The University of Alabama First-Gen Programs seek to provide a welcoming community to serve as a resource for first-generation students as they learn to navigate the college experience. We are housed in the Capstone Center for Student Success and are home to three support programs that serve a diverse group of students across a wide range of academic, social, and economic backgrounds.
To be recognized as a first-gen college student generally means that neither parent/guardian earned an undergraduate degree from a traditional four-year institution. At the University of Alabama, we also include students whose parent(s) may have earned a bachelor’s degree from an institution outside of the United States, as well as students whose parent(s) earned their degrees later in their careers. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, but many students find a home and build a sense of belonging and support with multiple programs. This is accomplished through a combination of tutoring, coaching, and advising activities; scholarships and other financial support; one-on-one interactions and group programs; professional and career development; and holistic support to assist students in their transition to The University of Alabama and in their continued success through graduation.
The University of Alabama is recognized as a First-Gen Forward institution. The First-Gen Forward designation is a national honor that recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-gen college students.
