BETHESDA, Md., April 1, 2013 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Center for Student Opportunity (CSO), a national nonprofit, is now accepting applications for the “I’m First” Scholarship, a $2,000 four-year renewable scholarship for matriculating first-generation college students.
In addition to the financial award, CSO provides scholarship winners the unique opportunity to blog about their college experiences and give advice to aspiring first-generation college students across the country on the “I’m First” web blog.
In October, the National Scholarship Providers Association and Fastweb.com recognized CSO as the 2012 Scholarship Provider of the Year for the scholarship’s innovation and impact.
“Scholarship Provider of the Year Award winners demonstrate that scholarships are about more than just providing money for college. It’s about eliminating all barriers to student success,” said Fastweb publisher, Mark Kantrowitz. “I’m First has approached the challenges facing their students with creativity and innovation.”
Two winners are selected for the Scholarship Provider of the Year Award each year. Fastweb has sponsored this prestigious award since its inception thirteen years ago. Each winner receives a monetary award of $2,500 designated for their scholarship fund.
CSO has been awarding the “I’m First” Scholarship for four years and there are now 34 first-generation college student winners contributing to the blog.
In addition to the scholarship and student blog, “I’m First” is building an online community of support for first-generation college students. On http://www.imfirst.org/ first-generation college graduates, and students who will be, can take a pledge and share their personal stories via YouTube to inspire and encourage the next generation of students who will be first.
Coming soon, aspiring first-generation college students will be able to build a profile, research and connect with colleges that care about first-generation college students, and get answers to their questions to help them navigate the path to college.
The application deadline for the “I’m First” Scholarship is May 24, 2013. Students are considered first-generation college if neither parent has earned a four-year college degree. Students eligible to apply must be graduating high school (or home-schooled) seniors in the United States and matriculating to an eligible four-year college or university.
More information: http://www.imfirst.org/ and http://www.imfirst.org/scholarship/ .
About Center for Student Opportunity:
Based in Bethesda, Maryland, Center for Student Opportunity is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization empowering first-generation college students on the path to and through college.
“I’m First” (www.imfirst.org), an initiative of Center for Student Opportunity, is building an online community of support for first-generation college students. In addition to showcasing first-generation college student stories, “I’m First” is helping aspiring first-generation college students find information, support, and scholarships in their pursuit of college.
* Photo Caption: Fastweb Publisher Mark Kantrowitz presents 2012 Scholarship Provider of the Year Award to Center for Student Opportunity Executive Director Matt Rubinoff.
** Costs associated with dissemination of this news announcement were donated to CSO by Neotrope(R).
NEWS SOURCE: Center for Student Opportunity :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. Original source: http://goo.gl/5ZVKx.
