First-Generation Scholarship Program
Your Scholarship Journey
Being a First Generation Scholar is about more than receiving a scholarship. Throughout the year, you'll participate in experiences that help you build community, stay engaged and continue making progress toward your goals.
Get Connected
As a First Generation Scholar, you'll have opportunities to:
- Connect with other first-generation students
- Build relationships with program staff, faculty and mentors
- Attend community-building events and campus programs
- Develop leadership, career and professional skills
- Learn about campus resources that support your success
Complete Your Annual Requirements
To renew your scholarship each year, you'll complete a few requirements designed to help you stay connected, make academic progress and continue growing throughout your college experience.
Every scholar will:
- Participate in approved engagement opportunities.
- Meet with an academic advisor during both the fall and spring semesters.
- Stay connected with the First Generation Scholarship Program staff.
- Complete a short end-of-year reflection.
You'll also need to continue meeting scholarship eligibility requirements, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP), demonstrated financial need and undergraduate enrollment. Residents may renew the scholarship for up to 10 semesters or 150 credit hours (whichever comes first), and nonresidents may renew for up to eight semesters or four years (whichever comes first).
Your Annual Checklist
Your program requirements depend on where you are in your college journey. All milestone reflections should be submitted through the program's Canvas course within one week after finals.
Requirement Area | First-Year Scholars | Second Year Continuing Scholars | Third/Fourth/Fifth Year Continuing Scholars | Transfer Scholars (First year at CU and continuing) |
Engagement | 4 approved events per academic year | 3 approved events per academic year | 3 approved events per academic year | 2 approved events per academic year |
First Generation Student Enrichment Campus Connection | 1 individual meeting with First Generation Scholarship Program Coordinator during the academic year | 1 First Generation Scholarship Program Coordinator group meeting for the year (via Zoom) during the academic year
| Optional individual First Generation Scholarship Program Coordinator meeting | 1 individual meeting with First Generation Scholarship Program Coordinator during the transfer scholar's first academic year at CU Boulder. Optional individual First Generation Scholarship Program Coordinator meeting after first academic year at CU Boulder
|
Academic Engagement | Meet with academic advisor once in fall and once in spring for course registration | Meet with academic advisor once in fall and once in spring for course registration | Meet with academic advisor once in fall and once in spring for course registration
| Meet with academic advisor once in fall and once in spring for course registration |
Milestone | Transition and belonging milestone Reflect on your transition to CU Boulder, involvement in events and opportunities and the resources that have supported your success and sense of belonging. Submitted on Buff Connect | Career, academic or leadership milestone Reflect on experiences that support your academic, career, leadership and personal development goals. Submitted on Buff Connect
| Career, academic or leadership milestone Reflect on experiences that support your academic, career, leadership and personal development goals. Submitted on Buff Connect
| Transition and academic/career planning milestone Reflect on your transfer experience, connections to campus resources and community and progress toward your academic and career goals. Submitted on BuffConnect |
Already Participating in Another Program?
Many First-Generation Scholars also participate in scholarship, leadership or academic success programs across campus.
If you're actively involved in an approved affiliated program, some of your First-Generation Scholarship Program renewal requirements may be satisfied through that participation. This helps reduce duplicate requirements while recognizing the time and effort you're already investing in your success.
If you're participating through an affiliated program, you'll still need to:
- Complete a brief survey each fall and spring semester.
- Remain in good standing with your affiliated program.
- Provide verification of participation if requested.
Not sure if your program qualifies? Contact the First-Generation Scholarship Program team—we're happy to help.
Approved affiliated programs include:
- Campos Program
- Lattice Scholars Program
- CMDI Diversity Scholars
- Diverse Scholars Program (Leeds)
- McNeill Academic Program
- Miramontes Arts & Sciences Program
- Multicultural Leadership Scholars Program
- President's Leadership Class
- Sharer Scholars Program
- TRiO Student Support Services
- Other approved programs determined by First-Generation Scholarship Program staff
Looking for Support?
College doesn't always go as planned, and we understand that unexpected challenges can happen.
If illness, financial hardship, family responsibilities or another significant life event affects your ability to complete scholarship requirements, contact the First-Generation Scholarship Program as early as possible. We'll work with you to discuss your situation, connect you with campus resources and help you understand your options.
Scholarship Appeals
Students who don't meet scholarship renewal requirements may be eligible to submit an appeal through the university's scholarship appeals process. Appeal instructions are typically included in your nonrenewal notification via your colorado.edu email.
While the First-Generation Scholarship Program doesn't administer the appeals process, we're here to help you understand your options and connect you with the appropriate campus resources. Appeals are reviewed individually and may consider extenuating circumstances, supporting documentation, academic progress, program engagement and scholarship funding availability.
Students should consult the Office of Scholarship Services and any scholarship-specific communications for current appeal procedures, deadlines and requirements. You can also email scholarshipadvisor@colorado.edu.
Additional Resources
For more information about scholarship renewal, financial aid and student support, visit:
Questions about the First-Generation Scholarship Program? Contact FirstGenerationProgram@colorado.edu.