Support for First-Generation Transfer Students

A $943,000 gift from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation will provide scholarships and support services for FAU’s first-generation transfer students. When combined with state and private matching funds, the gift will have a total impact of $3.3 million over four years.

“We are grateful to the Johnson Scholarship Foundation for recognizing FAU’s efforts to expand opportunities for the more than 1,000 first-generation students admitted each year,” FAU President John Kelly said. “This generous gift will support our ongoing work to meet the needs of first-generation transfer students, and we look forward to welcoming the first cohort of Johnson Transfer Scholars in fall 2022.”

The Johnson Transfer Scholars Program at FAU aims to improve the retention, matriculation, graduation and career readiness of first-generation transfer students. Transfer students will be immersed in a culture of first-generation-specific community-based programming and high-touch academic and success coaching. Targeted career readiness programs will help to increase their employability upon graduation.

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation has long invested in student success. Prior to this grant, the foundation supported the Office of First-Generation Student Success and provided scholarships for students with disabilities. In 2020, it provided funding for student laptops in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We at Johnson Scholarship Foundation believe it’s important not only to open the doors to education, but to provide the support necessary for students to graduate and become successful in the workforce,” said Robert A. Krause, CEO of Johnson Scholarship Foundation. “The Johnson Transfer Scholars Program contains all the elements to nurture the students to that success, and we’re proud to partner with FAU on this program.”