Leaving a Legacy to FIU’s First Generation Students

Left to right: Ralph and Mercedes Fernandez with Steven L. Schwartz, Director of Estate and Planned Giving

In 2011 Ralph and Mercedes Fernandez pledged the largest gift to the First Generation Scholarship Fund in FIU's history.

Both cancer survivors, the couple understand adversity. They also understand the hardships faced by students with financial need who want to attend college.

"What we want to achieve is to assist financially those worthy students who otherwise would not have access to education and to develop their potential," said Mercedes.

Approved by the Florida legislature in 2006, the First Generation Scholarship Fund has awarded nearly $3 million to FIU's first generation students since its inception. The couple's generous planned gift is significant given the fact that approximately 40% of FIU undergraduates will be the first generation in their families to obtain a bachelor's degree.

"Mercedes and I have for a long time included in our plans for the future a scholarship fund for... meritorious students who otherwise never graduate or take longer [to do so]. [The] First Generation program aims at the heart of the problem and fits entirely our objectives in that the funds will flow to those who need it most," said Ralph.

In light of the fact that 93% of First Generation Scholarship recipients are minorities, the Fund is a unique opportunity to effect waves of change in the lives of South Florida's multicultural students. The couple's unprecedented support for First Generation Scholarships reflects their commitment to facilitating access to higher education. This transformative gift will leave a legacy that benefits the University as an anchor institution for decades to come.

Create Your Legacy

Join Ralph and Mercedes Fernandez in investing in the future of FIU by making a planned gift to the University. Contact us to get started.