First in My Family Scholarship Program

• 2007 Recipients (PDF, 44KB)

The First in My Family Scholarship Program, developed in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund, offers scholarships to Hispanic-American students who are the first in their family to attend college and have financial need. The program is open to Hispanic Americans who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled as full time undergraduate students at approved, accredited institutions. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000.

This program is now closed for the 2008 academic year.

If you have specific questions about this program that are not answered on HCF's Web site, please call HCF at 1-800-644-4223.

Scholarship Winner Quotes

“Words cannot describe how it feels to obtain financial relief while pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education… You have provided a path many of us have decided to travel and we have found a blessing.”
Gerard Garcia, senior
Ottawa University, Overland Park, Kan.

“You have made a huge difference in my life and allowed me to recognize that there are truly people out there that care and want to make dreams come true. I believe that because of your help other Hispanics including my family will make something of themselves.”
Lorena Jaimes, junior
Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Wash.

“Thanks to you I don’t have to worry about how I am going to buy my books and pay for tuition. Thanks to your organization I will complete my dream of completing my education and becoming a nurse.”
Olga Ramirez, sophomore
Seattle Community College–South, Seattle, Wash.

“Over the past few months my family has experienced financial hardships and has become worried about educational expenses. With the help of The Sallie Mae Fund scholarship, I will be able to complete my junior year of college without the burden of educational expenses… Once again thank you very much Sallie Mae Fund for making my dreams come true.”
Amilcar Guzman, junior
Lycoming College, Williamsport, Penn.

“I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to receive a college education and achieve my goal. Since I am the first in my family to attend college, this opportunity means a great deal to me and my parents.”
Jessica Nieves, sophomore
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

“Your contribution to my academic progress is one in which I will be forever grateful. Were it not for philanthropists such as you, countless students would be left without the means to continue their education.”
Brent Garcia, junior
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.

“By giving me a grant [scholarship], I feel that your program believes in me and trusts me to use their money wisely rather than wasting it on an unproductive and passive education. You have my word that I will do my best in my studies next semester and will work as hard as I always have.”
Chavah Kurtz, senior
University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, Alaska

“Without the generous support of this scholarship program, the majority of my experiences, both past and future, would not have been possible. Now, I am able to study in another country where I will earn my minor in Spanish and Mexico Today.”
Vanessa Baltazar, junior
Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colo.

“As a ‘First in My Family’ recipient I plan to continue and further my education thus setting the groundwork for the generations behind me to follow, while also utilizing my education to better assist the adolescents I encounter in my line of work.”
Elba Rodriguez, junior
CUNY Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, N.Y.

“It is organizations and people like those from The Sallie Mae [Fund] program that have made it a less difficult journey for those who may come across many obstacles while attending a higher education… Every day I feel fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend college and gain the knowledge I need to accomplish my goals to become a physician.”
Jessica Hernandez, senior
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ill.

“It’s through your help that I have been able to transform myself from a high school graduate with a dream of being a television news reporter, to a soon to be college graduate—confident with my skills.”
Raymond Villeda, senior
Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y.

“Your scholarship will be put to good use and without your help it would be impossible for me to attend college. I can’t express my gratitude enough. My family and I thank you sincerely for your help. You're helping me reach my dreams and goals.”
Teresa Obrero
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio