Changing First-Gen Futures

Empowering students, mentors, and educators with tools, stories, and impact.

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CREATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS

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CREATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS .

Mission

To empower first-generation students with financial literacy, scholarship access, and mentorship—so they can confidently build their future.

Vision

A world where every first-generation student graduates equipped with the financial skills, opportunities, and support needed for lifelong success.

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Founder’s Journey

I am Dr. Charmaine Troy, a three-time first-generation college graduate, educator, and founder of FirstGenTalks. Growing up, I watched my parents work hard, but struggle to navigate finances. Scholarships felt like a mystery and budgeting was never taught to me before entering college. In college, I learned how to manage money, apply for grants, and build a network that changed my life. Those lessons inspired me to create FirstGenTalks, a tech-enabled platform designed to empower first-generation students and families through financial literacy, mentorship, and access to opportunity. Today, I lead our team in building tools and guidance that I wish I had from day one.

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Who We Serve

  • Students

    First-generation students who need help with budgeting, finding scholarships, understanding finances, and building confidence.

  • Coaches & Mentors

    Passionate individuals who want to share experience, guide students, provide accountability, and help unlock opportunities.

  • Administrators

    Organizational leaders (schools, nonprofits, universities) who want to incorporate financial literacy, run workshops, or manage scholarship programs.

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Impact Stats

A snapshot of the lives we are preparing to touch and the opportunities we’re building.

  • 500+ students and families reached through pilot programs by the end of 2026

  • $250K+ in scholarships and grants matched through the GrantMatchED engine

  • 3,000+ app interactions projected during the first full year of launch

  • 90% of students expected to report increased confidence managing money and applying for aid

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