First-Generation Scholarship Program

The First Generation Scholarship Program provides scholarship recipients with financial support, personalized guidance and opportunities to help you succeed at 91´«Ã½.Ìý

As a First Generation Scholar, you'll build community, connect with campus resources, develop leadership skills and participate in experiences that support your academic, personal and professional goals. Our goal is to help you feel like you belong, stay connected and make the most of your college experience.

Your Scholarship Journey

Being a First Generation Scholar is about more than receiving a scholarship. Throughout the year, you'll participate in experiences that help you build community, stay engaged and continue making progress toward your goals.Ìý

Get Connected

As a First Generation Scholar, you'll have opportunities to:Ìý

  • Connect with other first-generation studentsÌýÌý
  • Build relationships with program staff, faculty and mentorsÌýÌý
  • Attend community-building events and campus programsÌýÌý
  • Develop leadership, career and professional skillsÌýÌý
  • Learn about campus resources that support your successÌý

Complete Your Annual Requirements

To renew your scholarship each year, you'll complete a few requirements designed to help you stay connected, make academic progress and continue growing throughout your college experience.Ìý

Every scholar will:Ìý

  • Participate in approved engagement opportunities.ÌýÌý
  • Meet with an academic advisor during both the fall and spring semesters.ÌýÌý
  • Stay connected with the First Generation Scholarship Program staff.ÌýÌý
  • Complete a short end-of-year reflection.Ìý

You'll also need to continue meeting scholarship eligibility requirements, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP), demonstrated financial need and undergraduate enrollment. Residents may renew the scholarship for up to 10 semesters or 150 credit hours (whichever comes first), and nonresidents may renew for up to eight semesters or four years (whichever comes first).

Your Annual Checklist

Your program requirements depend on where you are in your college journey. All milestone reflections should be submitted through the program's Canvas course within one week after finals.Ìý

RequirementÌýÌý

First-Year ScholarsÌý

Continuing ScholarsÌý

Transfer ScholarsÌý

DeadlineÌý

EngagementÌý

Attend 4 approved events per yearÌý

Attend 3 approved events per yearÌý

Attend 2 approved events per yearÌý

By the last day of classesÌý

Campus ConnectionÌý

Meet individually with the First-Generation Scholarship Program coordinator during the academic yearÌý

Attend one group advising meeting with the First-Generation Scholarship Program coordinator during the academic yearÌý

Meet individually with the First Generation Scholarship Program coordinator during your first academic year at 91´«Ã½Ìý

Ìý

By the last day of classesÌý

Ìý

Academic AdvisingÌý

Meet with your academic advisor once each semesterÌý

Meet with your academic advisor once each semesterÌý

Meet with your academic advisor once each semesterÌý

Ìý

Before registration closes each semesterÌý

Milestone ReflectionsÌý

Complete a transition and belonging reflectionÌý

Complete an academic, career or leadership reflectionÌý

Complete a transfer transition and academic/career reflectionÌý

By finals weekÌý

Meeting Your Requirements

Engagement Opportunities

Your engagement requirement is designed to help you build community, connect with campus and support your success at 91´«Ã½.Ìý

Examples of approved engagement opportunities include:ÌýÌý

These are just a few examples. Other campus events may also count if you can reflect on how the experience supported your sense of belonging, leadership development, academic success, professional growth or campus involvement.Ìý

Academic Advising

All First-Generation Scholars are required to meet with their academic advisor once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester.Ìý

These meetings help you stay on track academically, prepare for registration and connect with resources that support your success.Ìý

Milestone Reflections

Each year, you'll complete a short reflection based on your scholar track.Ìý

  • First-Year Scholars: Reflect on your transition to 91´«Ã½, your sense of belonging, the campus resources you've used and your plans for academic success.Ìý
  • Continuing Scholars: Reflect on experiences that have supported your academic success, career exploration, leadership development and personal growth.Ìý
  • Transfer Scholars: Reflect on your transition to 91´«Ã½, your connections to campus and your progress toward your academic and career goals.Ìý

Already Participating in Another Program?

Many First-Generation Scholars also participate in scholarship, leadership or academic success programs across campus.Ìý

If you're actively involved in an approved affiliated program, some of your First-Generation Scholarship Program renewal requirements may be satisfied through that participation. This helps reduce duplicate requirements while recognizing the time and effort you're already investing in your success.Ìý

If you're participating through an affiliated program, you'll still need to:Ìý

  • Complete a brief survey each fall and spring semester.ÌýÌý
  • Remain in good standing with your affiliated program.ÌýÌý
  • Provide verification of participation if requested.ÌýÌý

Not sure if your program qualifies? Contact the First-Generation Scholarship Program team—we're happy to help.Ìý

Approved affiliated programs include:Ìý

  • Campos ProgramÌýÌý
  • Lattice Scholars ProgramÌýÌý
  • CMDI Diversity ScholarsÌýÌý
  • Diverse Scholars Program (Leeds)ÌýÌý
  • McNeill Academic ProgramÌýÌý
  • Miramontes Arts & Sciences ProgramÌýÌý
  • Multicultural Leadership Scholars ProgramÌýÌý
  • President's Leadership ClassÌýÌý
  • Sharer Scholars ProgramÌýÌý
  • TRiO Student Support ServicesÌýÌý
  • Other approved programs determined by First-Generation Scholarship Program staffÌý

Looking for Support?

College doesn't always go as planned, and we understand that unexpected challenges can happen.Ìý

If illness, financial hardship, family responsibilities or another significant life event affects your ability to complete scholarship requirements, contact the First-Generation Scholarship Program as early as possible. We'll work with you to discuss your situation, connect you with campus resources and help you understand your options.Ìý

Scholarship AppealsÌý

Students who don't meet scholarship renewal requirements may be eligible to submit an appeal through the university's scholarship appeals process. Appeal instructions are typically included in your nonrenewal notification via your colorado.edu email.Ìý

While the First-Generation Scholarship Program doesn't administer the appeals process, we're here to help you understand your options and connect you with the appropriate campus resources. Appeals are reviewed individually and may consider extenuating circumstances, supporting documentation, academic progress, program engagement and scholarship funding availability.Ìý

Students should consult the Office of Scholarship Services and any scholarship-specific communications for current appeal procedures, deadlines and requirements. You can also email scholarshipadvisor@colorado.edu.

Additional 91´«Ã½

For more information about scholarship renewal, financial aid and student support, visit:Ìý

Questions about the First-Generation Scholarship Program? Contact FirstGenerationProgram@colorado.edu.