First-Generation & Low-Income (FGLI) Scholars

Institutional vs. Intersectional: McNair Programs dominate, but intersectional funding offers larger awards

Support for first-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds operates through two channels: university-based McNair programs provide structured pathways to PhD programs, while intersectional funding recognizes FGLI status alongside other identities.

📊 Overview

  • Two Primary Pathways: Institutional (McNair) + Intersectional (identity-based)
  • Coverage: Undergraduate through early faculty
  • Funding Range: $1,000 - $50,000+
  • McNair Programs: 200+ institutions nationwide, federally funded
  • Key Insight: FGLI is often a criterion in broader diversity programs, not standalone

McNair Scholars Program (Most Important for FGLI)

Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

Organization: U.S. Department of Education (TRIO Programs) Type: Institutional program (200+ universities) Funding: Research stipends, GRE prep, conference travel Eligibility: First-generation + low-income OR underrepresented students

The flagship federal program for FGLI students aspiring to PhDs.

McNair Programs are federally funded at universities nationwide. They provide:

  • Summer research experiences with faculty mentors
  • GRE preparation and fee waivers
  • Graduate school application support
  • Academic counseling and mentorship
  • Conference travel funding
  • Graduate school visit funding

How to access: Check if your institution has a McNair Program. Application is typically during sophomore or junior year.

Post-McNair pathway: McNair Scholars have access to graduate fellowships at participating institutions.

McNair Graduate Fellowships (Institutional)

Organization: Individual graduate schools Amount: Varies by institution Deadline: Varies Eligibility: McNair Scholars applying to graduate programs

Many universities offer automatic fellowships or preferential consideration to McNair Scholars in their PhD admissions. These are institution-specific, not centrally funded.

Examples:

  • Fee waivers for applications
  • Guaranteed funding packages
  • Enhanced stipends
  • Priority admission consideration

Check with individual graduate programs for McNair-specific benefits.

Intersectional Funding (FGLI as Component)

These programs explicitly recognize first-generation and/or low-income status alongside other identities.

Ford Foundation Fellowship Program

Organization: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Amount: $27,000 (Predoctoral), $25,000 (Dissertation), $50,000 (Postdoctoral) Deadline: December (annually) Eligibility: Individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in academia (includes FGLI)

One of the most prestigious diversity fellowships in the United States.

Three levels:

  • Predoctoral Fellowship: $27,000 annually for 3 years
  • Dissertation Fellowship: $25,000 for 9-12 months of dissertation writing
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship: $50,000 for 1-2 years of postdoctoral research

Ford explicitly considers first-generation and low-income backgrounds as evidence of barriers overcome. Strongly encourages applications from FGLI scholars.

Graduate Fellowships for STEM Diversity (GFSD)

Organization: Multiple STEM societies Amount: $20,000/year Deadline: Varies Eligibility: Underrepresented groups in STEM (includes FGLI)

Collaborative program across scientific societies supporting graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds, including first-generation and low-income students.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Connections Grant

Organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Amount: $50,000 Deadline: Varies Eligibility: Scholars from underrepresented backgrounds, including FGLI

Supports postdoctoral and early-career researchers from underrepresented backgrounds (includes FGLI) in health-related fields.

Point Foundation Access Scholarship

Organization: Point Foundation Amount: Varies (need-based) Deadline: January (annually) Eligibility: LGBTQ+ & ally students who are first-generation and/or low-income

Cross-listed: LGBTQ+ + FGLI

Specifically targets students at the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and first-generation/low-income status. Provides multi-year support and mentorship.

Editor World Graduate Student Scholarship

Organization: Editor World Amount: $1,000 Deadline: Multiple times per year Eligibility: Graduate students (preference for FGLI)

Small scholarship with regular deadlines. Gives preference to first-generation graduate students.

Research Funding on Reducing Inequality

William T. Grant Foundation Research Grants on Reducing Inequality

Organization: William T. Grant Foundation Amount: Varies Deadline: Rolling Eligibility: Researchers studying inequality (FGLI scholars encouraged)

For researchers studying the issues you’ve experienced.

Supports research on reducing inequality in youth outcomes. Explicitly encourages applications from scholars with lived experience of inequality, including FGLI backgrounds.

