First Gen RRISE Scholarships
RRISE UP’s First Gen Scholarships are designed to support students whose parent/guardian(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree. Scholarships are specifically for First Gen High School Seniors subsequently enrolling in college during the fall quarter/semester of their graduating year.
We know that preparing for college and navigating through various educational systems can be daunting for First Gen students. We also know that a kind gesture goes a long way. Scholarships will be awarded to First Gen students who RRISE UP for environmental, social, and economic justice.
Scholarships will be reviewed and announced at the end of spring semester. Scholarship applications are now closed. No priority is given to applications submitted before the deadline. Scholarships will be awarded in June and funds will be disbursed by July. To apply for a scholarship, students need to meet the following criteria:
- MUST be a high school senior in the graduating class
- MUST include fall semester grades on the application
- MUST apply to at least three colleges (can be UC, CSU, private, junior college, community college, or out of state) prior to completing the scholarship application
- MUST be a first generation student, meaning that your parent(s)/guardian(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree
- MUST be enrolled in a high school located in California. This scholarship only applies to the following cities: Oakland, Richmond, Hayward, Carson, El Segundo, Gardena, Inglewood, Lawndale, Harbor City, San Pedro and Wilmington
- MUST show proof of college enrollment prior to receiving the scholarship funds
*Congratulations to our 2024 scholarship winner - Isabel (Izzy) Edwards! We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Attending University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu Fall 2024
Isabel (Izzy) Edwards
Isabel plans to pursue a degree in English/Journalism, Creative and Rhetoric Writing, or Environmental Science. She will use her college education and personal perseverance to dive into the wonders of the natural world. Isabel wants to do great work in the name of sustainability to uncover solutions and curate systems that will preserve the health of the Earth for the next generation of inhabitants.
Hayward High School
Attending Los Angeles Harbor College in Fall 2023
Victoria Lopez
Victoria plans to pursue a degree in Sociology, Education, or Social Work. She will RRISE UP by first educating herself on the ways in which different communities are impacted by environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic injustice. Then, she will use her voice to advocate for change and challenge injustices.
Humanities and Arts Academy of Los Angeles
Attending El Camino College in Fall 2022
Kenneth Combs
Kenneth plans to pursue a degree in Biology. He wants to tackle injustices in this world, especially against Black people and POC. By educating people about his experiences as an African American in the USA, he wants to eliminate racism and ignorance.
Da Vinci Science High School
Attending UC San Diego in Fall 2022
Katherine Juarez-Borja
Katherine plans to pursue a degree in Pediatrics. She will rise for justice by spreading awareness on social media, educating friends/family about issues, donating money to the appropriate organizations, signing petitions, and calling on local politicians to demand justice for marginalized communities.
Da Vinci Science High School
Attending UC Irvine in Fall 2022
Matthew Santana
Matthew plans to pursue a degree in Public Health Services. He wants to use his degree to advance better health for low-income, immigrant communities like the one he came from. He plans to work for disadvantaged communities through civil service during college and upon graduation.
Da Vinci Science High School
Attending College Next Year?
Are you next?
Join our esteemed scholarship winners! Apply for a First Gen Scholarship and tell us how you RRISE UP for your community.
Support Future Young RRISEers
Join us in supporting First Gen high school seniors before they enroll in college! Scholarships will be awarded to First Gen students who RRISE Up for environmental, social, and economic justice. Your donation is a kind gesture that goes a long way. The fundraiser link to donate will be active by 5:00 pm on May 17, 2024.
Fundraiser link
We want to help you succeed in college! Show your interest for a scholarship by completing this survey if you live in one of the designated cities in California!
Give to the First Gen RRISE Scholarships
Support a First Gen student enrolling in college for the first time! The First Gen RRISE Scholarships are designed to support students whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree. These scholarships are specifically for First Gen High School Seniors enrolling in college during the fall semester immediately upon graduating.
We know that preparing for college and navigating through various educational systems can be daunting for First Gen students. We also know that a kind gesture goes a long way. Scholarships will be awarded to First Gen students who RRISE UP for environmental, social, and economic justice.
Please choose an amount and complete the form to make a donation.