SCHOLARS: INTRODUCTION

The goal of the First Scholars program is to help first-generation college students succeed in school and ultimately graduate from college. The program is open to incoming first-time, full-time freshmen whose parents did not attend college. Selected students receive personalized support, including a four-year renewable scholarship of $5,000. If that description fits your background, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships.

As a First Scholars participant, you receive:

• Access to information, people and resources that will help you navigate through the college experience.
• A social network of other first-generation college students, including an upperclassman peer mentor.
• Help integrating into the campus through social and volunteer activities.
• Personalized academic and other support as determined by the results of the Student Strengths Inventory™ (SSI) each year through your First Scholar personal strategic plan.
• A $5,000 scholarship which can be renewed for an additional three years if you continue to meet the requirements of the program, for a total award of $20,000.
• Students selected for these scholarships agree to participate in the required activities of the First Scholars program, which include meeting with the program coordinator and peer mentor/advisor regularly and attending special courses, workshops, and service activities. As you become an upperclassman, you will transition into a leadership role and give back by mentoring or tutoring incoming scholars in the First Scholars “pay-it-forward” program.

• Learn more about the First Scholars program.
• See if you are eligible to apply for a scholarship through our program.