Loading
First in your family to go to college
Being the first in your family to go to college means navigating a system built for people who already know how it works. This guide names the scholarships, aid programs, and tools designed specifically for that position.
First-generation students make up over 40% of Arizona college enrollees — and funders have responded with dedicated programs at every level. The Dell Scholars Program, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and Questbridge are national; Arizona has its own first-gen pathways at ASU, UA, and through TRIO programs. The challenge isn't qualification — it's finding them.
Free tools for this situation
Things worth knowing
Apply for QuestBridge in the fall of senior year — it's the highest-leverage application most first-gen students skip
QuestBridge matches high-achieving, low-to-middle income students with full four-year scholarships at 50+ partner colleges. The application is free, the match binding only if you rank a college first. Arizona residents have won it. The deadline is typically October 1.
FAFSA opened October 1 — file it even if you think you won't qualify
Many institutional grants require FAFSA on file regardless of income. Skipping it forfeits money that isn't need-based. The FAFSA Checklist tool lists exactly what documents you'll need.
TRIO programs on every AZ public university campus give you an advisor, tutoring, and priority registration — free
Educational Opportunity Programs and Upward Bound are federally funded pipelines specifically for first-gen and low-income students. They don't require an application essay — just enrollment verification.
Get scholarships matched to your profile
Tell the matcher your grade, interests, and situation — it ranks all 360+ opportunities by how well they fit you.
Related guides for Arizona students
See all matching opportunities
The full browse catalog — pre-filtered for scholarships, sorted by relevance to your search.