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We're awarding 50 First Gen Fellowships in 2026 - that's 50 grants of $1k providing financial hardship relief directly to first gen students.
Applications must be submitted by September 16, 6 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, 2026 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.
Process
1. Register
Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
Login to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application.
4. Save
During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the application is saved.
5. Submit
On completion, save your Application as FINAL.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be considered for a Fellowship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Must be a full-time 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 identify as a first generation college student.We recognize that family background is complex, and we encourage you to identify with what feels most true to your lived experience.
- Must be in good academic standing with your college or university.
Good academic standing is generally defined as meeting your school’s minimum GPA requirements and not being on academic probation for any reason. If you are unsure, please check with your registrar or academic advisor before continuing this application.
- Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
- Applicants must show significant financial hardship through one or both of the following:
- Eligibility for Pell Grant or other need-based aid
- A personal statement explaining financial hardship (e.g., lack of parental contribution, unexpected expenses)
- 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).
Please note: Due to the volume of applications received, we are not able to answer questions about individual eligibility.