The Â鶹¸£Àû First-Gen Guarantee

First-Generation Students

Â鶹¸£Àû is committed to providing access, opportunity, and personal support to first-generation students

First-generation students make up 22% of our student body. Seventy six first-generation faculty and staff provide support to all students.

Â鶹¸£Àû is proud to provide extensive financial and personal support to all our first-generation students. So proud that incoming first-generation students are guaranteed one of the following:

More in First-Generation Students

Large group of students standing in front of Old Â鶹¸£Àûwith matching fleece jackets with Grissom student logo

Four-Year Scholarship

Grissom Scholars Program

Â鶹¸£Àû’s commitment to opportunity and an excellent liberal arts and sciences education is deeply reflected in the Grissom Scholars Program, one of the College’s premier scholarships. Available to first-year applicants, each year the program offers ten high achieving, first-generation, high financial need, college students a full scholarship and $5,000 in educational enrichment funds. Grissom scholars and alumni represent 23 states.

A tree with spring leaves and flowers in front of Crounse Hall at Â鶹¸£Àû

Four-Year Mentored Cohort

Kessler Scholars Program

Delivering on its commitment to ensure educational access and achievement for first-generation students, Â鶹¸£Àû partners with the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, a program that connects high-achieving first-generation students with individualized support and cohort-based programming designed to foster academic, professional and personal growth.

Supplemental Funding

Thrive Enrichment Funds

A $10 million gift from Mr. & Mrs. J. David and Marlene Grissom, provides access to study abroad, internships and other educational opportunities for first-generation students. Â鶹¸£Àûprovides incoming first-generation students with $5,000 in enrichment funding in addition to their generous financial aid packages.

First-Generation Office

Speak with dedicated staff who are working hard every day to support first-generation students at Â鶹¸£Àû. On campus, visit the First-Generation Office on the second floor of the Combs Center to meet with staff.