Participating in First Scholars™ includes a four-year renewable scholarships of $5,000 each to incoming first-time, full-time freshmen whose parents did not attend college. If that description fits your background, you may be eligible for this program.

To receive a scholarship from us, you must:

• Be a first-generation student, which means that your parents have no education beyond high school.
• Be an incoming first-time, full-time freshman.
• Apply, and be admitted to the University of Memphis.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Perform in the mid-range of the university's admission standards (minimum ACT score of 19 and/or minimum 3.0 GPA).
• Be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen and be eligible for in-state student tuition.
• Intend to live on campus and apply for campus housing by the required dates.
• Apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadline set by the university.
• Complete the Student Strengths InventoryTM, a non-academic assessment of your potential for success.
• Be willing to fully participate in the First Scholars program and activities.

First Scholars will be selected based on our eligibility criteria and the results of the SSI. If you're selected, First Scholars will provide you with opportunities to maximize your success in college and help you create an individualized plan to guide you.

Renewal

As a First Scholar you will be granted up to three additional one-year scholarships toward your undergraduate studies, provided you meet the following criteria:

• Maintain full-time student status (as defined by the U of M).*
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Demonstrate satisfactory academic progress.
• Demonstrate your commitment and full involvement in developing and following your individualized strategic plan, including participation in all required activities.
• Live on campus or outside the family home after the freshman year
• Complete your Pay-It-Forward requirement for the academic year.

* Although most universities consider students who are taking 12 credit hours per semester to have full•time status, taking 12 credits per semester does not keep you on pace to graduate in four years. Please keep in mind that this scholarship covers four years. In order to stay on track to graduate in four years, you should aim to earn an average of 30 credits per year. Consult your advisor to verify the exact number of credit hours needed to earn your particular degree.