First Generation Program

If you are the first in your family to go to college, our First Gen program provides you with dedicated resources to empower you on the journey. Through peer mentoring, special interest workshops and phased programming for all four years of your undergraduate degree, we build a support system that enables you to rise above obstacles and achieve more than you thought possible.

A group of students pose together with purple shirts that say First Generation.

Who Is a First Generation College Student?

A first generation college student is someone who is the first in their family to graduate from college. If neither of your parents has a 4-year college degree, you are a first generation student.

It’s a name many students embody with pride, and for good reason. Pursuing a university degree is a powerful achievement on its own, a marker of the dedication and commitment that brought you here.

ACU’s First Generation program has no formal membership and is available to any first generation student at ACU, whether you transfer or begin your first year here.

A group of students posing together at a bowling alley.

The First Generation Student Experience

From your first week on campus to graduation, you’ll have the opportunity to attend social events, workshops, and peer mentoring and leadership activities.

Our freshman program is designed to help first generation students build community with students with similar experiences. You’ll be included in events designed specifically for you throughout the semester, such as:

  • Abilene Crawl, an exploration of downtown Abilene
  • First Generation Celebration Week in November
  • Family Weekend First Gen Dinner

Through our Peer Mentor Program, you’ll be connected with an upperclassman who is also a first-generation student. They can help you navigate your first year at ACU.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Students qualify for ACU’s First Gen program based on their parents’ college status. So, if neither of your parents has a college degree, you are considered a first-generation student.

Our program currently only works with residential students. However, you can reach out to your student success advisor or admissions advisor to learn more about the resources available to you as an online student.

It connects college freshmen with a peer mentor who walks alongside them during their first year of college. If you are interested, contact firstgen@acu.edu.

If you are a prospective student, you can reach out to your admissions counselor for information about scholarships and financial aid. If you are a current ACU student, you can reach out to your financial aid counselor.

Connect With Us

If you’d like to learn more about the First Gen program, please reach out at firstgen@acu.edu. We’d love to connect with you.

A portrait of Arianna Mendiola.

Arianna Craft, M.S.

  • Program Coordinator, First Generation

Resources

Looking for more information about admissions or financial aid? Explore these pages to determine your next steps.