Research indicates that Stanford students are unique in that their First Generation and Low-Income (FLI) status are not major barriers to their academic success. However, we have documented that many of these students carry additional stressors due to a range of factors from stereotype threat to financial insecurity at home. The work of the DGen office has been successful in building a strong community network of graduate student, staff and faculty support. From our student advising hours to our brown bag lunches, our students feel a critical sense belonging and support that allows them to thrive at Stanford and beyond.
FLI Student Support Programs
- Programs for incoming students: The DGen office establishes contact with low-income and first-generation students from the time they are accepted through their Stanford experience. We host a panel during our Admit student weekend, a series of programs for parents and students throughout Stanford’s new student orientation (NSO) and a welcome dinner during the fall quarter where students meet peers, staff and faculty who are committed to supporting their successful transition into Stanford.
- Graduate Student mentoring program: First-generation students are assigned a grad student mentor who promotes the development of practical social and academic skills as well as the key sense of belonging designated by research as the primary building block to first-gen success. If you would like a mentor, please e-mail us.
- Opportunity Fund: a special fund set aside to help first-gen and low-income students take advantage of opportunities that they could not traditionally afford such as national conferences and to provide funds to students who are facing temporary financial crisis that the financial aid office does not cover.
- Research and Community Service Grants: a new one-time grant from Coca Cola for research and community service initiatives led by first-generation students.
