--- title: 9 First Generation Scholarships to Help You Pay for College · PrepScholar description: Are you a first generation student looking for help paying for college? Check out our list of first generation scholarships to help you fund your education. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [8 First Generation Scholarships to Help You Pay for College](https://blog.prepscholar.com/first-generation-scholarships) ![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/hayley.jpg) Posted by [Hayley Milliman](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hayley-milliman) | Updated on March 14, 2025 [Financial Aid](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/financial-aid)   ![nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash.jpg?width=507&name=nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash.jpg) 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 student, 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 the first in their family to attend a four-year college or university.** Some first generation scholarships are funded by private sources while others are publicly funded. 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: **#1**: Neither parent has obtained a Bachelor's or more advanced degree. **#2**: Neither parent has obtained an Associate's or more advanced degree. **#3**: Neither parent nor a sibling has ever enrolled in or attended college.   ![mimi-thian-737711-unsplash](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/mimi-thian-737711-unsplash.jpg?width=510&name=mimi-thian-737711-unsplash.jpg)   ## 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: Up to $5,000 [The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students](https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/) who 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: March or April Amount: Varies Preference for [this scholarship](https://iastate.academicworks.com/opportunities/24815) 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). Recipients of this scholarship must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and also be enrolled in the Ivy College of Business. This scholarship is also renewable for up to three years.   ### APIA Scholarship Program  Application Deadline: January  Amount: $2,500-$20,000 The [APIA Scholarship Program](https://apiascholars.org/scholarship/apia-scholarship/) is for students with a heritage in countries, territories, or lands in Asia or the Pacific Islands. The scholarship program is also focused on supporting students who live at or below the poverty line and/or who are first generation college students. Strong applicants will show evidence of community service and leadership.   ![nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash.jpg?width=513&name=nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash.jpg)   ### First Generation Matching Grant Program Application Deadline: Varies Amount: Varies [This scholarship](https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/factsheets/FGMG.pdf)is for Florida residents who plan on attending college in Florida and whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. The college an applicant chooses to attend will determine their eligibility and will also be responsible for awarding and distributing the scholarship.   ### Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program Application Deadline: March 14 Amount: $5,000 [The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is open to underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college-bound students](https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/first-in-family-scholarships/fontana-transport-inc-scholars-program/). Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree full-time in transportation, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, PreMed, psychology, or Spanish language/literature. The applicant does not have to be a US citizen but must have a minimum 3.5 GPA.   ### St. John Fisher College's Fannie and Sam Constantino First Generation Scholarship Application Deadline: December 15 preferred; January 15 final deadline Amount: Half the cost of tuition and room and board [The Fannie and Sam Constantino scholarship](https://www.sjfc.edu/admissions-aid/freshman-admissions/scholarships/first-generation-scholarship/) gives first generation students who attend St. John Fisher College a significant reduction in college costs: it pays for fully one-half of tuition, room, and board. Students must have a high school GPA average of B or higher and have parents that didn't graduate from college.   ### University of Chicago Odyssey Scholarships Application Deadline: Varies Amount: Enough to cover any student loans student would take out.  [The Odyssey Scholarship](https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/odyssey-scholarships) program provides enhanced academic, social, and career support to University of Chicago students from lower-income families or who are the first in their families to attend college. The scholarship offers enough grant money that they won't need to take out any student loans as part of their financial aid package (the exact amount of the grants will vary from student to student). 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: March 15 Amount: $4,000 a year for Colorado residents, $8,000 a year for non-residents [The First Generation Grant is awarded to students](https://www.colorado.edu/financialaid/types-aid/undergraduate-grants/first-generation-grant) whose 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. Both Colorado and non-Colorado residents are eligible.    ## 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.** Use [our college acceptance calculator](https://blog.prepscholar.com/college-acceptance-calculator) to 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 on [how to get a perfect 36 on the ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer) and [how to get a perfect 1600 on the SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer).   [![Want to build the best possible college application?   We can help.   PrepScholar Admissions Consulting combines world-class admissions consultants with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. 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When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? 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The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hayley Milliman", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/hayley-milliman" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-14T02:51:16+00:00", "datePublished" : "2022-12-25T17:00:00+00:00", "description" : "Are you a first generation student looking for help paying for college? Check out our list of first generation scholarships to help you fund your education.", "headline" : "8 First Generation Scholarships to Help You Pay for College", "image" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/nicole-honeywill-703542-unsplash.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/first-generation-scholarships", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```