Are you the first Braniac child in your family to pursue for a higher education? Well! That’s a wonderful prospect for you and and your upcoming generations. However, this act will never put down the hardships and toil your parents had done for their education and also to bring you up.
Being the black sheep isn’t easy,therefore it is important to know the challenges one might face in the process of attaining scholarships as a first generation student.
This blog post is definitely going to guide you in knowing about the types of such scholarships and introduction to some famous college scholarships for first gen students around the world.
- What is the meaning of Scholarships first generation students
- Challeneges on the way to such students
- Most known college scholarships offered around the world
Here are the details.
What does it mean by Scholarships for the first generation students?
The term “first-gen students” means those whose parents did not complete four years of college. Other institutions might sound a little different but the general idea is always the same. Keep in mind that this is just the start of another academic phase for you, without belittling your parent’s or family achievements.
Challeneges faced on the way to such students
The cost of higher education in the country has skyrocketed lately and as such, students are having a hard time paying for their tuition, fees, and living costs. First-generation college student populations might statistically represent one big hurdle to climb over when it comes to financial burdens of this nature.
Life savers though they may seem at first sight, scholarships can provide students with much needed financial help and reduce debts from student loans.
Besides monetary support, scholarships offer invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Scholarships are often offered along with academic assistance services, networking possibilities among others and mentorship programs. Let’s checkout the most known scholarships available for first-gen students around the world.
Most known college scholarships offered around the world
Financial Aid Completion Scholarships:
Get Schooled is giving away five $5,000 scholarships for Financial Aid Completion to students who submit their Federal or State aid applications! This is a great chance to get money for your schooling. The scholarships expire August 15, 2024. A student has to make plans to begin at a recognized post-secondary institution for the academic year 2024–2025.
The Gates Scholarships
TGS provides $10,000 in assistance each year to help exceptional student leaders maximize their potential. The Scholar’s school or college processes the Free Application for Federal Student Help (FAFSA) and covers the balance of the overall cost of attendance* that is not met by other financial aid.
Apart from the foregoing expenses, other ones might include books, travel, lodging and board, tuition fees among others. Applications have a September 15, 2024 deadline.
Coca Cola Scholarship Program
This scholar program is aimed at identifying students in their senior high school year. Scholars are those who are commended for their commitment to changing the lives of other people in their schools and societies as well as leading and serving them.
This first generation scholarship provides grant of $20,000 and deadline for application is October 30, 2024.
Big Future Scholarships (starting your career)
Monthly grants for $500 and $40,000 go to scholars until February of your senior year. Completing any stage marks you in the draws on the first day of the month. Every day of the month starts with drawings.
If students whose families make less than $60,000 a year complete the FAFSA, their chances will rise; in such instance, they will gain an additional entry in monthly draws and have double the chances for a scholarship. Students that fit the income requirements occupy half of all the rewards.
The scholarship’s deadline is Feburary 28, 2025.
Sprout Social UNCF Scholarship Program
The Sprout Social UNCF Scholarship will award $10,750 one-time merit-based scholarships to African American rising college seniors who exhibit outstanding leadership qualities and have a career interest in computer science or software engineering.
The academic year 2024–2025 will see award issuing. Applying early will help applicants to be contacted by the Grantor for job possibilities. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2024.
Dreamers scholarship Program
The charity, Daisy DACA Foundation, is committed to fighting for the rights and future of undocumented children in America. This scholarship is forthe international students and are diligent to achieve their goals.
Applicants must be a non-citizen undergraduate with a 3.0 GPA minimum. Grant amount given is $5,000; application date is Sepetember 15, 2024
The UNCF Black Women in STEM Scholarship Program
Scholarships for African American female college juniors looking for a degree in a field leading to a career in financial services or STEM will be awarded through the UNCF Black Women in STEM Scholarship Program.
The beneficiaries of this $5,000 need-based scholarship may be eligible for a renewal in their final year, provided they are still in school in 2024–2025. Deadline for this scholarship ends in August 2024.
Thurgood Marshal College Scholarships
Financial aid is available to students of 54 publicly-funded medical schools and law schools that belong to Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
The Eastern Area Links in conjunction with the TMCF are willing to give financial assistance to qualified scholars who are attending any of its fifty-four member institutions. Eighty-one winners selected will each get $1,500 for the 2024-2025 academic year, which they can only spend on approved expenses such as regular tuition fees.
Advice for Preparing a Strong Scholarship Application
Start looking for scholarships early in advance of the deadline to provide yourself enough time to finish applications.
Examine each scholarship’s qualifying restrictions and application guidelines carefully.
Your essays are a chance for you to share your own narrative and show how passionate you are about the subject of your choice of study.
When preparing your applications, don’t be afraid to seek assistance from writing centers, teachers, and mentors.
Participating in extracurricular activities and keeping up strong marks might improve your eligibility for scholarships.
Conclusion
Being a first-generation college student might come with special hurdles, but you can overcome setbacks and accomplish your objectives if you have the correct support system, endurance, and commitment. You are investing in your future and providing a solid example for your family by making use of the scholarships and other resources at your disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend a university if they are part of the first generation?
Firstly, a simple definition of a first-generation college student is someone whose parents never went past four years of education. So it implies that you are the first member of your immediate family going to college. It is essential to ascertain the exact term used by the scholarship funder since there might be slight variance.
What common obstacles do first-generation college students overcome in order to qualify for scholarships?
Basically, during scholarship application processes, first-generation students encounter some specific challenges. These include not being aware of available opportunities, finding difficulty in the application process and having limited finances for applica tion fees and exam preparations. Additionally lack of guidance from parents or guardians could be major barrier during college application process.
How can I be more likely to get a scholarship as an applicant who would be the first person in my family to go to school?
To increase your chances of getting a scholarship meant for 1st generation students, focus on building up strong academic records, engage yourself in extracurricular activities and come up with well-written essays explaining why you need a particular financial aid and future objectives. Furthermore meet deadlines, search fully for funding options and seek advice from mentors or counselors from colleges.
Are there any particular disciplines where scholarships are more accessible for first-generation students?
There are scholarships available in many areas but quite often there are more which have been specifically created to help first generation scholars with their studies on STEM (Science, Technology Engineering & Mathematics), health care programs or teaching careers only. But also you should take into account alternatives that exist within your field of study.
How do First Generation College Students find Scholarships? What resources exist?
To begin with, such websites may provide invaluable assistance while searching for grants by children whose neither parent has acquired degree. A very good starting point includes; high school guidance counselors, online scholarship databases and college offices for financial aids. On an extra note think about joining clubs run by students or other programs that offer assistance as well as scholarships.