Last updated on August 25, 2025
[Page 5] 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:
Joseph J. Canfora Hospitality Scholarship
Funded byJoseph CanforaAmount
$5,000Deadline
Apr 14, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support underrepresented minority students who are interested in pursuing careers in the hospitality industry.- Education Level: Undergraduate student
- Background: First-generation student
- Identity: Underrepresented minority (BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+)
- Field of Interest: Hospitality
- Experience: Has hospitality internship or entry-level job
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners121Cruz Events Community Impact Scholarship
Funded byCruz EventsAmount
$500Deadline
Apr 16, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support first-generation students from Texas who will be pursuing trade school or a traditional college path.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
- Background: First-generation student
- State: Texas
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner122Nina L. Coleman Memorial Scholarship
Funded byCraig ColemanAmount
$2,000Deadline
May 05, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support low-income students who need financial assistance in order to fund their college education.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
- Background: FGLI (first-generation, low-income)
- Race: BIPOC
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner123Abby's First-Generation College Student Scholarship
Funded byAbby FingerAmount
$500Deadline
Jun 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support a graduating high school senior who will be the first in their family to attend a four-year university.- Education Level: Must be a high school senior
- GPA: Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Future: Must be planning to attend a four-year university as a first-generation student
- Activities: Must be involved in sports or extracurriculars
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner124Destinie’s Dollars for Degrees Scholarship
Funded byDestinie HarrisAmount
$500Deadline
Jun 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support underrepresented students so they can overcome barriers and complete their education.- Education Level: Undergraduate student (two or four-year degree)
- Background: First-generation college student
- Race: BIPOC
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner125Enrique Castillo Educational Scholarship
Funded byEnrique Castillo Scholarship FundAmount
$2,000Deadline
Jun 04, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship is for first generation BIPOC students majoring in education, history, or English.- Education Level: High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate
- Race/Ethnicity: BIPOC
- Background: First-generation college student
- Major: Education, History, or English
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners126Hasanovic American Dream Scholarship
Funded byFuad HasanovicAmount
$500Deadline
Jul 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support immigrant students that have a passion for learning and want to create a better life for themselves, their future families, and contribute positively to our society.- Year of HS (if applicable): Senior
- Immigration Status: First or second-generation immigrant
Scholarship is awarded to
0 winners127Taking Up Space Scholarship
Funded byArianna ThompsonAmount
$500Deadline
Jul 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to empower and encourage women who are pursuing careers in male-dominated fields and paving the way for the next generation of women.- Gender: Female
- Identity: Underrepresented student (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, etc.)
- Field of Study: Pursuing a male-dominated field (STEM, trades, software development, etc.)
- Background: First-generation college student
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner128Nicanor Rufo Rare Scholarship
Funded byRosielyn RufoAmount
$500Deadline
Jul 15, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor Nicanor Rufo’s life by raising awareness of rare diseases and supporting those who have been affected by them.- Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
- Background: First-generation college student
- State: California
- Health: Has a rare disease or a loved one with a rare disease
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner129Diversity in Law Scholarship
Funded byMichelle Bodden-WhiteAmount
$1,000Deadline
Aug 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support first-generation law students who are passionate about using their careers to help others.- Age: 25 years old or older
- Education Level: Graduate law degree
- Background: First-generation student
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner130Stand and Yell Community Impact Scholarship
Funded byJames McDowellAmount
$500Deadline
Oct 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will honor the book “Stand and Yell” by supporting students who are seeking higher education.- Background: First-generation student
- Experience: Non-profit or volunteering experience
- Identity: Female, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ+
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner131No You Did Not Win An Emi, But You Did Win This Scholarship
Funded byNoemi WinnAmount
$500Deadline
Oct 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor individuality by supporting students from diverse backgrounds on their path to higher education.- Background: First-generation student
- Race: BIPOC
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner132Sikora Drake STEM Scholarship
Funded bySikora DrakeAmount
$3,000Deadline
Nov 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support minority students so they can pursue higher education in STEM.- Field of Study: STEM
- Identity: Female identifying, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or first-generation
Scholarship is awarded to
3 winners133Francis “Slip” Madigan Scholarship
Funded byErin HemeonAmount
$1,000Deadline
Dec 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Francis Madigan by supporting first-generation students so they can create generational change in their families.- Background: First-generation
- Education Level: High school junior or senior
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner134Jose "Sixto" Cubias Scholarship
Funded bySantosAmount
$1,000Deadline
Dec 01, 2022Education Level
AnyThis scholarship will support Central American immigrants or first generation students as they pursue higher education.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate
