Previous Association Partners $10K Grant Winners Spotlight

2022 Winner

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)

Last year's grant was awarded to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), an association committed to supporting First Generation college students on their journey to be the first in their families to complete a college degree. They awarded the funds to four students, each receiving $2500. In addition to the financial support, NSCS has provided guidance through its NSCS Peer Mentoring Program. They have paired the winners, Christina, Amie, Jonathan and Madelyn, with former First-Generation Alumni members who previously received First-Gen scholarships to serve as a resource and offer support.

As a first-generation student, this scholarship truly means the world to me and inspires me to keep working toward my goals. Thank you so much to NSCS and Gallagher Affinity for helping me bring my dream to life!

Christina Barlas

University of Maryland Global Campus

I'm honored to be receiving this scholarship from NSCS! It means so much to me that the organization recognizes the unique challenges of being a first-generation college student and is giving opportunities like this out. Thank you so much NSCS!

Amie Costello

University of Wisconsin Eau Claire

Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me. I think I have worked hard all year in order to receive this and it will benefit greatly from financial aid. I plan on majoring in business and marketing in college. Some of my goals are meeting new people, networking, and starting my own business. I would like to thank my parents for staying on me and showing me the right way.

Jonathan Cruz

Old Dominion University

This scholarship means that I am ensuring I become the first in my family. It means I am breaking the cycle that no one else could in the family. This scholarship will help me because I pay for school all by myself and anything helps. I have taken out loans and worked a part-time job as well as being a full-time student and trying to get involved. This scholarship will help me prove to my third-grade teacher, that told me that I would be a high school dropout and never even go to college, that I am proving the haters wrong.

Madelyn Huizar

Ferris State University

2021 Winner

The American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) earned the inaugural grant. AMSA is an association committed to supporting, informing and inspiring tomorrow’s physicians. They used the award to develop their mobile/texting communication system to enhance member participation and engagement, thus forming immediate relationships that will last through members’ academic careers and professional lives.