2025 First Gen Fellowship — Applications Now Open!
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
If you're a first-generation student navigating higher education with financial challenges in USA, this opportunity might be exactly what you need. The First Gen Fund is awarding 50 fellowships of $1,000 each—designed to help you cover educational expenses and lighten financial burdens while honoring your journey. Applications are due by August 29, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time—don’t miss your chance to apply!
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: United States (Applicants must be studying at an accredited U.S. college or university)
Sponsor: First Gen Fund (a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in Los Angeles, CA)
Study Level: Undergraduate or Graduate (full-time only)
Target Group: First-generation college students—domestic only (international applicants are not eligible)
Fields of Study: All disciplines—no restrictions
Award Value: $1,000 grant (unrestricted financial hardship relief)
Award Duration: One-time grant
Application Deadline: August 29, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Start Date: Funds disbursed upon selection; recipients announced on November 8, 2025 (National First-Gen Day) via Instagram @firstgenfund and on firstgen.org
Eligible To: Domestic first-generation undergraduate or graduate students, age 18 or older, in good academic standing, enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institution
📚 Scholarship Overview
The First Gen Fellowship isn’t just financial aid—it’s a recognition of your resilience and a commitment to supporting your educational journey. There’s no curriculum, coursework, or networking requirements—just direct, unrestricted aid to use toward educational costs such as tuition, books, housing, basic needs, professional development, and transportation . While relatively straightforward, the fellowship also invites recipients to share their story—if selected, you may be asked to provide a photo, testimonial, or short video and may serve as an ambassador for the fund .
🎁 Benefits
Financial Relief: A $1,000 one-time grant to ease hardship and support your educational expenses.
Recognition & Visibility: Fellowships are announced publicly on National First-Gen Day (November 8, 2025), allowing recipients to share their story and inspire others.
Meaningful Community: As a Fellow, you’ll become part of a growing community of first-gen students supported by the First Gen Fund—this comes with informal opportunities for representation and encouragement.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
Be a first-generation (neither parent holds a post-secondary degree) student.
Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited U.S. institution.
Be a domestic student (U.S. citizen or permanent resident).
Be in good academic standing.
Demonstrate significant financial hardship, shown via:
FAFSA or Pell Grant eligibility,
Proof of hardship (household income, loans, employment), or
A personal statement outlining hardship (e.g., income loss, responsibilities).
Be at least 18 years old.
Use funds solely for education-related expenses: tuition, books, housing, basic needs, professional development, transportation, etc.
📝 Application Procedure
Visit the First Gen Fund application portal on https://www.firstgen.org/apply
Complete the application, including:
Personal information (name, institution, academic level)
FAFSA or Pell Grant status
Details of your financial hardship
A personal statement (~500 words) describing your first-gen background and how the fellowship will help.
If selected, provide:
Your most recent official or unofficial transcript (or enrollment verification),
FAFSA Student Aid Report or equivalent financial documentation.
Submit your application by August 29, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PST. Late submissions will not be considered.
Awardees will be contacted directly and publicly announced on November 8, 2025 via Instagram and the website.
Note: Due to review volume, individual application inquiries will not be answered.