First-Generation Scholarship

Since its founding in 1948, Fisher has enrolled a high percentage of first-generation college students. In the fall of 2023, Fisher welcomes its 25th cohort of the First-Generation Scholars Program.

About the Fannie and Sam Constantino First-Generation Scholarship

The Constantino Family welcomes students to the First-Generation Scholars Program at Fisher.

The Constantino Family welcomes students to the First-Generation Scholars Program at Fisher.

Each year, the Fannie and Sam Constantino First-Generation Scholarship is given to 24 qualified high school students who exhibit a high degree of motivation and academic potential, and whose parent(s) or guardian did not graduate from a postsecondary institution.

Selected students come to campus with a passion for civic and community engagement, develop as leaders, and cultivate a practice of impactful engagement with the community. The scholarship award reduces tuition and room and board fees by one-half, for up to four years, in exchange for full participation in programming each semester. 

Scholarship Criteria

Interested students must apply to the First-Generation Scholars Program and meet the following criteria:

  • Be the first generation in their family to attend college.*
  • Have demonstrated a high degree of motivation and academic success throughout high school.
  • Have demonstrated commitment to leadership and community engagement through service activities with community organizations such as school, neighborhood, nonprofit agencies, or places of worship.
  • Be a high school senior planning to enter Fisher directly after graduating.

*Applicant's parent(s) or guardian did not graduate from a two-year or four-year college or university. Siblings' attendance or graduation from a college program is permitted.

Note: Regular admission standards typically include a high school GPA of B/B+ and a strong high school curriculum.
Students applying for HEOP are not eligible for the First-Generation Scholarship.

Program Requirements

To maintain good standing within the First-Generation Scholars Program and receive all benefits of the scholarship, students must successfully:

  • Engage in full-time study as a matriculated student.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of degree requirements.
  • Complete the two-course learning community during the fall semester of their first year.
  • Complete the weekly Community Engagement Seminar series during the first year of enrollment.
  • Complete all successive courses and seminars the Program offers.
  • As a sophomore, junior, and senior, meet program hour requirements and fulfill a commitment to weekly community engagement with a local nonprofit organization during each year of enrollment at the University.

Benefits of the First-Generation Scholars Program

First-Generation Scholarship recipients enjoy training and seminars to support them on their journey.

First-Generation Scholarship recipients enjoy training and seminars to support them on their journey.

The first-year program of coursework and advising at Fisher is ideally suited to meet the needs of first-generation students. Fisher offers Scholars access to an outstanding faculty and staff who empower students to discover their natural abilities and develop their minds. Other benefits include:

  • Seminars to empower Scholars as leaders and engaged citizens.
  • Training to prepare Scholars for thoughtful, empathetic, and culturally responsive participation in community engagement activities.
  • Support to build critical thinking skills throughout the experience.

Partnering with the Greater Rochester Community

Community Engagement Experiences

Through the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement's partnerships with local nonprofits, sophomore, junior, and senior Scholars have the opportunity to support the greater Rochester community. Community engagement experiences provide academic enrichment and preparation for career and leadership. Specific information about community engagement hours is provided by the Associate Director of the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement.

Fisher-Sponsored Transportation to Civic Engagement Sites

Scholars should find their own transportation to off-campus programs and civic engagement sites. St. John Fisher University will endeavor to provide transportation to off-campus programs for Scholars who live on campus (subject to availability, budgeting limits, and other transportation demands). Fisher has no liability for any transportation method used by any student, other than transportation on official Fisher vehicles. Please plan accordingly.