12 Scholarships for First-Generation College Students

1. Colorado Mesa University's First Generation Scholarship

• Deadline: Varies
• Award Amount: $1,000 a year

Offered to incoming first-year learners whose parents do not possess a bachelor's degree, this award requires applicants to complete the FAFSA and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This award can be renewed as long as a student takes at least 12 credits each semester and keeps their Colorado Mesa University GPA at 3.0 or above.

2. Dorrance Scholarship Programs

• Deadline: January
• Award Amount: $12,000 a year for up to four years

Designed for first-generation college students in Arizona, the Dorrance Scholarship Programs provide awards to applicants who demonstrate financial need. Recipients receive a $12,000 scholarship each year for up to four academic years, so long as they continue to meet all requirements. Applicants must possess a GPA of at least 3.0 and score at least 1110 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT. They must also attend one of Arizona's three public universities.

3. Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program

• Deadline: Varies
• Award Amount: Varies

Provided by the Florida Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance, applicants to the FGMG program must demonstrate need and be enrolled in an undergraduate program at an approved public university or community college in Florida.They must also enroll in at least six credits per semester and meet any other eligibility mandates set forth by their institution. If students continue to meet the terms, they can renew this award for up to four years.

4. OCA-UPS Gold Mountain Scholarship

• Deadline: April
• Award Amount: $2,000

Provided to support first-generation Asian American or Pacific Islander students, this program provides 15 scholarships per year. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school and identify as AAPI. They are not required to have U.S. citizenship.To apply for the award, students must submit a short bio, academic transcript, two essay responses, one short answer response, and two references.

5. Kim and Harold Louie Family Foundation Scholarship

• Deadline: March
• Award Amount: Varies

Students hoping to qualify for this scholarship must be children of U.S. citizens or members of the U.S. military. They must also be starting their first year of college and have a minimum 3.7 GPA.As part of the application requirements, students must provide two reference letters, a personal statement, and an online application. They must also participate in an interview.

6. Boyd J. Cameron Memorial Scholarship

• Deadline: February
• Award Amount: $1,000

First-generation undergraduates who are business majors are welcome to apply for this scholarship. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or above in order to qualify for this award.

To apply, students must write a short essay about why they are interested in business and how they will use their education to pay it forward and give back to their community.

The application must be completed through the scholarship website Bold.org, which prompts students to answer some questions and create an account.

7. AHS Scholarship

• Deadline: December
• Award Amount: $500

This scholarship from the Humble Seed Foundation is for students with volunteer experience who are looking to pay this scholarship forward by making a difference in their communities.

To qualify, applicants must be first-generation students enrolled in a high school or college in Missisippi, Texas, or Washington. In order to apply for this scholarship, students must either submit an essay or a video that answers one of the three prompts listed in the application.

8. Odyssey Scholarships

• Deadline: Varies
• Award Amount: Varies

Provided by The University of Chicago to its students, these awards support first-in-their-family college attendees, as well as students from families with low incomes. Awarded based on financial need, funding provides support for general tuition and fees. Students can also use funds to cover study abroad opportunities and health insurance costs. As part of the award, recipients participate in a financial literacy seminar. They can also participate in a paid Metcalf internship or research project.

9. Editor World's First-Generation Graduate Student Scholarship

• Deadline: May
• Award Amount: $1,000

Provided by Editor World LLC, this sweepstakes scholarship is for students who are currently enrolled in or are about to enroll in a graduate program. In order to qualify, students must be first-generation students who are U.S. citizens.

To apply, students must complete the application form and submit a 600-word essay. The winner will be selected through a random draw and notified if they are selected.

10. NSCS First Generation Scholarship

• Deadline: December
• Award Amount: $2,500

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars awards four first-generation scholarships to students who are members of its society. In order to qualify, students must attend a Hispanic-serving institution or a historically Black college or university. Qualifying students must also have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

In addition to receiving the scholarship award, students will be placed in the NCSC Peer Mentoring Program, through which they will receive one-on-one support from previous recipients of this award.

11. José Ventura and Margarita Melendez Mexican-American Scholarship Fund

• Deadline: December
• Award Amount: $1,775

Provided by a family in loving memory of their parents, this award is available to two winners. First-generation Mexican and Mexican-American high school students who are seeking to obtain an undergraduate degree are welcome to apply for this award.

In order to qualify, students must be able to demonstrate their work or significant volunteer experience. The application consists of an essay where students are asked to share why they are passionate about being a first-generation Mexican-American student.

12. American Dream Scholarship

• Deadline: April
• Award Amount: $1,000

Designed for undocumented students by an undocumented college alumni, the American Dream Scholarship seeks to support undocumented students pursuing a career or college degree.

In order to qualify for this award, students must be undocumented U.S. residents with community service or volunteer experience. Students must submit an essay that describes their definition of the American dream in order to apply.