CU Boulder First Generation Scholarship

About this scholarship

The CU Boulder First Generation Scholarship supports incoming first-year and transfer students whose parents have not earned bachelor’s degrees and who demonstrate significant financial need. Colorado residents receive $4,000 per year and may renew for up to ten semesters or 150 attempted credit hours. Eligible nonresidents receive $8,000 per year for up to four years, but nonresident candidates must also be offered the CU Boulder Presidential Scholarship or Chancellor’s Achievement Scholarship. Students first apply for admission, complete the appropriate financial-aid application, and then use the CU Boulder Scholarship Application. For fall 2027, the university states that the aid application opens October 1 and the scholarship application opens December 1, 2026. The first-year scholarship deadline is March 15, 2027; resident transfers have until June 15. After completing the general scholarship form, eligible students are prompted to complete the First Generation Scholarship application and essay. Selection considers the entire application, not eligibility alone. Recipients participate in the First Generation Scholars Program, meet satisfactory academic progress rules, remain undergraduates with continuing financial need, and complete program requirements. The award cannot be used for summer classes but may be used during CU Boulder-sponsored education-abroad semesters.

Eligibility

• Apply for undergraduate admission to CU Boulder as an incoming first-year student or eligible resident transfer student
• Have parents who do not hold bachelor’s degrees, under CU Boulder’s published first-generation definition
• Demonstrate significant financial need through the FAFSA or applicable Colorado aid application
• Complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application and First Generation Scholarship essay
• Meet the March 15, 2027 first-year deadline or June 15, 2027 transfer deadline
• If a nonresident, also receive the Presidential Scholarship or Chancellor’s Achievement Scholarship
• Participate in the First Generation Scholars Program if selected
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress, undergraduate status, and continuing financial need for renewal