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First Generation College, First Generation Immigrant Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
James Hong
$4,000
2 winners, $2,000 each
Open
Apply Now
Application Deadline
Jul 6, 2026
Winners Announced
Aug 7, 2026
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
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Eligibility Requirements
Financial Status:
Low-income
Education Level:
High school senior or undergraduate student
Background:
First-generation college student and immigrant
Financial Status:
Education Level:
Background:
Low-income
High school senior or undergraduate student
First-generation college student and immigrant

Every student has a unique journey through higher education and some come with more roadblocks than others.

Students who are the first in their families to attend college, especially those from the immigrant community, often must overcome unique obstacles. Encountering an unfamiliar environment, a new country, financial responsibilities, and demanding school work can be challenging for anyone, but especially for students whose parents did not attend college themselves.

This scholarship aims to support first-generation immigrants who are paving a new path in their families through their pursuit of higher education.

Any low-income high school senior or undergraduate student who is a first-generation immigrant and a first-generation college student may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

To apply, tell us how your personal experiences have informed your sense of purpose.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
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Published April 7, 2026
$4,000
2 winners, $2,000 each
Open
Apply Now
Application Deadline
Jul 6, 2026
Winners Announced
Aug 7, 2026
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
Share
Essay Topic

How have your personal experiences informed your sense of purpose?

200–250 words
Apply Now

Winners and Finalists

August 2025

Winners
Waiyan Oo
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
Shadell Williams
Glendale, AZ
Finalists
Sun Mun
Maryland Institute College of Art
Baltimore, MD
Patrick Kamdem Kamdem
Suitland High
District Heights, MD
Eunice Myhovych
Stevens Institute of Technology
East Brunswick, NJ
Elaine Liu
Syosset Senior High School
Syosset, NY
Valeria Zabala Vicuña
University of Houston
Katy, TX
Mary Loise Calamayan
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Erick Sanchez Hernandez
California State University-Los Angeles
Fontana, CA

Winning Application

Waiyan Oo
College of San MateoSan Mateo, CA
In 2021, Myanmar’s military staged an unlawful coup. I was imprisoned twice at seventeen for protesting the regime. To pay my ransom, my family gave up their life savings and sent me to the U.S. for a second chance at life. I arrived with a suitcase half full of cash and half full of promises. Quickly, I found myself juggling low-wage jobs, out-of-state tuition, and the burden of supporting both myself and my sister. During one of the hardest periods, I dropped out to work full time—until I saw a junta official proudly announce their acceptance to Harvard. The same regime that buried my generation in prison cells was now claiming to “rebuild” our nation through elite education—reserved only for their loyalists. I knew then: education must become my weapon. I returned to college, majoring in data science, adding economics and political science to better serve my people. I joined the Free Burma Action Committee and led fundraisers that raised $10,000 every other month. Then, I founded a student-led organization that hosted a Revolution Concert, raising $110,000 for Myanmar’s internally displaced people. Last semester, I ran out of savings and worked 60 hours a week. My grades suffered, but I never gave up. The First Generation College Scholarship would lift that burden. Every hour it frees me from survival will be poured back into service—so I can study, lead, and help rebuild a country left behind by the world.
Shadell Williams
Glendale, AZ

Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students

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FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Jul 6, 2026. Winners will be announced on Aug 7, 2026.

How will scholarship application information be used?

Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.

What is the scholarship award?

Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.

When will the scholarship winner be chosen? How will they be notified?

The winner will be publicly announced on Aug 7, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.

How will the scholarship award be paid?

Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.

How will my scholarship application be verified?

Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.

How should I get in touch with questions?

If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

Does the scholarship have terms and conditions?

Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.

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