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Students who are the first in their families to attend college will receive a generous financial boost from The Coca-Cola Foundation. The Coca-Cola First-Generation Last Mile Scholarship will provide 10 first-generation students at Central Washington University with significant financial support—$5,000 per year for two years—during their junior and senior years.

“We estimate that more than 15 to 20 percent of our first-year and transfer students are the first in their families to attend college,” said Scott Wade, vice president of CWU University Advancement and executive director of the CWU Foundation. “The Coca-Cola Company has an outstanding reputation for supporting educational opportunities for first-generation students in the United States.”

By providing more than half of average tuition and fees for the year, the Last Mile scholarships will allow students to focus on their studies instead of spending excessive time at a job to pay for their education. The purpose is for students to graduate on time with the academic standing necessary to successfully compete in graduate programs or pursue a career.

To apply for the scholarship, students need to contact the CWU Scholarship Office at www.cwu.edu/scholarships/Coca-ColaFirstGen. The deadline to apply for the 2015-2016 school year is October 15, 2015.

Qualified applicants are:
• First-generation students (students who are the first in their immediate families to attend college)
• Students who are either returning or transferring to CWU as juniors in fall quarter 2015
• Full-time students with a GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Students with demonstrated financial need

Students enrolled in Ellensburg or any of the seven CWU university centers are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

Students will receive $5,000 for the first year. If they maintain a 3.0 grade point average and make satisfactory progress towards their degree, they’ll receive the second $5,000 for their senior year.

The overall purpose of the scholarships is to increase the retention and graduation rates of the scholarship recipients. It is expected that the retention rate for scholarship holders will be 90 to 100 percent from junior to senior year and that at least 80 percent of the 2015 scholarship recipients will graduate in 2017.

“We’re excited that one of the most recognized companies in the world is partnering with us to help our students,” enthused Wade. “We hope we will be working with them for many years.”

Since 1993, The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship (CCFG) program has supported students who are the first in their immediate family to attend college or university.  Since its inception, over $39 million in scholarships has been awarded to over 3,200 students on more than 450 campuses throughout the United States.  

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu