First-generation can be defined in different ways, Whitley says, but generally speaking, the term refers to students from families in which their parents did not earn a four-year degree. According to an NCES report from 2018, recent figures show a third of college students are first-generation. From https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2019-05-14/what-you-should-know-as-a-first-generation-college-student
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: FLORIDA
UNIVERSITY: VARIES
AWARD: VARIES
CONTACT: 1-888-827-2004, OSFA@FLDOE.ORG
The First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG) is a need-based grant program available to degree-seeking, resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need, and are enrolled in eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Eligible students have a parent(s) who has not earned a baccalaureate or higher degree.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: FLORIDA
UNIVERSITY: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN FLORIDA
AWARD: VARIOUS
CONTACT: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA 1 UNF DRIVE JACKSONVILLE, FL 32224-7699 (904) 620-5555 (904) 620-2299 FAX
The University of North Florida participates in Florida’s First Generation Matching Grant Program. Over 300 UNF students were awarded First Generation scholarships in 2007 during its first year, thanks to UNF fundraising efforts and an appropriation from the Florida Legislature.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: FLORIDA
AWARD: VARIES
CITIZENSHIP STATUS: U.S. CITIZEN
CONTACT: 1-888-827-2004, OSFA@FLDOE.ORG
Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE) Program is a need-based grant program available to Florida residents enrolled in certificate programs of 450 or more clock hours at participating Florida colleges (public community colleges) or career centers operated by district school boards.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: FLORIDA
UNIVERSITY: UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN FLORDIA
AWARD: VARIES
CONTACT: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA 1 UNF DRIVE JACKSONVILLE, FL 32224-7699 (904) 620-5555 (904) 620-2299 FAX
The University of North Florida believes that every qualified student should have access to a college education regardless of their ability to pay. Individual donors and companies in the community generously provide students with scholarship support through the UNF Foundation. We seek to assist students in achieving their dreams of earning a bachelor’s degree while developing leadership and growth through Transformational Learning Opportunities (TLOs) including community service, study abroad, and undergraduate research. The UNF Foundation Scholarships office has implemented a new scholarship management system called AcademicWorks. This system allows students to view their eligible scholarships, apply online and manage the acceptance process.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: FLORIDA
AWARD: VARIES
CONTACT: PHONE: 888-827-2004 EMAIL: OSFA@FLDOE.ORG
The Mary McLeod Bethune Scholarship (MMB) provides financial assistance to undergraduate students who meet scholastic requirements, demonstrate financial need, and attend Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University or Florida Memorial University. Each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines and student eligibility.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: PROGRAM + SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: FLORIDA
AWARD: VARIOUS
CONTACT: (850) 922-6740, PREPAID.FOUNDATION@MYFLORIDAPREPAID.COM
The Foundation administers several innovative scholarship programs designed to help students achieve their dream of earning a college education. The Stanley Tate Project STARS (Scholarship Tuition For At-Risk Students) Scholarship Program is the Foundation’s hallmark program. Since the Stanley Tate Project STARS scholarship program began, 32,546 scholarships have been awarded to low-income students at risk of dropping out of school, and who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to attend college. In addition to the Stanley Tate Project STARS program, the Foundation sponsors scholarship programs in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and Black History Month and the Governor’s Recognition Scholarship Program. When combined with the number of scholarships purchased for the Stanley Tate Project STARS program and scholarships purchased by other charitable organizations, the Foundation has awarded almost 42,099 college scholarships, and more than 23,000 students have attended college using their scholarship benefits.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: FLORIDA
AWARD: DOESN'T SPECIFY
ACADEMIC YEAR: HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, COLLEGE FRESHMAN, COLLEGE SOPHOMORE, COLLEGE JUNIOR
CONTACT: DAVID RAY, DAVID.RAY@UNCF.ORD
Wells Fargo Florida Scholarship is restricted to permanent residents of the state of Florida pursuing an undergraduate degree. Students must be full-time, enrolled at an accredited, four-year, U.S. college or university in the state of Florida. Preference will be given to first generation college students (e.g. students whose parent(s) have not graduated from a college or university.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT + RISING PROFESSIONAL
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL
CATEGORY: PROGRAM + TOOL
LOCATION: NATIONAL
The “I Have A Dream” Foundation works to ensure that all children have the opportunity to pursue higher education, fulfill their potential, and achieve their dreams. We empower children (DreamersĀ) in low-income communities to graduate from college by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in postsecondary school, along with tuition support to remove financial barriers. By helping our Dreamers gain access to college, we are putting them on a different academic and life trajectory, while having a broader impact on the students’ families and the generations that follow.
