The Suder Foundation is providing seed money to support the operations of the First Scholars Program through 2013-14 plus scholarship funding for the first 40 student participants ($5,000 per year for 4-years per student). However, there is a great need for additional scholarship support for first generation students at UK. We would like to invite you to consider a gift/pledge to meet this important need. This past year there were more than 200 eligible applicants competing for 20 scholarships in the First Scholar Program. Donors that designate their scholarship support for the First Scholar Program will not only help meet the financial needs of future UK first generation students, but the student that receives the scholarship will also have the opportunity to participate in the First Scholar Program.

A one-time gift/pledge of $25,000 ($20,000 payable over 4-years) will support a student with a $5,000 scholarship per year for 4 years. The additional $5,000 ($1,250 per year) will support the ongoing needs of the First Scholar Program at UK. To make a pledge, click here.

To ensure your gift lasts a lifetime, a gift/pledge of $125,000 will endow a first generation scholarship. Both of these gift opportunities can be named for the donor. Please consider helping our Commonwealth become a more educated state and support Kentucky students become the first person in their family to graduate from college.

Other ways you can support First Scholars include:

• Volunteer to be a speaker at a First Scholar event or share your 1G story for the video project.

• Serve as a "host family" to provide mentorship to a first generation scholar.

• Consider making a planned gift for the First Scholar Program.

To find our more information about any or all of these initiatives, please contact Jan Swauger, Office of Development, jswaug@uky.edu or 859-323-6570.