First-Gen Futures Scholarship
Being the first in your family to attend college is an inspiring feat, often coming with its own unique challenges. First-generation students may not have the same guidance in navigating parts of the higher education system as other students, such as the application process, obtaining financial aid, and even what to expect in college itself.
Financial constraints can also be a significant roadblock for such students, which may limit their choices, force them to balance jobs, family responsibilities, and school work all at once, and make the college experience much more stressful.
Despite these struggles, first-generation college students have proven time and again to be extremely resilient, determined, and hard-working. They embody a spirit of ambition and perseverance as they work toward creating the future they want for themselves and their families.
This scholarship aims to recognize and support exceptional students who are overcoming the barriers of being the first in their families to attend college.
Any first-generation high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident may apply for this scholarship.
To apply, tell us why you’ve decided to pursue higher education and how you have prepared for this journey as a first-generation college student.
Why have you chosen to pursue higher education? How have you prepared yourself for college as a first-generation student?
Winners and Finalists
December 2023
Winning Application
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FAQ
The application deadline is Jun 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Jul 1, 2025.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Jul 1, 2025. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.