Finding Scholarships Identity-Based Scholarship Series: Scholarships for First Generation Students Written by Robyn Stewarton September 16th, 2021 Prior to joining College Coach, I was a financial aid officer at the College of the Holy Cross and an education advisor at two TRIO program locations. I work with the Massachusetts Education Finance Authority (MEFA) to present paying for college workshops to hundreds of families across the state. I'm a graduate of UMass Amherst and have a master in counseling from Northeastern University. Learn More About Robyn identity-based scholarships, scholarship search, scholarships, Scholarships are a way to close the gap between the cost of attendance at a college and a family’s own resources. Among the many scholarships that students can apply for are those that are established to support students based upon the ways they define themselves. There is no comprehensive list of identity-based scholarships; professional associations, companies, non-profit entities, religious organizations, political groups, and colleges and universities are among the many sponsors of scholarships that may be awarded in part based upon a student’s race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or presence of a disability. Bright Horizons College Coach wants to help ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to the resources they need to achieve their educational goals and has therefore launched this monthly scholarship series to help students pinpoint funding opportunities based upon their unique identities. Check out the below resources, along with the other posts in the series, and you may discover funding sources that will make covering that college bill a little (or a lot!) easier. This month, we look at scholarship resources for first generation students. The definition of a first generation college student means that neither of the student’s parents earned a college degree at the baccalaureate level or higher. Note that the below list is not exhaustive, but is intended to provide a starting place for first generation students to launch their scholarship searches. Your high school’s counseling office, general scholarship search sites like www.scholarships.com, and college websites can also provide useful scholarship information. The First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG) offered through the state of Florida awards grants based on a student’s demonstrated financial need. Students must be Florida residents and attend an in-state public college or university. It is necessary to complete the FAFSA to be considered for this program.Aspiring doctors or other medical field professionals may be interested in applying for the Cynthia E Morgan Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is for Maryland residents who plan on attending a Maryland post-secondary institution or medical training school.The Red Thread Foundation for Women awards a $1,000 scholarship to female students who are first generation college students. Non U.S. Citizens are invited to apply. Scholarship winner can take part in mentorship opportunities that focus on career guidance and building future networks.First generation students who are admitted to Texas A&M University and have qualifying family incomes may be eligible for the Regents Scholars Program. Scholarship amounts are $6,000 per year and awarded on a first come, first served basis. Students must complete the FAFSA each year.The First in Family Scholarship, sponsored by the Farash Foundation, provides financial support to students in New York State’s Monroe and Ontario counties. Students are required to participate in community service projects while pursuing their undergraduate degrees. Remember, students are expected to report outside scholarships they receive to their college, and receipt of scholarships may impact other parts of a student’s financial aid award. It is best practice to reach out to the Financial Aid Office at your college for clarification of awarding policies. Best of luck, and please see the awarding organization’s website for full scholarship details and program opportunities. Related Resources Read | Posted on September 20th, 2023 Full-Ride Scholarships: Effective Strategy or Fairy Tale? Read | Posted on August 4th, 2023 Identity-Based Scholarship Series: Scholarships for Hispanic Students Read | Posted on February 16th, 2023 Identity-Based Scholarship Series: Gold Star Children and Families
