study abroad and other costs (such as health insurance). Students must apply for need-based financial aid in order to be considered for this need-based university funded scholarship; students selected as Odyssey Scholars usually have family incomes under $90,000. University of Colorado Boulder First Generation Grant Application Deadline: Varies Amount: $8,000 The First Generation Grant is awarded to Colorado residentswhose parents do not have any education or technical training beyond high school. Additionally, students awarded with the First Generation Grant have the opportunity to participate in the First Generation scholars program. Recap: Applying for First Generation Scholarships First generation scholarships are available to applicants who are the first or among the first in their family to attend college. If you are in the first generation of your family to go to college or university, you can apply to be considered for one of these scholarships. There are first generation scholarships available to students at individual universities, as well as scholarships open to students from different geographic areas or studying specific fields. If you think you qualify, it's worth it to look around for different options. What’s Next? A great college application will get you admitted.Useour college acceptance calculatorto get an estimated percentage of your chance of getting into your dream school, based on your SAT or ACT score and GPA. One thing a great college application can have is a high SAT or ACT score.Get expert tips in our guides onhow to get a perfect 36 on the ACTandhow to get a perfect 1600 on the SAT. Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.