EXCITING NEWS! The 2026 versions of the How to Win College Scholarships ebooks are now available!
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First-generation scholarships can make a huge difference for students who are the first in their families to earn a college degree.
Find TONS of awards here!
First-generation scholarships, sometimes called “first-gen” or “first in family” scholarships, are those awards offered to students whose parents have not attended college or have not completed a bachelor’s degree.
In other words, the student applying for first-generation scholarships will be the first in their family to go to college and earn a four-year degree.
All students in the same family whose parents have not earned a four-year degree can usually be considered eligible to apply for first-generation scholarships and not just the first student to attend college, but check the guidelines of each award carefully. (I cannot stress that enough!)
Students with parents who have earned AA degrees are also usually considered first-generation college students.
Are you a first-gen student or the parent of one?
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Here are some fantastic scholarships and resources for first-generation students:
GEOFFREY M. CURTIS SCHOLARSHIP
FIRST GENERATION GRADUATE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
FRIMER FIRST GENERATION SCHOLARSHIP
BIGGEST SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FIRST IN FAMILY STUDENTS
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FIRST TO COLLEGE STUDENTS
Open to High School Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors! APPLY NOW HERE
9 FIRST-GENERATION SCHOLARSHIPS TO HELP YOU PAY FOR COLLEGE
FIRST GENERATION GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
4 ORGANIZATIONS FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS CAN USE TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS
College Scholarship Tip: When writing essays for first-generation scholarships, students should share personal stories about what a college degree would mean to them and how their parents’ lack of a degree has made a difference in their lives.
[Be sure to read How to Write an Amazing Scholarship Essay here.]
You can learn more about the scholarship process in my ebooks, How to Win College Scholarships: Guides for Parents and Students in 10 Easy Steps, which also contain information on writing a strong essay, locating awards, impressing the judges, and creating stand-out scholarship applications. Download them now here and find out how to greatly increase the chances of winning scholarships for you or your student.
Do you have a college scholarship question? I would be happy to answer it!
Ask in the comments section below or email me at info@how2winscholarshps.com.
Are you a first-generation college student? Apply for these scholarships now! Share on X
Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own son win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has “been there, done that” in regard to helping parents and students navigate the scholarship process.
Her method of helping students in finding college scholarships, writing unique and compelling scholarship essays, creating amazing scholarship application packets, and more have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars. She teaches them how to apply S.M.A.R.T. with outstanding results.
Monica’s scholarship tips have been featured on many prominent websites, and she has been dubbed the “Go-To” expert on college scholarships.
I’m technically a first gen, but never considered myself to be in regards to these scholarships because my mom got her Associate’s right before I started high school; lesson learned! ^_^
I was too, Amber. I wish I would have known about First Gen scholarships when I was struggling to pay for college. 🙁
My three children were adopted from foster care when they were 4, 5 & 6. We have stayed in touch with both their biological parents, neither of whom have college degrees. However, I, the adoptive mom, do. Would my kids qualify as First Gen? They technically are as far as their first family goes. Thank you.
Hi, Peri. Since you have legally adopted your children, then their first-gen status is derived from your education level and not that of their biological parents.
This is ever so useful!
Thanks, Rachael!
What a great opportunity for students from families that never went to college.
Exactly! Thanks, Jennifer. 🙂
My daughter will be the first person to attend college ever on my husband’s side. I have a BS. Does being first for the Selvey family qualify her at all?
Hi, unfortunately, because you have a BS degree, your daughter does not qualify as being a first-generation student.
Are First Gen scholarships only for students attending a Four year college? Our son plans to attend a 2yr and transfer to a 4 year
It depends on the scholarship requirements, Mindi. They are all different. Check the guidelines carefully.
Reading this felt like a lifeline for first-gen students like me. Navigating college alone can feel overwhelming, but these scholarships offer more than financial help—they offer hope. I appreciate the detailed resources and heartfelt tips. Sharing our stories through essays really resonated. Thanks for making this journey feel a little less lonely and more possible!
Would my daughter be considered a first generation student? I have an associates degree. Her father did not go to college and has passed away. I remarried and her step-dad has a bachelor’s degree.
Hi, Lori. I believe your daughter would be considered a first-generation student because neither of her biological parents have a bachelor’s degree, but it always good to check with the organizations offering the awards to be 100% sure before she does the work to apply for their scholarships.