Planning for college has me searching for scholarships in New York as a first-gen student. Does anyone have recommendations for where I might find suitable scholarships or any key resources?
First-generation student scholarships are a great way to offset the cost of college. Here are some suggestions.
1. The Regents Award for Children of Deceased and Disabled Veterans: This is specifically a scholarship for students in New York whose parent(s) served in the U.S. armed forces and are now deceased, disabled, POW, or MIA.
2. New York State STEM Incentive Program: If you're considering a STEM major, this scholarship may be worth exploring. It's specifically for top-ranking high school students attending a SUNY or CUNY college full-time in a STEM undergraduate program.
3. New York State Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program: If you're interested in becoming a STEM teacher, you might be eligible for this scholarship. It requires you to commit to a teaching service obligation.
4. The Excelsior Scholarship: This is a significant program that can provide free tuition for New York State residents attending a SUNY or CUNY school full-time.
5. First Generation College Bound Scholarship: This is a scholarship specifically for first-generation college students. The scholarship is merit-based and open to all fields of study.
Similarly, there are many nationwide scholarships available for first-generation students such as The Coca-Cola First-Generation Scholarship, California's Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD), and the First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG).
As for key resources, use scholarship search platforms like Fastweb or Appily, which allow you to filter scholarships based on various factors such as your GPA, major, extracurricular activities, and first-generation student status. Remember to fill out the FAFSA to access federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Remember, every bit counts, and applying to a range of scholarships can add up. Good luck with your search!
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