Impact In Action
First Generation Award Scholarship Program
At Colorado State University, students matter most. They keep our traditions alive, define our culture, and give us hope that the world of tomorrow will be safe and secure in their hands. They inspire us with their sacrifices and reignite our passions. Students make CSU better because when they succeed we succeed. There is no better example of this than our first-generation students.
Today, one in four CSU students are first generation, meaning they are the first in their immediate family to attend college. Since 1984 the First Generation Program has provided more than $20 million to 2,500 eligible students. The program was first in the nation and has become a model for universities across the country.
For first-generation students, getting to CSU is just the start. A gift to the First Generation Award Legacy Scholarship helps fulfill the Colorado State experience for these students and sets the stage for higher earnings, more job opportunities, and a landmark moment in their story.
By giving to this scholarship and program you’re not only helping CSU fulfill its land grant mission, you’re telling first-generation students they belong here and they matter.

How You Can Help
First Generation Program
Help first-generation college students who have significant financial need.
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Support Student Diversity Initiatives
Student diversity initiatives foster a campus community with a wide range of programs and services for a diverse student body.
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Rams Against Hunger
Help food-insecure students find the support they need to become healthier and thrive.
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Parents Fund
Join parents and families to impact the greatest needs in Student Affairs, including mental health and well-being, Ram Ride, the Career Center, and Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement.
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MyState Scholarship
The MyState Scholarship allows CSU to continue to attract and retain the highest-caliber students by sustaining their educations with scholarships. Established to meet the financial needs of exceptional low-middle income students ineligible for Pell Grants, the MyState Scholarship awards academically strong students.
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Ram Aid
Your gift to the Ram Aid fund builds on the University’s student-success initiatives by helping to ensure those most vulnerable can receive immediate support at a time when they are least able to pay.
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Contact us for more ways to support Student Success.
(970) 491-1895 | support@colostate.edu
The Power of Philanthropy
Making a Bigger Difference to First-Generation Students
November 2, 2022
The academic success of limited income, racially minoritized, and first-generation students is a top priority for the University, and the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative or COSI provides a matching gift opportunity making a four-year degree more accessible and affordable for deserving students.
Walter Scott’s foundation expands Scott Scholars Program
November 16, 2021
Earlier this year – in what would prove to be one of his final acts with CSU – Scott chose to expand the existing Scott Scholars Program for Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering undergraduate students, committing through his foundation an additional $11.4 million toward the program over the next 10 years.
A Catalyst for Change: Remembering Walter Scott, Jr.
October 6, 2021
On Sept. 25, 2021, Colorado State University lost a giant in the Ram community — Walter Scott, Jr. Through his unrelenting support and philanthropy to his alma mater, Mr. Scott helped propel CSU to new heights.