1st UP Program

Firt Gen Community

What is 1st UP?

1st UP is a program that provides you with multiple layers of support: academic support, social connection, even the financial support if you meet the requirements each semester! It's free to participate, and lunch is provided for free at our meet-ups where you'll take part in community-building and skills-building workshops as well as other fun activities and opportunities to grow your network.

Check out this video to learn more about 1st UP.

How does the program work?

Participants will be part of either a Tuesday or Wednesday group, meeting weekly from 12 - 12:50 for free lunch and either a success workshop or small group mentoring with an upperclass peer leader.  Small group mentoring will help you connect with students like you and provide a comfortable space to ask questions and get personalized support. Success workshops will help you connect with important resources, get tips on how to navigate the university and make the most of your college experience, and support you in networking with faculty and staff from your areas of interest.

What are the benefits of participating in 1st UP?

If you meet all program requirements, you'll earn a $400 completion grant toward continued enrollment at UofL. The fall completion grant will be applied to your spring UofL bill, and the spring completion grant will be applied to either the next summer or fall depending on your enrollment.

The financial benefit isn't the only way you'll gain from participation! Benefits of being part of 1st UP include:

  • meetups and community-building opportunities with other first-gen students and peer leaders
  • skills-building workshops like resume development and and time management
  • networking opportunities
  • one-on-one meeting with your success coach to create a personal success plan
  • fun activities
  • ongoing support and connection with other first-gen students and 1st UP program staff
  • You can even count 1st UP as an engaged learning experience toward completion of CARDS EXCEL

How do I sign up?

Students new to UofL in Fall 2024 will not apply to this program until summer.

Before applying to be part of the program, make sure you're committed to attending your weekly meetups each semester. This program has limited space for participation, so it's important that those who apply and are selected are ready to make the most out of the experience.

The application for Fall 2024 is not yet open.

If your application is accepted and you're chosen to participate, you'll then be required to fill out an onboarding information form to complete your enrollment in 1st UP.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the program, contact .