Centering First-Gen Success to Secure Scholarships by Araceli Cruz, M.A.

Top students compete for the same scholarships. The difference is how they tell their story.

If you are a first-generation student, your lived experience can be your competitive edge in scholarship applications.

Scholarship committees are not looking for "perfect" students. They are looking for authentic stories of resilience, leadership, growth and impact. In this interactive workshop, students will learn how to strategically leverage their first-gen identity to craft powerful scholarship essays and compete confidently for funding.