- Race/Ethnicity: Central American descent
- Background: Immigrant or first generation citizen
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners135Charlie Akers Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAyesha WallaceAmount
$500Deadline
Jan 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor the memory of Charlie Akers by supporting first-generation college students.- Background: First-generation
- Community Involvement: Volunteering experience
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner136Do Good Scholarship
Funded byJasmin SuayanAmount
$500Deadline
Jan 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support underrepresented minorities who are pursuing higher education.- Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
- Background: Underrepresented minority and/or first-generation student
- Experience: Volunteering
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner137Gamba Creative Arts Scholarship
Funded byMiguel OceguedaAmount
$5,000Deadline
Jan 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support disadvantaged students in New Jersey who are pursuing art-related degrees.- Background: First-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented minority
- Field of Study: Pursuing creative arts, music, writing, audio engineering, or arts-related degree
- State: New Jersey
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners138Joe Cruz Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Funded byCruz familyAmount
$500Deadline
Jan 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to honor the life of Joe Cruz Jr. by supporting first-generation students as they pursue higher education.- Education Level: High school senior
- Background: First-generation
- State: Texas
- Race: BIPOC
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner139Hurtado Scholarship
Funded byPablo HurtadoAmount
$5,000Deadline
Jan 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students in New York who are pursuing their GEDs so they can go on to achieve all of their goals.- Education Level: GED
- State: New York
Scholarship is awarded to
5 winners140Gloria J. Willis Memorial Scholarship
Funded byDarnesha Mc CombAmount
$750Deadline
Jan 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support aspiring medical students who have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on mental health.- Race: BIPOC
- Education Level: Undergraduate or graduate student
- Background: First-generation
- Field of Study: Pre-med, medical school, nursing, or psychology
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner141EmPowered Women Scholarship
Funded byProject After SixAmount
$750Deadline
Feb 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to bridge the financial literacy gap by supporting female students who are pursuing accounting or finance.- Race: BIPOC
- Gender: Female
- Background: First-generation
- Experience: Non-profit or volunteering experience
- Field of Study: Accounting or finance
- Education Level: High school senior (2023), undergraduate
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner142Uplifting Latino Leaders Scholarship
Funded byEmiliano JuarezAmount
$500Deadline
Mar 05, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support Latino high schoolers so they can smoothly transition to college and unlock a world of opportunities.- GPA: 3.0 or higher
- Education Level: High school junior or senior
- State: New York
- Race/Ethnicity: Latino/Latinx
- Background: First generation & Low Income
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner143Esteemed Project Scholarship
Funded byThe Esteemed ProjectAmount
$500Deadline
Apr 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support minority students who are interested in breaking generational barriers by being the first in their families to attend college.- Education Level: Two or four-year undergraduate student
- Race: BIPOC
- Background: First-generation student
- Experience: Non-profit or volunteering experience
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner144Yan Scholarship
Funded byCaiming LiAmount
$1,000Deadline
Apr 01, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support female immigrants who are pursuing higher education in the United States.- Education Level: High school or undergraduate student
- Gender: Female
- Background: Immigrant
- Status: First-generation
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner145GD Sandeford Memorial Scholarship
Funded bySandeford FamilyAmount
$3,000Deadline
Apr 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to make college more accessible by helping underserved African American students afford to pursue their dreams of higher education.- Education Level: Pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree
- Race: African American
- Background: First-generation college student
- Involvement: Volunteering experience
- GPA minimum: 2.75
Scholarship is awarded to
3 winners146Stephen R. Boardman Memorial Scholarship
Funded byAnonymous DonorAmount
$2,500Deadline
Apr 17, 2023Education Level
AnyThe goal of this scholarship is to support first generation undergraduate students, in Ohio or Indian, to attend a four year college or university.- Education Level: Undergraduate
- Background: First generation college student
- Religion: Any
- State: Ohio or Indiana
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner147Net Impact Berkeley Social Impact Scholarship
Funded byNet Impact BerkeleyAmount
$3,000Deadline
May 14, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to support students who are passionate about making positive changes in the world.- Education Level: High school senior
- Background: Underrepresented minority or first generation college student
Scholarship is awarded to
2 winners148Si Se Puede Scholarship Award
Funded byPerla AcevedoAmount
$500Deadline
May 15, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship seeks to support first-generation students as they prepare to transition from high school to college.- Education Level: High school junior or senior
- Background: First-generation
- State: New Mexico or Texas
- Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic or Latino
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner149Gloria Stokes Memorial Scholarship
Funded byJada DumasAmount
$500Deadline
May 25, 2023Education Level
AnyThis scholarship aims to honor Gloria Stokes and her legacy by supporting low-income college students so their finances don’t hold them back from their dreams.- Education Level: High school senior or undergraduate student
- Financial Background: Low-income
- Race: African American
- State: Low-income
Scholarship is awarded to
1 winner150
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.