High School to College Transition

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

Organization: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Amount: Up to $55,000/year (up to $220,000 total over 4 years) Deadline: Late October/November (annually) Eligibility: US high school seniors with financial need and 3.75+ GPA

One of the largest scholarships for high-achieving students with financial need. Provides comprehensive support including:

  • Up to $55,000/year for tuition, living expenses, books, fees
  • Academic advising and mentorship
  • Internship and study abroad funding
  • Graduate school guidance

Highly competitive: ~60 scholars selected annually from 2,000+ applications. First-generation students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Dell Scholars Program

Organization: Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Amount: $20,000 + laptop + textbook credits Deadline: January (annually) Eligibility: High school seniors who have overcome significant challenges (often first-gen, low-income)

Nationally-recognized program targeting students from low-income backgrounds. About 500 Dell Scholars selected annually, primarily from college readiness programs (AVID, Upward Bound, etc.).

Unique Support: Beyond financial aid, provides mentorship, networking, and crisis support throughout college to achieve strong graduation rates despite hardships.

The Gates Scholarship

Organization: Gates Foundation Amount: Full cost of attendance (last-dollar scholarship) Deadline: September (annually) Eligibility: Outstanding minority high school seniors from low-income households

Highly selective: 300 scholars annually. Covers full cost of attendance not covered by other aid. Scholars must be Pell Grant-eligible and from underrepresented minority groups.

Proportion First-Gen: Large proportion are first-generation college students given selection focus. Provides leadership development and cohort-based support.

Horatio Alger Association Scholarships

Organization: Horatio Alger Association Amount: $25,000 (National) / $10,000 (State) Deadline: October (annually for National), Varies by state Eligibility: High school students who have overcome adversity with financial need

Targets students who have faced and overcome significant adversity. Over 70% of recipients are first-generation college students.

Awards: 105 National Scholarships at $25,000 each + numerous state scholarships. Includes mentorship and support services.

Undergraduate Support

TIAA First-Generation Scholarship

Organization: TIAA (administered by Scholarship America) Amount: $5,000-$10,000 Deadline: May (annually) Eligibility: Current undergraduates who are first in family to attend four-year college

One-time awards for first-gen students continuing college education (not for high school seniors). About 15 awards given annually. Students may reapply each year if eligible.

Definition: First-generation means neither parent has a bachelor’s degree.

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF)

Organization: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Amount: $4,500 summer stipend × 2 years + $2,000/semester × 4 semesters + up to $10,000 loan repayment Deadline: Spring of sophomore year (campus-based) Eligibility: Rising juniors at 47 member institutions in humanities/humanistic social sciences

For undergraduates planning to pursue PhDs in humanities and humanistic social sciences. Provides summer research support, academic year funding, and graduate school preparation. Focus on increasing diversity in academia.

Member Institutions: Only available at participating colleges/universities. Check if your institution is a member.

Graduate Benefits: Fellows who enter PhD programs receive additional support and loan repayment assistance.

Graduate & PhD Programs

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Organization: Paul & Daisy Soros Foundation Amount: Up to $90,000 over 2 years ($25,000 annual stipend + $20,000 tuition) Deadline: Late October (annually) Eligibility: New Americans (naturalized citizens, green card holders, DACA, or children of immigrants) under 31 pursuing any graduate degree

Prestigious fellowship for immigrants or children of immigrants. Supports all graduate fields (MA, PhD, JD, MBA, MD, etc.). Highly competitive: ~30 fellows selected annually.

First-Gen Connection: Many fellows are first-generation college students given immigrant family backgrounds. Provides lifetime professional and personal network.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship

Organization: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Amount: Up to $150,000 over 4 years Deadline: Late fall/winter (annually) Eligibility: Previous Cooke College or Transfer Scholars who haven’t started graduate school

Note: Only for students who previously received Cooke College or Transfer scholarships. Not open to general applicants. Supports graduate education in any field.

SREB Doctoral Scholars Program

Organization: Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Amount: Full tuition + $22,000-$30,000/year stipend Deadline: Varies by institution Eligibility: Minority students in participating Southern states planning academic careers

For minority doctoral students who plan to become faculty members. Participating institutions in SREB states (16 Southern states). Provides full funding package plus mentorship and professional development.

Application: Through participating institutions during graduate admissions process.

