First-Generation Students

If you are a First-Generation Bulldog, welcome! You’re “First at the First” and we are excited to celebrate and support you!

Role models, mentors, and supporters are essential to the success of first-generation college students.

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First-generation college students are defined as those students who come from families where their parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree. The Office for Student Success and Achievement (OSSA) is committed to supporting the success of first-generation students as they transition into and proceed through the University of Georgia. First-Gen bulldogs bring diverse perspectives and experiences to campus. They may also face unique challenges because they have not had parents who have completed a bachelor’s degree before.

OSSA works with a variety of campus partners to help support the success of first-generation college students. With campus partners, we plan events each year on November 8th in honor of the National First-Generation College Celebration day. In fact, we are so excited to celebrate our first-generation college students, we celebrate for a whole week and host -first-generation specific events throughout the year!

Check out these photos from last year’s Photovoice winners. Each first-gen bulldog submitted a photo that best showcased what it means to be “First at the First.”

RESOURCES

If you are a first-generation student at the University of Georgia, there are several resources for you. OSSA has a handbook resource (PDF) for first-generation families that can be picked up at Milledge Hall. This handbook features translations available in Spanish, Korean, and Chinese for students’ families and supporters. Stay tuned to this site as it is currently under construction. We are constantly adding resources and information specific to your journey and success!

The University of Georgia is a proud Network Institution and FirstGen Forward member with NASPA since 2019. This designation recognizes institutions of higher education committed to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.

If you have questions about these resources, please contact Amy Warrington at [email protected] or 706-583-0724.

Read below for more ways you can get involved.

First-Generation Celebration Week

It’s Sweet to be 1st at the First!

Monday, November 4th
First Gen Finances
4:00 – 5:00 PM, MLC 368
Join us for our financial literacy and wellness workshop just for first-gen students!

Wednesday, November 6th
First-Gen Flourish
1:00 – 3:0 PM, Milledge Hall Lawn
Decorate your own flowerpot, plant seeds, and learn how to flourish and grow! Hot cocoa will be provided.

Thursday, November 7th
Tutoring, Coaching, and Candy
1:00 – 3:00 PM, Milledge Hall
Come to Milledge Hall to learn about tutoring and academic coaching with a sweet treat!

Friday, November 8th
College Survival 101 Brunch
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, The Intersection – Tate
Join us for brunch and learn tips and tricks on how to navigate college as a first-gen student.

Sweet to be 1st at the First
12:00 – 3:00 PM, Milledge Hall Lawn
Grab a dessert and t-shirt while we celebrate National First-Generation Celebration Day!

Saturday, November 16th
First-Gen Tailgate
Time TBD, Behind Milledge Hall
Network with alumni and cheer on the Dawgs over sandwiches and sweets at our first-gen tailgate!

Alpha Alpha Alpha

Tri Alpha logo Join the University of Georgia’s first-generation honor society! For more information on Alpha Alpha Alpha, please email [email protected].

Undergraduate Students

Students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria:

The student has earned at least 30 credit/semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) towards an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree (including half-time).
The undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
Neither of the student’s parents, nor step-parents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor’s degree.

Apply Here

Graduate Students

Graduate students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria:

Graduate students who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed the equivalent of at least one term of study (9 or more graduate credits) and have a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5.

Apply Here

Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria:

To qualify, they must have met the definition of a first-generation student listed above at the time they completed their bachelor’s degree. Faculty and staff must be willing to serve as mentors for first-generation students.

Apply Here