Resources for First-Generation Longhorns
Attending college is, for many students, their first time away from family. But living on your own doesn’t mean that you’re alone.
The University of Texas at Austin is home to many different campus and academic programs, centers, student organizations, learning opportunities and resources that can help new Longhorns connect with their peers, succeed in their schoolwork, and lead safe and healthy lives!
First-Gen Longhorn Resources
First-Gen Longhorns creates a campus community for first-gen students through a comprehensive layering of academic, social and professional experiences, workshops, resources, and events.
Located in the Student Services Building (SSB 3.200), First-Gen Longhorns hosts numerous workshops and events each semester.
Students may book an appointment with First-Gen Longhorns staff members for assistance or guidance with any academic or non-academic need they encounter on campus.
Some students are recruited for the First-Gen Transition and Success Coaching program, which pair participants with a first-gen student mentor for their freshman year. This opportunity is generally limited to first-gen students who do not belong to any other success program on campus.
First-Generation Living Learning Community
Interested in being housed with fellow first-gen students? The First-Generation Living Learning Community (LLC) is located in Jester West and provides first-year Longhorns access to a network of first-gen peers, faculty and staff so they can better academically and socially integrate to the university environment. Participants gain access to exclusive workshops, faculty and alumni panels, Austin field trips, and more.
Funding Your Education
UT offers over 3,000 scholarships to current and incoming students, including scholarships specifically for first-gen students. Complete your application for admission, then make sure to fill out the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid’s scholarship interest form on MyStatus by December 7 and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
Continuing and transfer students should submit the Continuing and Transfer Scholarship Application by March 15 for consideration.
Have your sights set on studying abroad? First-gen undergraduates are encouraged to apply for the Texas Global First Abroad Scholarship by December 1 of their freshman year. This one-time scholarship awards 25 students with $3,000 to fund a credit-bearing or experiential learning opportunity abroad. Longhorns of any academic year may apply for the Gilman International Scholarship Program in October, which provides students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad (including but not limited to first-gen students) with financial support as they study languages and intern in diverse world regions.
Seeking Campus Support and Community
Whether you’re hoping to connect with fellow students or mentors, get some guidance on a class project, or find Longhorns who share your identities, there is a program, resource or organization to make the Forty Acres feel more like home.
Academic advisors are the experts regarding which classes you need to take to complete your degree. Find your academic advisor by visiting your college or school’s specific website.
The Sanger Learning Center provides free academic support for all UT students including tutoring, academic workshops, math refreshers and exam reviews.
Disability and Access (D&A) ensures students with disabilities have equal access to their academic experiences at UT by providing accommodations and engaging in outreach to make campus a more inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment.
The DCC serves as a hub on campus for community, education and advocacy for disabled students, faculty, staff and all members of the university community. The DCC encourages interpersonal connection and collaborative learning toward more equitable spaces for disabled people in collaboration with other DDCE/UT departments.
All UT students may ride CapMetro buses and trains for free with their student ID and Parking and Transportation Services provides information about student parking, battery and locked car assistance.
The mission of the Women’s Community Center (WCC) is to be a place for Longhorns of all genders to connect, find resources, and get support around experiences of intersectionality, community, and gender solidarity.
UT is home to around 60 social sororities and fraternities, each one a member of one of six governing councils or the Affiliate Leadership Circle. These organizations aim to promote leadership, academic success and philanthropy, build strong bonds of siblinghood, and develop a diverse and inclusive community.
Want to get involved? Explore 1,300+ events, organizations, and news stories on Hornslink—and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, start your own organization!
UT Outpost is the on-campus food pantry and career closet for all currently enrolled UT students. UT Outpost provides free, nutritious food and offers every Longhorn no-cost access to professional clothes for job fairs, internship, and interviews.
The University Writing Center helps Longhorns transition to college-level writing through presentations, writing groups and one-on-one consultations.
Texas Career Engagement (TCE) provides campus-wide career resources, programming, and services to help students make decisions about their future, from major to career.
The Strive Grad Prep Academy (Strive GPA) is a postgraduate education support program designed to widen the pathways to graduate and professional school, including MA, Ph.D., J.D., M.D., for students across campus, especially students who are first-generation college students and/or Pell-eligible. Strive GPA offers participants a wealth of resources and services, including no-cost test prep courses provided in partnership with Kaplan.
Attention, Parents!
Check out parents.utexas.edu for parent-focused resources and take advantage of the free Texas Parents U-Touch Membership, which gives you access to monthly Texas Parents Association newsletters and occasional updates from university leadership.
Staying Safe and Healthy
University Health Services (UHS) offers a wide range of services including general medicine, women’s health, urgent care, immunizations, nutrition services, physical therapy, sports medicine, STI testing, travel health resources and more. Students do not need health insurance to use UHS, and most office visits cost $10.
Sign up for Office of Campus Safety text updates to make sure you’re informed in case of an emergency event.
UT Night Rides offer Longhorns safe transportation home if they are leaving the Forty Acres late at night. The service provides free Lyft rides away from main campus to several designated student living areas seven days a week, from midnight to 4 a.m.
The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) provides counseling, psychiatric, consultation and prevention services to help students enhance their personal growth and well-being and achieve their academic and life goals. Students can request to see a counselor who specializes in counseling first-generation students! For peer-led support, check out the Longhorn SHARE Project.
Sure Walk provides free accompaniment for students who are on campus late and have concerns about getting home safely.
UTPD has a free mobile app called LiveSafe, giving our UT community and guests immediate access to police dispatch via the communication tool most frequently used — text. UTPD hopes the app will encourage users to engage and share important, potentially life-saving information, to prevent crime and enable better incident response
FAQs
First-generation college students are students whose parents or guardians have not had the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree in the United States. Many students whose parents have degrees from outside of the U.S. also identify as first-gen.
Ultimately, you decide if you are first-gen!
Unfortunately, you are not able to update your admissions information. However, that does not impede you from taking part of any first-gen specific events or resources!
UT offers five scholarships specifically for first-gen students, but there are not applications for those individual awards.
To be considered for the first-gen scholarships (and additional UT financial aid) as an incoming freshman, complete your application for admission, then fill out the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid’s scholarship interest form on MyStatus by December 7 and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
Continuing and transfer students should submit the Continuing and Transfer Scholarship Application by March 15 for consideration.
First-gen undergraduates interested in studying abroad are encouraged to apply for the Texas Global First Abroad Scholarship by December 1 of their freshman year. This one-time scholarship awards 25 students with $3,000 to fund a credit-bearing or experiential learning opportunity abroad. Longhorns of any academic year may apply for the Gilman International Scholarship Program, which provides students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad (including but not limited to first-gen students) with financial support as they study languages and intern in diverse world regions.
You can receive a free first-gen graduation stole by registering to attend our annual First-Gen Grad event. Once you have RSVPed, you will receive instructions about when and where to pick up your stole. You can use the RSVP form if you would like a stole, even if you will not be able to attend First-Gen Grad.