1st UP
What is 1st UP?
1st UP is a two-semester program (fall and spring semesters) that provides first-year, first-generation students with multiple layers of support: academic support, social connection, and even financial support when 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 small group peer mentoring, skills-building workshops, and other fun activities and opportunities.
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.
Workshop topics include things like budgeting basics, overcoming college culture shock, mastering time management, networking 101, finding your fit at UofL, and more.
Check out this video to learn more about 1st UP.
How does the program work?
1st UP participants will be invited to one of these groups based on your course schedule and availability. Groups meet weekly for free lunch and either a small-group meeting with your peer mentor or a large-group success workshop. There are only 100 spots in each group, so keep your schedule as open as possible in order to increase your chances of participating at a time that works for you.
- Wednesdays, 12 - 12:50pm, starting Sept. 4
- Thursdays, 12 - 12:50pm, starting Sept. 5
* To participate in your group, you cannot have a class that ends between12 and 1pm; however, you will have time to get to a class that starts at 1pm. Some Tuesday/Thursday classes end at 12:15pm, and this would mean you cannot participate in the Thursday group if you're in one of these classes.
What are the benefits of participating in 1st UP?
Participants who attend at least 6 peer group meetups and 6 success workshops during the semester will earn a $400 completion grant! The fall 2024 completion grant will be applied to your spring 2025 UofL bill, and the spring completion grant will be applied to summer or fall 2025 depending on your enrollment.
In addition to $800 in completion grants and free lunches, 1st UP also helps participants achieve their college goals:
- More likely to stay enrolled at UofL
- Higher grade point average
- More credit hours earned
How do I apply?
Applications for 2025-26 will open in late May 2025.
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.
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 firstyear@louisville.edu.