IHDF works with Dreamers after school, on the weekends, and over the summer for over ten years, developing long-term relationships with Dreamers and their families. We provide academic and socio-emotional support to Dreamers, equipping them with the confidence and life skills needed to pursue their most ambitious dreams.
The I Have a DreamĀ Foundation’s mission is to empower children from low-income communities to succeed in school, college, and career by providing academic, social, and emotional support from elementary school through college, along with postsecondary tuition assistance.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: NATIONAL
AWARD: $1,000
CONTACT: ADAMGREENMANSCHOLARSHIP@GMAIL.COM
Adam Greenman, a personal injury, criminal defense, and DUI attorney in Portland, OR wants the brightest and most driven students to receive a quality education regardless of their economic situation, country-of-origin, or ethnicity.
To further this cause, he has created the Adam Greenman American Dream Undergraduate Scholarship, which gives preference to naturalized or first-generation American citizens.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT + HIGH SCHOOL
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: CONNECTICUT
UNIVERSITY: UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
CONTACT: PHONE: 860-679-3484, EMAIL: ROLLINS@UCHC.EDU
The Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative (HPPI) summer and academic year programs were developed to promote diversity in the health professions and is a formal educational consortium offering a comprehensive program of educational enrichment and support activities for underrepresented, disadvantaged and first generation students applying to medical and dental schools, graduate programs in biomedical sciences, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health programs.
Enrichment programs for high school students include: Bridge to the Future Science Mentoring Program, High School Mini Medical/Dental School Program, High School Student Research Apprentice Program, Jumpstart Doctors Academy, Pre-College Academic Enrichment Programs (UConn Storrs & Central Connecticut State University), Pre-College Research Program, and Senior Doctors Academy.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: NATIONAL
CONTACT: HTTPS://AL1GNCONFERENCE.COM/CONTACT/
AL1GN began in 2015 as a coalition FGLI students and the staff who support them, growing to now include hundreds of students, staff, faculty, and administrators from dozens of schools and organizations across the United States. AL1GN seeks to provide a forum on which FGLI students can take control of their own diverse narratives while working together with faculty and staff to spark new and revamped programming at their home institutions. The Alliance for the Low-Income & First-Generation Narrative (AL1GN) is a student-led conference series and coalition dedicated to serving first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students through: Student Emopwerment, National Conferences, Community Building
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT + RISING PROFESSIONAL + PROFESSIONAL + PARENTS, TEACHERS
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: TOOL
LOCATION: NATIONAL
Amazing Educational Resources’ primary goal is to offer free access to the best educational resources to all parents, teachers and students for the foreseeable future.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT + RISING PROFESSIONAL + PROFESSIONAL
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: PROGRAM + TOOL
LOCATION: NATIONAL
AWS Educate Program allows students and educators to learn top cloud skills in leading cloud careers. From Machine Learning Scientist to Application Developer, each pathway aligns to a specific job role and includes 25+ hours of self-paced content with knowledge checks. Earn credentials for completed pathways to share with prospective employers on the AWS Educate Job Board.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT + RISING PROFESSIONAL
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL + LEADERSHIP + CAREER/PHILANTHROPY
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: NEW YORK
UNIVERSITY: BARUCH COLLEGE
CONTACT: BARUCH COLLEGE: 646-312-1000
The America Needs You (ANY) Fellows Program is an intensive two-year program for high-achieving, low-income, first-generation college students. The program has four components: Intensive Career Development, One-on-One Mentorship, Robust Networks, and Holistic Support.
