The First Gen Fund is 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.
To be considered for a Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
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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.)
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Must be in good academic standing.
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Applicants must show significant financial hardship through one or more of the following:
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Eligibility for federal financial aid (FAFSA) or Pell Grant
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Proof of financial hardship (e.g., household income, education loans, student employment)
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A personal statement explaining financial hardship (e.g., loss of income, unexpected expenses, family responsibilities)
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Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
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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:
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Most recent official or unofficial transcript, or official enrollment verification report.
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Copy of FAFSA Student Aid Report or equivalent financial documentation.