I'm a first-generation student applying to colleges in Wisconsin soon. Can anyone share advice or resources on scholarships available in this state? Trying to find ways to make college more affordable.
Definitely, there are many scholarships in Wisconsin that you might qualify for as a first-generation college student!
Firstly, Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance Grants are available for students who are at least 25% Native American and are under the federal poverty level. Similarly, the Wisconsin Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant offers assistance to students from minority groups.
You can also apply for the Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant and the Diversity Scholars Program if you belong to targeted racial or ethnic minority groups.
On a broader scale, many organizations outside of Wisconsin might also offer scholarships to first-generation students. For instance, Sallie Mae’s Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program awards scholarships to high school seniors who are first-generation college students.
Appily, a free scholarship search tool, lets you filter your search by different characteristics, including your first-generation status — it's worth checking out!
Don't forget to complete the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and loans. The sooner you complete it, the better, as some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Finally, don't underestimate the impact of local community organizations, employers, and religious groups. Many of them offer small scholarships that, while they may not fully cover tuition, can definitely help defray some of the costs.
Remember, applying for scholarships is a numbers game, so the more you apply for, the greater your chances of securing some scholarship money. Best of luck!
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