FirstBank grants 26 scholarships as part of its YOU First College Program
FirstBank has reinforced its commitment to supporting Puerto Rican youth’s education through the YOU First College Program by awarding 26 scholarships to students from six local universities.
Through the YOU First College Program, the financial institution provides funds to support high-performing students from low-income families by providing scholarships, internships, entrepreneurship and financial education studies, and diverse personal and professional development opportunities.
During a scholarship award ceremony at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, FirstBank announced plans to distribute $70,000 in scholarships in 2024 to further aid university students on the island.
“Through our You First Scholarship Program, we’re not only recognizing the ability of college students to do their best, but also encouraging them and helping them achieve their academic goals and professional dreams,” emphasized Ginoris López-Lay, executive vice president of Strategic Management and Development at FirstBank.
“At FirstBank, we not only recognize individual achievements, but also highlight the fundamental importance of education for the island’s economic development, and for each generation,” she said.
The YOU First Scholarship Program collaborates with several institutions, including the Pontifical Catholic University, Ana G. Méndez University System, Inter American University of Puerto Rico (Metro, Bayamón and San Germán campuses), Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, University of Puerto Rico (Arecibo, Río Piedras and Mayagüez campuses), and Sacred Heart University.
In addition to scholarships, the program includes annual internships that provide students from various disciplines the opportunity to work at FirstBank, with access to the 1Éxito Universitarios initiative, which offers training in entrepreneurship, finance, leadership and other topics.
providing corporate attire for job interviews located at UPR’s School of Business Administration, Río Piedras campus.
The program also offers the YOU First College Tour, an initiative where universities are visited to promote financial literacy through FirstBank’s products and services, complemented by YOU First Study Spaces at Inter American University’s San Germán and Bayamón campuses, and the Ponce campus of the Pontifical Catholic University, fostering community engagement among students.