Health Policy Research Scholars Program

Organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Amount: $30,000/year × 4 years + up to $10,000 dissertation grant Deadline: Annual (check current cycle) Eligibility: 2nd year PhD candidates from historically marginalized communities in public health policy

For PhD students from underrepresented communities (including first-gen) studying health policy. Provides multiyear funding, mentorship, and professional development. Focus on building diverse health policy workforce.

Impact: Cohort-based program connecting scholars nationally in health policy research.

📋 Complete Grant Table

Grant Name Organization Amount Type Eligibility Link
McNair Scholars Program U.S. Dept of Education Varies Institutional First-gen + Low-income Find Programs
McNair Graduate Fellowships Individual Institutions Varies Institutional McNair Scholars Find Programs
Ford Foundation Predoctoral National Academies $27,000/yr × 3 Intersectional Underrepresented (incl FGLI) Apply
Ford Foundation Dissertation National Academies $25,000 Intersectional Underrepresented (incl FGLI) Apply
Ford Foundation Postdoctoral National Academies $50,000 Intersectional Underrepresented (incl FGLI) Apply
GFSD Fellowship STEM Societies $20,000/yr Intersectional STEM Diversity (incl FGLI) Apply
RWJF New Connections RWJF $50,000 Intersectional Health Fields (incl FGLI) Apply
Point Access Scholarship Point Foundation Varies Intersectional LGBTQ+ + FGLI Apply
Editor World Scholarship Editor World $1,000 Direct Grad Students (FGLI pref) Apply
W.T. Grant Research Grants W.T. Grant Foundation Varies Research Inequality Researchers Apply

💡 Application Strategy: Embrace Intersectionality

The FGLI Paradox

Unlike other diversity categories, standalone FGLI funding is rare. Most support comes through:

  1. Institutional programs (McNair)
  2. Intersectional programs (FGLI + another identity)
  3. Criteria in broader diversity programs (Ford, NSF GRFP)

For Undergraduates:

  1. Join your campus McNair Program (if available) - this is your best bet
  2. If no McNair, look for TRIO programs (Upward Bound, Student Support Services)
  3. Apply to intersectional scholarships that include FGLI (Point Access if LGBTQ+)

For Graduate Students:

  1. Ford Foundation Fellowships are THE flagship opportunity for FGLI scholars
    • Predoctoral: Apply during first 3 years of PhD
    • Dissertation: Apply when ABD (All But Dissertation)
  2. Check if your institution offers McNair Scholar benefits
  3. Apply to field-specific diversity programs that value FGLI (GFSD for STEM)

For Postdocs:

  1. Ford Postdoctoral Fellowship ($50,000)
  2. RWJF New Connections if in health fields ($50,000)
  3. Look for “diversity” postdoc programs that explicitly list FGLI

For Researchers:

  1. If studying inequality, apply to W.T. Grant Foundation
  2. Highlight lived experience in NSF CAREER and other grants

Highlighting FGLI Status

In applications, emphasize:

  • Barriers overcome (not just hardship)
  • How your background informs your research/career goals
  • Commitment to increasing access for others
  • Leadership in FGLI communities

Common mistake: Treating FGLI as a checkbox. Successful applications show how first-gen/low-income background shapes perspective, research, and mission.

🌟 Key Organizations & Programs

McNair Scholars Program

The federal government’s primary vehicle for supporting FGLI students’ pathways to PhDs. If your institution has McNair, join it. If it doesn’t, transfer to one that does (seriously considered by many FGLI students).

Ford Foundation Fellowship Program

Most prestigious diversity fellowship in the U.S. Explicitly values first-generation and low-income backgrounds. Three-stage support (predoc, dissertation, postdoc).

TRIO Programs

McNair is part of the larger TRIO suite of federal programs for FGLI students:

  • Upward Bound (high school)
  • Talent Search (middle/high school)
  • Student Support Services (undergrad)
  • McNair (undergrad → grad)
  • Educational Opportunity Centers (adult learners)

🔗 Related Opportunities

Also see:

Cross-listed opportunities:

Remember: Many “general” diversity programs explicitly consider FGLI:

  • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
  • NIH Diversity Supplements
  • Institutional diversity fellowships

Always check if FGLI is listed in eligibility criteria, even if not in the program title.

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