ANY Fellows will be able to participate in workshops the focus on professional skills, career exploration, college completion, and personal growth over the course of two years. Fellows are matched one-on-one with a mentor (Mentor Coach) who provides industry insight and connections as well as help Fellows set goals and stay on track academically and professionally. Fellows will be able to interact with thousands of diverse professionals through workshops, Career Days (on-site employer visits), and internship/job opportunities at companies allowing Fellows to grow their professional, academic, and social networks. ANY also supports Fellows in overcoming personal and academic challenges, such as transfer support for Fellows enrolled in community college. The program also provides up to $2,000 in grants and in-kind contributions over the two years, including business attire.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: NATIONAL
Better Make Room is about creating a space for all the great things you’ll do next, staking a claim, forging a path and lighting the way for others just like you. And it’s a lot more fun to get there together. Get a better education, imagine a better future. You’re about to arrive” and the world better make room.
Reach Higher, an initiative of Better Make Room, seeks to help every student navigate the college-going process by: (1) reaching students where they are at and celebrating their success on social media and through flagship events like College Signing Day; (2) raising awareness about helpful college access tools like FAFSA and Up Next and resources; and (3) enhancing student support systems by building the capacity of the school counseling profession.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL + LEADERSHIP
CATEGORY: PROGRAM + SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: RHODE ISLAND
UNIVERSITY: BROWN UNIVERSITY
AWARD: UP TO $2,000
INDUSTRY: SOCIAL JUSTICE
CONTACT: BETSY SHIMBERG, INTERIM DIRECTOR, SWEARER CENTER, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT: BETSY_SHIMBERG@BROWN.EDU
The Bonner Community Fellows Program at Brown aims to combine a student’s community engagement with their academic and career goals. Bonner Community Fellows are committed to working in a sustained, intentional and intensive way with a community partner that works to address issues in one of our five focus areas: Education, Healthcare, Environment, Economic Justice and the Arts. Together with community partners, Fellows will strive to build socially just communities where people have the resources they need to reach their full potential. We support students of diverse economic and social backgrounds to become leaders through their community engagement; to do so we provide reflection and skill development opportunities, mentorship and advising and financial assistance for income-eligible students.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + LEADERSHIP + CAREER/PHILANTHROPY
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: NATIONAL
The mission of Braven is to empower promising, underrepresented young people”first-generation college students, students from low-income backgrounds, and students of color”with the skills, confidence, experiences and networks necessary to transition from college to strong first jobs, which lead to meaningful careers and lives of impact.
By partnering with large public universities who are working to innovate, Braven:
Builds cutting-edge career education into the undergraduate experience for low-income and first-generation college students. Provides students, who often feel disconnected from campus, with a network of supporters and sense of belonging. Becomes a systemic solution within and across universities to fuel a generation of leaders as diverse as our future demands.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL + LEADERSHIP + CAREER/PHILANTHROPY
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: NATIONAL
CONTACT: N/A
We connect first generation and underrepresented students to caring colleges, generous scholarships, and life-changing counselors and mentors.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL + CAREER/PHILANTHROPY
CATEGORY: TOOL
LOCATION: NATIONAL
CONTACT: HTTPS://NCES.ED.GOV/HELP/WEBMAIL/
College Navigator consists primarily of the latest data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the core postsecondary education data collection program for NCES “ the National Center for Education Statistics.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT + RISING PROFESSIONAL + PROFESSIONAL
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL + LEADERSHIP + CAREER/PHILANTHROPY
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: MINNESOTA
ACADEMIC YEAR: PARTICIPANTS ARE 11TH AND 12TH GRADERS AND/OR CURRENT UNDERGRADS
CONTACT: EMAIL: INFO@COLLEGEPOSSIBLE.ORG TEL: 651-288-9455
College Possible makes college admission and success possible for low-income students through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. Since its founding in 2000, College Possible has become a leading organization in the field of college access and success with a track record of best-in-class results, rigorous evaluation and innovation.
