Will you be the first person in your immediate family to attend college? If so, you are a first-generation college student! There are numerous colleges and private organizations that offer first generation scholarships for students who will be the first in their family to attend college!

Generally, first generation scholarships are open to students whose parents have not earned a four year undergraduate degree. However, specific organizations and colleges may define first generation differently, so always double-check.

Jump ahead to:

• Top First Generation Scholarships in 2021
• Need-Based Financial Aid for first generation students
• Frequently Asked Questions for first generation students
• Summary of First Generation Scholarships in 2021
• Expired First Generation Scholarships

Keep on reading to learn more about eligibility, award amount, and tips for how to find and win first generation scholarships!

Top First Generation Scholarships in 2021

$1,000 First-Generation, First Child Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to first-generation, firstborn students at all levels of education in any field of study to achieve their academic ambitions
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: April 4, 2021

First Generation Matching Grant Program

• Eligibility: Open to high school seniors in Florida who have demonstrated financial need. Students must be planning on attending a Florida state college or university (4 year or 2 year)
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies depending on the college

Newman’s Own Scholarships

• Eligibility: First generation high school students who are applying to Kenyon College
• Amount: Varies (this scholarship eliminates the loan portion of a student’s financial aid package and replaces it with a grant)
• Deadline: Varies (depending on whether the student applies Regular Decision, Early Decision 1, or Early Decision 2).

Nikhil Desai Asian-American Experience Scholarship

• Eligibility: All Asian-American (including Middle Eastern) students who are juniors in high school or older are eligible to apply. First-generation applicants will be preferred. An essay about growing up Asian-American is required
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: March 1, 2021

Nikhil Desai “Perspective” Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to students at all levels of education who submit an essay about a moment that changed their perspective on life. Preference given to first generation students
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: February 1, 2021

Odyssey Scholarships

• Eligibility: First generation high school students who are applying to the University of Chicago.
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies (depending on whether the student applies Regular Decision, Early Action, Early Decision 1, or Early Decision 2).

Regents’ Scholars Program

• Eligibility: High school seniors with demonstrated financial need who apply to Texas A&M.
• Amount: $6,000 per year for up to four years
• Deadline: January 1st (this is the date that students submit the FAFSA in order to be eligible)

Need-Based Financial Aid for first generation students

First generation college students can also apply for need-based financial aid. Need-based aid can include grants that don’t need to be repaid, as well as specific types of student loans!

If you are wondering whether you will qualify for financial aid, you can use the Net Price Calculator to get an estimate. The Net Price Calculator can be a great tool for comparing potential financial aid packages at different colleges.

To actually apply for financial aid, there are two applications you should know about: the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. Here’s a little bit more about each of these applications:

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is an application that allows students to access grants like the Pell Grant, federal student loans, state financial aid, and work-study. 

CSS Profile

The CSS Profile is an application that is managed by the College Board that some colleges use to award institutional financial aid.

To receive your official financial aid award package students will need to submit their FAFSA and if required, CSS Profile, by the appropriate deadlines. Students will also need to be accepted by the college’s admissions office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I first generation if my siblings went to college?

Some organizations may define first generation as students whose parents and siblings do not have four year degrees. Others may say that you are only first generation if your parents have not received any degree at all (including two year degrees).

However, the most common definition is students whose parents have not completed four year college degrees. If you are interested in learning more about why being a first generation college student matters, check out this post!

Am I first gen if a parent started college, but did not finish?

Yes, the key part of being first generation is that your parents did not complete college. If they took a few classes or semesters, but did not ultimately graduate, you are first generation.

Do you have any application tips for first generation colleges students applying for scholarships?

Yes, we do! Here is our Ultimate Guide for Finding & Winning Scholarships. This guide will help you also discover and apply for other great scholarships.

Summary of First Generation Scholarships

1. $1,000 First-Generation, First Child Scholarship
2. First Generation Matching Grant Program
3. Newman’s Own Scholarships
4. Nikhil Desai Asian-American Experience Scholarship
5. Nikhil Desai “Perspective” Scholarship
6. Odyssey Scholarships
7. Regents’ Scholars Program

Expired First Gen Scholarships

First Generation College Student Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to high school and undergraduate students who are/will be first generation college students
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: November 6

Life Reimagined First-Gen Scholarship

• Eligibility: First generation college students currently attending a four year college, two year college, or technical or vocational program.
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: December 31

Questbridge National College Match Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who have demonstrated financial need (while Questbridge is not exclusive to first generation students, 70% of finalists are first generation students)
• Amount: Full funding (including tuition, room, and board) for four years
• Deadline: September 26th

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships

• Incoming/full-time college students at one of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) 47 publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• Amount: $500 to $15,000 
• Deadline: October 12