First Gen Fellowship
Applications Are Open!
We’re awarding 50 First Gen Fellowships in 2025 — that’s 50 grants of $1k providing financial hardship relief directly to first gen students.
Applications must be submitted by August 29th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Awardees will be contacted directly and announced on National First-Gen Day on November 8, 2025 on Instagram @firstgenfund and on firstgen.org.
Please note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive and to ensure an impartial review process, we are unable to respond to correspondence regarding individual applications.
Please read before submitting your application.
To be considered for a Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Must be a full-time first gen student currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited U.S. college or university. (Note: Per funding guidelines, eligibility for this grant is limited to domestic students. International applicants are not eligible.)
Must be in good academic standing.
Applicants must show significant financial hardship through one or more of the following:
Eligibility for federal financial aid (FAFSA) or Pell Grant
Proof of financial hardship (e.g., household income, education loans, student employment)
A personal statement explaining financial hardship (e.g., loss of income, unexpected expenses, family responsibilities)
Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Funds must be used for educational expenses (e.g. fees, books, housing, basic needs, professional development opportunities and activities, transportation related to school, and other education-related expenses).
If selected to receive a Fellowship, you will be required to submit the following:
Most recent official or unofficial transcript, or official enrollment verification report.
Copy of FAFSA Student Aid Report or equivalent financial documentation.