College can be a financial burden and if you are a first-generation college student, the process of applying for college and scholarships can be more of a challenge. Career Communications Group (CCG) is committed to providing resources to underrepresented communities in the hopes of cultivating success. Here are seven scholarships and grants you can apply for right now.

Pell Grant- Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Unlike a loan, Pell Grants do not require repayment. To be eligible for a federal Pell Grant, you must fill out the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) form. Please visit studentaid.gov and fill out a FAFSA form by the deadline of June 30, 2022, for the 2022-2023 school year.

Nina L. Coleman Memorial Scholarship- This scholarship seeks to support low-income students who need financial assistance to fund their college education with a prize of $2,000. The application includes a 400-600- word essay about what success looks like to you and where you see yourself in 20 years. High school and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply by the deadline of June 5, 2022. The winner will be announced July 5, 2022.

Education is Bling: The Moore the Blingyer Scholarship- This scholarship will support the education of Black Ingenious People of Color (BIPOC) undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in social work or human services. To apply, you must be a member of an underrepresented racial minority and actively pursuing your undergraduate or graduate degree in social work or human services. For your application you must write a 400–600-word essay about your long-term career goals, how you support your community, and your vision to impact social change. The deadline is June 15, 2022, and the winner of the $1,000 prize will be announced July 15, 2022.

Women’s History Scholarship- Women face a unique set of obstacles in the workforce and this opportunity aims to assist a female-identifying high school, undergraduate, or graduate student with a $500 prize. The deadline for this scholarship is August 31, 2022. The winner will be announced Sept. 7, 2022.

A Voice for Mental Health and Addiction Awareness Scholarship- This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to any high school or undergraduate student in North Dakota who is battling a mental illness or in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. To enter, please submit a 400-600-word essay about how mental health, drug addiction, or alcohol addiction has affected your life and what you are doing to triumph over your illness by the deadline of June 15, 2022. A winner will be announced July 15, 2022.

Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship- This scholarship is specifically for undergraduate BIPOC women at the University of Texas at Dallas who are pursuing careers in STEM. To apply, please submit a 400-600-word essay about your career goals after college and how you plan to achieve them by the deadline of June 20, 2022. Winners will be announced on July 20, 2022.

NACME Block Grant- NACME is responsible for over $3 million in scholarships awarded annually to underrepresented minority students. According to their website, NACME expects to support approximately 1,000 underrepresented minority engineering and computer students annually. To be eligible for any of the NACME administered scholarships, students must either be a high school senior applying to an engineering or computer science program at a NACME Partner Institution or be currently enrolled in an engineering or computer science program at a NACME Partner Institution. You must also be a US citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The Block Grant will award $2,500 to one minority student. Please visit the NACME website and submit your application by Sept. 15, 2022.