Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship recipient, Ava Rodriguez! To find our more about our previous winners, visit our scholarship winners’ page.

At Custodio & Dubey LLP (CD LAW), we are deeply committed to empowering and supporting the next generation of scholars. We recognize that funding a college degree can be a daunting financial challenge, particularly for individuals who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. To help ease this financial strain, we created our $1,000 first-generation student scholarship to assist first-generation students in achieving their academic dreams.

We are thrilled to launch this inaugural scholarship opportunity for aspiring students nationwide. Through this initiative, our goal is to honor and reward students for their relentless dedication, resilience, and academic drive. Our legal team knows firsthand how profoundly a higher education can transform a person’s future, and we want to inspire students to keep pressing forward on their educational journeys.

This cause is deeply personal to us; our very own Attorney Custodio, partner and co-founder of CD Law, is a proud first-generation student himself. After becoming the first in his family to attend college, Mr. Custodio exceeded all expectations by founding and leading his own practice, the Law Firm of Miguel A. Custodio Jr. We understand firsthand how life-changing it is to break new ground as a first-generation student, and we cannot wait to review your applications and celebrate your incredible milestones. To apply for this scholarship, please complete the form below by the April 30th, 2027 deadline.

Award Amount: $1,000

Eligibility

• Our scholarship is open to first-generation students who are currently enrolled in a two to four year post-secondary institution for the Fall 2027 semester, this includes current high school seniors, vocational students, college students, and graduate students. 
• If you are a high school senior, please attach an acceptance letter if you have not registered yet. 
• To qualify you must be a legal resident of the United States, and currently reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
• Employees of CD Lawyers, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, and spouse), and persons living in the same households of such individuals, are not eligible to participate in the competition. 
• Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good overall academic standing.

Application Requirements

• Candidates must fill out the form below with all necessary information
• Candidates must submit a 750 word essay response to the prompt: 
  • This scholarship is dedicated to students who are the pioneers in their families to pursue a college education. The path to college can be especially challenging for those without the guidance of college-educated parents or siblings, and for those who face financial limitations. Please explain the significance of attending college in your life and what it means to you.
  • Please note that all essays will be checked for AI writing. If AI writing is deemed present in the essay, the application will be denied.
• Candidates must submit a professional resumé that lists their experience, both professional and academic.
• Candidates must submit a transcript from their current school. 
  • First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school, as well as the most recent official transcript from their prior school. 
• High school students must submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.
• Preference will be given to students either from or attending secondary school in the state.

The recipient of the First-Gen Achievers Scholarship will be chosen during the month following the scholarship deadline. For all scholarship-related inquiries, please use the Contact Form at the bottom of this page. We are unable to answer scholarship questions by phone, email, or through any other contact forms listed on this website.