F1RST Program

Contact us

Email: coaching@tamug.edu 
Phone: (409) 741-4343

Zoom: AskAgs Help Desk
Mon - Thurs: 9am-5pm

As a first-generation student, we know it takes a community to support, encourage and guide you through the unknowns to come in the next few years. The mission of the F1RST Program is to serve first-generation college students in the transition to and through the university. All first-generation, undergraduate students are invited to join the F1RST Learning Community which provides a broad array of resources and opportunities to learn about, and engage with, the institution. This includes a weekly small-group community meeting, targeted lessons to guide student development, special events, and unique access to staff and faculty support. F1RST students also benefit from consistent peer mentorship from upper-class students who are able to uniquely guide and support them as they transition to college. These students are trained, prepared and excited to help you successfully navigate college as a F1RST student. 

Some F1RST students additionally qualify for a F1RST Grant, dependent on financial need and Texas residency. See below for additional details on the F1RST Grant. Participation in the F1RST Program is not contingent upon grant eligibility; you are still fully eligible to participate in F1RST regardless of grant awarding

There are many ways to define first-generation. The definition that our campus officially uses to determine first-generation status is that first-generation students are the first in their family to attend college meaning  that neither parent has completed a bachelor’s degree.

F1RST Program participants have the opportunity for limited financial support in addition to the academic and social support provided. Here are some important details regarding the F1RST Grant

F1RST Funding

• This is a four (4) year, renewable award up to $20,000
• Pays in eight (8) stipends of up to $2,500 each term ($5,000 per year) for four (4) years
• Final eligibility for this funding will be determined based on the FAFSA (or TASFA); you must submit your FAFSA (or TASFA) and any additional documentation requested in order to be considered for this funding. 
• Students requiring financial aid verification must fully complete that process prior to consideration for this award

Grant Eligibility

• F1RST Scholarship Grant is based upon financial need and funding availability. Funding is limited and will be awarded to those demonstrating eligibility on a rolling basis.
  • A total family income of $50,000 or below is required
  • Prompt completion of the FAFSA (or TASFA) and confirmation steps are strongly encouraged. You must complete the FAFSA (or TASFA) by April 15, 2021 to be considered for this award.
• To be eligible for the F1RST grant, you must additionally:
  • Be a first-generation college student (neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree)
  • Be a Texas resident
• Students who receive the F1RST grant are required to participate in a living learning community during their first year at TAMUG and will reside in a designated residence hall area. 
• To be eligible for continuation of the F1RST grant, you must:
  • Enroll full-time - 12 credit hours
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress 
  • Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the university
  • Successfully complete program requirements
  • Continue to demonstrate financial eligibility through the FAFSA/TASFA annually 

How to support your first-generation student

As a family member, sibling, friend or professor you may be unsure of the support your first-generation student is needing as they start and continue their journey through college. Below are a few tips to help you in supporting the first-generation students you may know:

• Offer words of engagement regularly. College brings not only academic stress, but the stress of becoming an individual. As a first-generation student, this can be added to the pressure of succeeding for not only themselves, but their family as being the first to make this journey to and through college. 

• Pursuing higher education does not mean that students will lose the values they were raised with. In fact, these values will help them persist towards their personal and professional goals.

• Remind your F1RST student that they belong. A strong sense of belonging in the greater campus community and in their home communities will positively impact their academic performance. 

• Your student may not be able to come home every weekend if they are living on campus. This is the case even if home is 5 or 10 miles away. If the student is living at home, they may not have the same amount of time to devote to family responsibilities as they did before. This does not mean they value you less! 

• Learn about the college process and what to expect. By learning about your F1RST student’s degree plan and campus resources, you will be able to become more familiar with what your student is experiencing.

• Be patient with yourselves and one another. This is a learning experience for everyone (both you and your student) -- you will all be learning about this transition process together.