Last updated on August 25, 2025
[Page 3] Top First-Generation Scholarships to Apply for in August 2025
Updated:
August 25, 2025
Written by:
Elise
EliseExpert review by:
Dror Liebenthal
Dror LiebenthalBe the first in your family to graduate with these first-generation scholarships, hosted and awarded directly by Bold.org. Apply today with easy applications and no fees.
Bold.org scholarships featured by:
Dr. Sharyn First-Generation in Business Scholarship
Funded byDr. Sharyn WarrenAmount
$850Deadline
Feb 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support first-generation undergraduate students in the second year of their program to reduce their college costs.- Education Level: Second-year undergraduate student
- Background: First-generation student
- Field of Study: Business
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner61Mirajur Rahman Perseverance Scholarship
Funded byMirajur RahmanAmount
$1,010Deadline
Sep 30, 2021Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will be awarded to one high school junior or senior who plans to attend college and has persevered through life’s hardship toward a brighter future for themselves and the world.All students are eligibleScholarship is awarded to
1 winner62Lisa K. Carlson DCPS Scholarship
Funded byAndrew BacaAmount
$13,000Deadline
Jul 01, 2021Education Level
AnyThis scholarship is to honor Lisa K Carlson, who spent her life and career helping students and families. This scholarship will benefit graduates of DC Public Schools (including adult education and STAY programs) as they pursue postsecondary education and training opportunities. All postsecondary education and training programs, tuition, and associated costs qualify for this scholarship. All 2-year, 4-year, and professional certification courses are eligible to receive funds from the Lisa K Carlson scholarship.- Year in HS (if applicable): Senior (2021)
- Grad Status: Graduate of the Washington DC Public School System
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners63Latinas in STEM Scholarship
Funded byAngeline KitmanAmount
$4,495Deadline
Mar 31, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support first-generation Latinas who are interested in pursuing STEM careers so that they can reach all of their dreams and boost the representation of women of color.- Gender: Female
- Ethnicity: Latina
- Background: First-generation
- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
- Field of Interest: STEM
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner64Ella Hall-Dillon Scholarship
Funded byLetta BelleAmount
$3,470Deadline
Aug 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support high school seniors and undergraduate students who are of African descent and are first or second generation to the United States.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Race/Ethnicity: African heritage
- Background: First or second generation to the U.S.
Scholarship is awarded to
3 winners65Castillo Scholarship
Funded byMarisa RobertsAmount
$1,500Deadline
Aug 01, 2024Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support underrepresented students pursuing careers in STEM by helping them overcome their financial hurdles.- Education Level: High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Ethnicity: Hispanic
- Background: First-generation college student
- Field of Study: STEM
Scholarship is awarded to
3 winners66Writing With a Purpose Scholarship
Funded byCarl LamarreAmount
$1,646Deadline
Jul 01, 2021Education Level
AnyThis scholarship exists to inhect hope and encouragement into African American high school seniors and college students looking to break into the field of journalismAll students are eligibleScholarship is awarded to
2 winners67Paula C. Collie Future Educators Scholarship
Funded byWillis CollieAmount
$625Deadline
Apr 01, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of Paula C. Collie by supporting students who are pursuing degrees in education.- Field of Study: Education
- State: Virginia
- Background: First-generation student
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner68Minority Students x Stem Scholarship
Funded bySasha FlanaganAmount
$10,800Deadline
Apr 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to help underserved students find success as they pursue careers in the technology field.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
- Race: BIPOC
- Background: First-generation
- Field of Study: Engineering, computer science, or similar degrees
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner69Ryder Collections Scholarship
Funded byKarahn GreenAmount
$2,786Deadline
Dec 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will help support first generation BIPOC students attending HBCUs.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate
- Race/Ethnicity: BIPOC
- Background: First generation college student
- Type of School: Historically black college or university (HBCU)
Scholarship is awarded to
3 winners70J.E. Anderson Family College Scholarship
Funded byLesley LoganAmount
$2,151Deadline
Oct 08, 2024Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor the life of J.E. Anderson by supporting first-generation students as they set out in pursuit of their goals.- Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
- Background: First-generation college student