In a flagship program, students attend after-school sessions for two hours twice a week throughout their junior and senior years of high school. Over the course of these two years, students participate in up to 320 hours of programming in a supportive group of college-bound peers. Coaches implement an interactive curriculum designed to guide students through the key aspects of preparing for college. After high school, College Possible students receive coaching through the transition to college and are supported all the way through college graduation. Depending on the college they attend, students will receive in-person coaching on campus or technology-based coaching. Coaches assist students in connecting them to resources on campus, tackling barriers and identifying future opportunities.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL + CAREER/PHILANTHROPY
CATEGORY: TOOL
LOCATION: NATIONAL
CONTACT: PHONE: 317-829-0483 EMAIL: INFO@COMPLETECOLLEGE.ORG
Since our founding in 2009, we’ve learned valuable lessons from our Alliance Members, staff, partners, fellows and other practitioners about successfully scaling college completion efforts. The Scaling Standards below provide concrete, verifiable, and deliberate areas of focus that strengthen implementation of Game Changer strategies.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + LEADERSHIP
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: WEST VIRGINIA
UNIVERSITY: CONCORD UNIVERSITY
CONTACT: LKARNES@CONCORD.EDU
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, more commonly referred to as the McNair Scholars Program, awards grants to institutions of higher learning for projects designed to prepare participants for doctoral studies through involvement with research and other scholarly activities. The program targets and recruits promising students during either their sophomore or junior year. To qualify, students must be either income-eligible and first-generation or a member of an underrepresented group in higher education. Currently, there are a total of 187 McNair Scholars Programs nationwide serving 5,242 Scholars.
The Concord University McNair Scholars Program requires each Scholar to conduct research with a faculty mentor and complete a summer internship. The Concord Program provides access to training and resources designed to make the transition into graduate school smooth and successful. Through workshops, academic counseling, and other services, the Program helps Scholars prepare for the graduate school experience academically, financially, and socially. The Concord McNair Program serves 30 students annually from Concord University, West Virginia State University, and Bluefield State College. The Concord McNair Program was initiated in 1995, is currently funded through 2022, and is the only such program in the state of West Virginia.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL + LEADERSHIP + CAREER/PHILANTHROPY
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: WEST VIRGINIA
UNIVERSITY: CONCORD UNIVERSITY
CONTACT: EMAIL: SUPPORT@CONCORD.EDU TEL: 1-304-384-6088
Student Support Services is a federally-funded TRiO grant program that has been serving Concord University students since 1973. Each year the Concord SSS Program assists 206 qualified students in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines. All participants must meet the qualifying criteria of being first generation, income eligible, or having a documented physical or learning disability.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION + PERSONAL
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: WEST VIRGINIA
UNIVERSITY: DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE
CONTACT: EMAIL: DEUPWARDBOUND@GMAIL.COM TEL: 1-800-624-3157
D&E’s Upward Bound mission is to guide low-income and first-generation Appalachian high school students to post-secondary success. The TRiO programs help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education.
LIFE STAGE: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT + COLLEGE STUDENT + RISING PROFESSIONAL
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: NATIONAL
CONTACT: 832-350-3061
EMERGE empowers & prepares high performing students from underserved communities to attend and graduate from selective colleges & universities across the nation.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: PROGRAM
LOCATION: NATIONAL
UNIVERSITY: BLUEGRASS COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE
CONTACT: (855) 246-2477
The FSEOG is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need – those with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA. The award is administered directly by the financial aid office. Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority for FSEOG awards.
LIFE STAGE: COLLEGE STUDENT
TOPIC: EDUCATION
CATEGORY: SCHOLARSHIP
LOCATION: NATIONAL
The best scholarships for first-generation college students have a few things in common. They might differ in terms of value, eligibility or admission rules, but they’re all designed to help low-income students get on the same playing field as others. Every student has the right to equal education, and with these scholarships, a first-gen student can achieve the American dream just like anyone else.