15 Scholarship programs for first-generation college students in Europe 2025-2026

You can Now Secure your future through education with scholarships programs for first-generation college students. Explore programs that provide financial assistance and support.

An amazing opportunity is right before you to study with a scholarship as a first-generation college Student. don’t miss to discover those scholarship programs for first-generation college students and take advantage of them.

What is a first-generation scholarship?
Scholarship programs for first-generation college students

The word “first generation scholarship†is a financial support specifically made or given to those students who are the first in their family to enter college or university.

With the help of this scholarship, will help first-generation students to pursue their education without any financial obstacle stopping them on their way.

Read more:International Scholarship Programs For Women In STEM Field – In The US 2024.

15 Available Scholarship programs for first-generation college students

Are as follows:

  1. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (Switzerland).
  2. Santander Scholarships
  3. University of Helsinki Scholarships (Finland)
  4. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France).
  5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs).
  6. University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships (Switzerland).
  7. Uppsala University Global Scholarships (Sweden).
  8. Radboud Scholarship Program (Netherlands).
  9. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
  10. Leiden University Excellence Scholarships (Netherlands).
  11. Chevening Scholarships (UK).
  12. KU Leuven IRO Scholarships (Belgium).
  13. Italian Government Scholarships.
  14. VU Amsterdam Fellowship Program (Netherlands).
  15. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP).

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (Switzerland)…

Made for supporting students that performed well at their masters level. The selected applicants will study free of charge because the scholarship covers living costs & full study.

Application date: Nov 1 – Nov 30, 2024.

All applications will bemade here.

Scholarship worth: CHF 12’000 per semester

Eligibility for Applying for this scholarship.

  • Excellent results in your bachelor’s degree program eg with a grade A.
  • During the application process ensure your contact details are reachable. etc.

To read the full guidelines for this scholarship you candownload this pdf file.

Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship

Every year Coca-Cola company offers first-generation scholarships to deserving students, The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities partners with Coca-Cola so that their students can benefit from the scholarship programs for first-generation college students.

Scholarship worth: $5,000 to 5 selected students.

Apply now

Eligibility & Criteria

  • Applicants must choose any of these courses business administration, technology, math, and engineering.
  • Should be a first-generation student ( the parents are not able to complete 4 years of bachelor’s degree.)
  • Applicants must be of Latinx or Hispanic descent.
  • Should have a minimum or higher 2.5 grade point.
  • Must be a graduating senior student in 2023-2024. Etc.

University of Helsinki Scholarships (Finland)

Providing 50-100% tuition fee waiver and scholarships to first-generation and other students as well.

This scholarship is available for undergraduate and master’s students.

To be able to receive this scholarship students must choose a full-time course.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France)

The worth of the scholarship varies depending on the course and level of the degree.

This scholarship was established to attract foreign students from around the world so that they can complete their PhD & master’s programs. Established by the French Ministry for Europe & Foreign Affairs.

2023-2024 applications have closed. You canÂapply for 2025-2026 which will be available in October.

It is one of the scholarship programs for first-generation college students designed to help them financially.

Note: to apply for this scholarship students have to do it through a campus, any student who applies directly will not be accepted.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs).

This scholarship from Erasmus Mundus is open to all global students & first-generation students. Awarded candidates will study in one of the European colleges or Universities.

Available for master’s degree students

Get started bychoosing your course and selecting your preferred university.

Read more:25 Tips To Reduce Tuition Fees For International Students In The US

University of Geneva Excellence Master Fellowships (Switzerland).

 

Scholarship worth: CHF 10’000 to CHF 15’000/year

This scholarship is one year but it will be extended till the duration of the program or course. It will be extended if the awarded students maintain excellent results at the end of each semester.

You can go on with the application here.

Uppsala University Global Scholarships (Sweden).

Uppsala University provides this scholarship yearly to international students, it’s among the scholarship programs for first-generation college students, first-generation students are allowed to apply for this scholarship but it’s highly competitive and only 2% of the applicants are accepted.

You canapply for this scholarship.

At Uppsala, university they also offer scholarships specifically made for African students eg.

Radboud Scholarship Program (Netherlands).

Radboud scholarship program is the best scholarship program for first-generation college students,Aims at helping them further their education by providing almost free scholarships to them.

For example, instead of paying €17,000 tuition fee the student has to pay €2,530 tuition fee, this is a precious opportunity indeed and it’s going to last until the course/program is over.

Radboud scholarship program covers

  • health insurance
  • liability insurance for your stay in the NetherlandsÂ
  • costs for visa
  • residence permit.

But the cost of the students living in the Netherlands is never covered.

Feel like Applying?Check here application for 2025/2026 will resume in October.

Read more:Top 20 Organizations Offering Scholarships To Students With Disabilities.

DAAD Scholarships

DAAD Scholarships is one of the largest organizations for providing scholarships to both international & German students.

Every year they fund up to 100,000 students, helping them financially including first-generation students who find it hard to continue their education.

This scholarship aims mostly at supporting

  • Doctoral students
  • Graduates and
  • Postdocs.

DAAD offers different kinds of scholarships to students you can visit their scholarship portal and choose the right scholarship/grants that interest you.

First Generation Scholarship requirements

The requirements for scholarship programs for first-generation college students may vary depending on the campus or organization offering the scholarship.

Here are some of the things that may be required.

  • The applicants should be the first person to enroll in a university or college.
  • Should have high academic achievement. Etc.

It is recommended to thoroughly go through the requirements of the scholarship.

First-generation scholarship application

Before proceeding with the Application ensure you are eligible and meet all the requirements needed for the scholarship.

Many scholarships will require students to apply through a school while others will allow direct application, therefore before submitting your application ensure you applied it rightly.

Even after clicking the apply button for the Scholarship programs for first-generation college students, the application portal has closed you can check back in October or other months to catch up with the application date and apply for it.

 

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