- Field of Study: Special education
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners71Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship
Funded byHaowen ChenAmount
$1,015Deadline
Nov 15, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support undergraduate students who need financial assistance to achieve all of their goals in life.- Education Level: Undergraduate student
- Race: BIPOC
- Status: First-generation student
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner72Dr. Christine Lawther First in the Family Scholarship
Funded byChristine LawtherAmount
$1,100Deadline
Jul 23, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students who are forging new paths for their families by obtaining college degrees.- Background: First-generation college student
- Education Level: Four-year undergraduate student
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner73Charlotte Emery Memorial Scholarship
Funded byKeia CarterAmount
$1,100Deadline
Jul 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Charlotte Emery by uplifting Black girls and women so they can succeed in life and flourish.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate pursuing a two or four-year degree
- Gender: Female
- Race: Black/African American
- Background: First-generation student
- GPA: 2.0 or higher
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners74The Heart of the Game Scholarship
Funded byWard SerrillAmount
$5,333Deadline
Aug 13, 2021Education Level
AnyThis scholarship is designed to support first-generation, female high school seniors from the class of 2021 who show passion and heart in their lives.All students are eligibleScholarship is awarded to
1 winner75HSINTELLIGENCE Minority / Indigenous Nurse Leader Scholarship
Funded byHSINTELLIGENCEAmount
$1,500Deadline
Mar 29, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to encourage the next generation of nurses who hope to address the COVID-19 pandemic through their careers.- Background: Must be a first-generation student
- Education Level: Must be a high school or undergraduate student
- Race: Must be a BIPOC student
- Field of Interest: Must be interested in nursing
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners76CML Music Scholarship
Funded bySherie McArthurAmount
$2,000Deadline
Jul 09, 2024Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students who are passionate about pursuing music and fighting to keep music in schools.- Education Level: High school student
- Identity: Underrepresented minority student
- Background: First-generation college students
- Field of Study: Music
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners77FAR Impact Scholarship
Funded byRohit PrasadAmount
$3,000Deadline
Apr 01, 2024Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support underserved students by providing financial assistance to lower the cost of college.- Education Level: Undergraduate student
- Field of Study: Public Service
- Identity: First-generation, woman, and a historically disadvantaged minority
Scholarship is awarded to
3 winners78Bill Kuhn Science Scholarship
Funded byThe Thomas and Kimberly Underhill FamilyAmount
$2,000Deadline
Feb 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor Bill Kuhn by supporting students who are pursuing careers in science.- Education Level: High school senior
- State: Michigan
- Background: First-generation student
- Field of Study: Science
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner79Palette & Purpose Scholarship
Funded byIgnite Arts and STEMAmount
$3,000Deadline
Mar 15, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support BIPOC students who are interested in pursuing the arts.- Residency: US citizen
- Race: BIPOC
- GPA: 2.4 or higher
- Field of Interest: Visual, studio, or performing arts
- Experience: Non-profit or volunteering experience
- Education Level: High school senior (2024-2025 school year)
Scholarship is awarded to
6 winners80Mendoza Scholarship
Funded byFranklin MendozaAmount
$525Deadline
Sep 15, 2024Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to empower students from Central American backgrounds to achieve their academic goals and build a foundation for a successful future.- Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
- Background: First-generation college student
- Financial Status: Financial need
- Heritage: Born in Central America or has at least one parent of Central American descent
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner81Beacon of Opportunity Scholarship
Funded byHannah PenceAmount
$1,000Deadline
Aug 23, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support underserved students who may not have the resources or guidance they need to reach their full potential.- Education Level: High school senior or high school graduate
- Background: First-generation college student
- State: Indiana resident
- GPA: 2.8 GPA or higher
- Experience: Community service experience
Scholarship is in review82Thadford Dickerson and Paula Schuman Scholar Award
Funded byTemel Dickerson and Nadja VielotAmount
$4,350Deadline
May 13, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor the lives of Thadford Dickerson and Dr. Paula Schuman by supporting students who are pursuing public service careers.- State: North Carolina
- Field of Study: Public service (healthcare, public health, first-responder, safety, etc.)
