Centers/On-line Hubs Re: First Generation College Students

These organizations all support first generation low-income college students. Their websites offer information about and links to grants and financial support, jobs and internships, leadership programs, books and current research, mentoring and networking opportunities.

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• Center for First Generation Student Success

• First Gen NonProfits: Nonprofits supporting low-income and/or first generation students

• Rise First

• Hope Center for College, Community and Justice

• I’m First: An Initiative of Strive for College

• CareerSpring

 

Stats about First Generation Students

The following website offers information about first gen college students based on surveys with thousands of students across the country. Topics include: educational inspiration, money matters and separation of school and home.

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• First Generation College Students: Exploring the Challenges They Face

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Blogs & Personal Stories About Being First Generation

You are not alone! These first hand stories highlight some of the unique experiences of FGLI students, including advice and inspiration on a range of topics, including the navigating college through the COVID19 pandemic.

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• What is a First Generation College Student?

• What I Wish I’d Known as a First Gen College Student

• What I Remember About Orientation as a Low-Income, First-Generation Student

• First Generation College Students: Exploring the Challenges They Face

• More Pandemic Consequences for Underrepresented Students

• First in the Family: Your College Years

 

TED Talks on First Generation Experience

These are links to just a few TED Talks - influential videos from expert speakers on education, business, science, tech and creativity - that are relevant to the first generation experience.

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• What I have learned as a first-generation college student

• LEGACY: First Generation Perspective

• Finding an Identity as a First-Generation Immigrant

 

Covid Advice/Resources

COVID19 impacts us in so many ways - from food and housing insecurity, isolation, learning on-line, physical and mental health issues. Here are some websites that offer support.

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• COVID19 Blog: FGLI Covid19 Stores

• BEYOND THE FOOD PANTRY: Supporting #RealCollege Students with Caring Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Practices During COVID-19

• Gather Food Hall

• Resources for Students Impacted by Coronavirus Online Classes

• Rise First: COVID19 Relief for Students

• Campus Philly Resource Guide

• Center for First Gen: Impact of COVID19 on First Generation Students

 

Mental Health

Calm Clarity was founded by Due Quach, who is also the co-founder of CSN. This website offers a wealth of information on trauma, healing, meditation, and mental health, including a link to an Inclusive Mental Health Resources Guide.

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• Calm Clarity

 

College Access Programs

This website offers links to a broad range of college access programs in the Philadelphia area. While it is primarily geared towards high school students (so you can help family and friends) it also suggests a number of organizations you might want to volunteer for or do an internship or co-op at.

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• Links to College Access Programs in Philadelphia-area

 

Books on First Generation Experience

Here are just some of the growing body of books written by and about first gen college students. Please let us know if you’ve read books we should include on this list!

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• Every Student Has a Story: Personal Narratives from First-Generation College Students

• 50 Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me About College: Straight Talk for First Generation College Students FROM First Generation College Graduates

• First-Generation College Student Guide

• First-Generation College Student Experiences of Intersecting Marginalities

• First in the Family: Your College Years: Advice About College from First Generation Students

• The Journey Before Us: First-Generation Pathways from Middle School to College 

• Giants Among Us: First Generation College Students Who Live Activist Lives

• Dealing with this Thing Called College: Stories to Help You Success in Undergrad

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