Empowering First-Generation Students: Scholarships for Educational Success

ow many times have you heard the story of how one person is the first in their family to go to college? You hear it on the television, the movies and so forth. However, let’s step outside that medium for a moment and talk about what it might be like if you are the first person from your family to ever go to college. Do you get any “props” for that? Will you be given any type of assistance in the form of scholarships or financial aid? All of these are very good questions in which we will answer. But first, lets define “first generation” for our students who may be a little confused at the idea.

For the purposes of this page, here is how we will be defining first generation: If you are the first from your family to be accepted into college then you can be considered first generation. These types of individuals usually come from disadvantaged areas and have no idea on how they are going to afford the steep price of college. Luckily, we are going to be covering that today.

Scholarships For First-Generation College Students

You are in a unique situation. You are the first in your family to go to college. You have worked hard to get where you are at and now you just need to raise the necessary funds to afford your tuition. You will likely have to do so through financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Luckily, there are multiple programs and scholarship funds that help people in your exact situation. Not to mention, all the scholarships found throughout our database are fair game. However, on this page we are just going to be focusing on first generation scholarships.

  • Coca-Cola– One of the biggest soft drink companies in the world is giving back by helping students who are considered to be the first in their families to go to college. Over the past sixteen years, Coca-Cola has awarded to deserving students close to $14 million in scholarship awards.
  • Texas Scholarships– It is pretty cool. This site will give you information on how to get a scholarship in Texas if you are considered a first-generation student. The award is worth up to $10,000, divided up throughout your four years of college.
  • College Parents Of America– There are a number of requirements for this one. Obviously, you have to be first in your family to attend college, you have to be a full time students, and you have to have graduated in the top 50% of your graduating class.