- Background: First-generation, low-income student
- Education Level: Undergraduate (2 or 4-year degree) or trade school student
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners83Najma Sultana Memorial Scholarship
Funded byMuhammad AliAmount
$1,020Deadline
Mar 25, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support high school seniors who will be pursuing a career in the medical or healthcare field.- Education Level: High school senior
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Background: First-generation college student
- Major/Career Field: Medical/healthcare
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner84LGBTQIA+ in Advancing Tech & Data Science Scholarship
Funded byAmanda BlakeAmount
$5,020Deadline
Jul 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support LGBTQIA+ students who have a passion for using technology and data science for good.- Education Level: High school student
- Identity: LGBTQIA+
- Field of Study: Data science, technology, STEM, or coding
- Background: FGLI (first-generation, low-income)
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner85HBCU STEM Scholarship
Funded byChrispin RainfordAmount
$7,650Deadline
Jun 20, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support students who have faced challenges in their life so they have the help necessary to succeed in college.- Identity: FGLI (first-generation and low-income)
- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Field of Study: STEM
- Education Level: Undergraduate
- Current College: HBCU
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner86Dr. Alan V. Lee Memorial Scholarship
Funded byLeeAmount
$2,500Deadline
Jul 20, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Dr. Alan V. Lee by supporting students who will be the medical professionals of the future.- Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
- Field of Study: Medicine
- Identity: Underrepresented minority
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Background: First-generation college or medical student
- Experience: Volunteering experience
Scholarship is awarded to
5 winners87Ronald and Betty Thomas Educational Scholarship
Funded byThe Thomas Family, Ron & BettyAmount
$2,050Deadline
Jun 30, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support high school students in Florida majoring in education.- Background: First-generation college student
- Desired Major: Education
- GPA: 3.0
- Education Level: High school
- State: Florida
Scholarship is awarded to
4 winners88Code Breakers & Changemakers Scholarship
Funded byIgnite Arts and STEMAmount
$3,000Deadline
Mar 15, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support underrepresented high school students who are passionate about pursuing careers in STEM.- Race: BIPOC
- Experience: Non-profit or volunteering experience
- Field of Interest: STEM
- GPA: 2.4 or higher
- Residency: US Citizen
- Education Level: High school senior (2024-2025 school year)
Scholarship is awarded to
6 winners89Sandy Eggo's Future Humanitarians Scholarship
Funded bySandy Eggo SEOAmount
$1,025Deadline
Aug 15, 2025Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students who are dedicating their college years and their careers to making this world a better place for all.- Education Level: High school, undergraduate, or graduate student
- Location: San Diego, California
- Identity: Underrepresented minority student
- Background: First-generation college student
- Experience: Non-profit or volunteering experience
Scholarship is in review90
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a first-gen student if my parents started college but didn't complete their degrees?
Yes! As long as your parents did not graduate or receive any college degree, including an associate's or bachelor's, you qualify as a first-generation student. Your parents may have taken college courses and obtained college credit, but that is different from formally graduating and receiving a college diploma.
Do I qualify for first-gen scholarships if my siblings attended college but my parents did not earn a bachelor's degree?
Yes, you may still be eligible for first-generation scholarship opportunities if your immediate family members—specifically your parents—have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Many colleges define first-gen scholarships based solely on your parents’ education, so it's important to carefully review the additional criteria of each scholarship application.
Can I receive federal and state grants in addition to first-gen scholarships?
Yes, you can often combine first-generation scholarship opportunities with federal and state grants to support your college journey. Being the first person in your family to pursue a degree can open doors to multiple funding sources designed to help future generations break barriers in higher education.