Benefits of Participating
FIRST Robotics Competition Scholarships
One of the highlights of the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) or FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) season is when a student is awarded a FIRST scholarship. This is an official recognition of the knowledge and technical and life skills they have gained from participating in a FIRST competition. FIRST scholarships enable students to pursue majors and careers in
engineering, computer science, electronics, animation, digital design, aeronautics, and many other technological fields.
When the FIRST scholarship program began in 1996, students competed for one scholarship offering from long-time supporter, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Each year since, FIRST scholarships have increased. In 2006, 59 colleges and universities from the United States and Canada, three professional associations, and three companies offered nearly $8 million in scholarships to 345 FIRST Robotics Competition students.
For more scholarship information please visit the FIRST website .
FIRST Robotics Competition Awards
FIRST recognizes both on-field performance and the attributes that help FIRST achieve its mission to change culture. While a few awards are based solely for on-field performance, the judges determine the majority of the awards. The highest honor is the Chairman's Award, which recognizes the team that best accomplishes the FIRST mission to change the culture of the U.S. It is bestowed to one team at each regional. The Chairman's Award winner for the Championship event is selected from the regional Chairman's Award winners.
The awards FIRST judges bestow are a combination of awards based on the machine,
creativity and innovation, and team performance. These awards are designed to help FIRST achieve its mission of demonstrating that science and technology can be enjoyable and rewarding. The judges select teams to win awards at each of the regional competitions and at The Championship. Other awards are selected by the teams themselves, Safety Advisors and outside panels of experts.
For a listing and description of awards given to teams at Regional events, please go to Regional Awards.
For a listing and description of the awards given at the Championship, please go to Championship Awards.
