College Scholarships for First-Generation Students

$1,000 Spark Admissions Scholarships for First-Generation College Students

Spark Admissions will award three $1,000 scholarships to outstanding high school seniors with demonstrated financial need who will become first-generation college students in Fall 2025. Scholarship winners will have achieved outstanding grades. They will also have helped their communities in meaningful ways and will be able to articulate clearly what they hope to achieve via a college education.

Scholarship Details & Eligibility:

To be eligible for this merit-based scholarship, applicants must:

Be high school seniors planning to attend college in Fall 2025;
Be first-generation college students;
Submit an SAT/ACT fee waiver to demonstrate financial need;
Be permanent U.S. residents;
Have a GPA of 3.8 (unweighted) or higher.

Selection Criteria:
We will be looking for students who can do the following:

Describe how they have contributed to their communities in a meaningful way;
Discuss their long-term ambitions and how they will use their undergraduate educations;
Have exceptional grades and have taken high-rigor coursework (AP, IB, Honors courses, etc.) in high school.

Applicants may also:

Submit SAT or ACT scores (though these are optional).

Scholarship Application Steps:

Step 1

Complete the application form below.

Step 2

Please respond to both of the following prompts:

Describe how you have contributed to and made an impact in your community
1. Word Limit: 200 words
Explain your goals for college and what you hope to accomplish with your degree.
1. Word Limit: 200 words

Step 3

Upload an SAT or ACT fee waiver form, your transcript, and, if you choose to submit test scores, an SAT or ACT score report.

Important Dates:

Application Opens: April 1, 2025

Submission Deadline: June 1, 2025

Application Notification Date: July 15, 2025

1. Who is considered a first-generation college student?

This term refers to individuals whose parents and grandparents did not attend a four-year college or university.

2. How can I use this scholarship?

Spark Admissions will award the scholarship directly to the student, for use on tuition, books, or college-related living expenses

3. Who do I contact with further questions?

We are not able to answer individual questions. Please rest assured that all applications will be reviewed thoughtfully and that both academic merit and your essay responses will be considered holistically.

Spark Admissions Scholarships