Empowering First-Generation Students: A Guide to Support at Tufts University

Navigating the complexities of college life can be particularly challenging for students who are the first in their families to attend college. Tufts University recognizes these unique challenges and offers a comprehensive network of resources and support systems designed to empower first-generation students to thrive academically, socially, and professionally. This article explores the various programs, centers, and initiatives available at Tufts that cater specifically to the needs of first-generation students, providing a roadmap to success for those who are charting new territory in higher education.

Understanding the First-Generation Experience

Being the first in your family to attend college is a significant achievement, a testament to hard work, tenacity, and sacrifice. However, it can also feel daunting and overwhelming. First-generation students often lack the generational knowledge and support systems that students from college-educated families may take for granted. This can lead to difficulties navigating the academic landscape, understanding financial aid, and adjusting to the social dynamics of college life.

According to senior Katelyn Montalvo, a faculty member in Dowling created the Council in the spring of 2012 to provide a community and support system for self-identifying first generation college students. Tufts' official definition of "first generation" is decidedly narrow, according to Montalvo. In order for a student to qualify as first generation, neither of his or her parents may hold a bachelor's degree from any college in the United States. This excludes students like Montalvo, whose mother attended community college.

The FIRST Resource Center: A Hub of Support

The FIRST Resource Center was founded to create a community of support and to develop a network of resources for Tufts University’s first-generation, low-income, and undocumented communities. FIRST centers the experiences of students navigating higher education with limited generational or financial support. All students, regardless of background, are welcome. By strengthening connections among our community members and bridging the gap between Tufts’ resources and the students we serve, FIRST aims to ensure that students are empowered and prepared to reach their full academic, social, and professional potential.

The FIRST Center works to provide essential financial knowledge, institutional guidance, and access to meaningful opportunities that help students thrive during their time at Tufts. We believe it is vital for students to have an inclusive space that affirms their intersecting identities and validates their shared experiences. Your gift helps us continue to provide resources, programs, and a supportive community for Tufts students who are first-generation, high-need, and from diverse residency backgrounds.

Peer Leader Program: Guidance from Experienced Students

The FIRST Resource Center’s Peer Leader Program is an opt-in program for first-year students who self-identify as first-generation, high-need, and/or come from diverse residency backgrounds. First-year students opt in to be intentionally matched with a current sophomore, junior, or senior in the FIRST Community who has chosen to give back to the community as a mentor. Peer Leaders serve to guide first-year students in their first year at Tufts by sharing resources, being a support, and sharing knowledge on navigating campus life to create a sense of community on campus.

The mission of the FIRST Peer Leader Program is to connect students with a current FIRST student who has experiences navigating life at Tufts while also being a first-generation and/or high-need student. Through interactions with their mentors, first-year students will grow socially, academically, and professionally.

Financial Resources: Bridging the Opportunity Gap

Financial resources through the FIRST Center are available to eligible undergraduate students only. We always hope that each student will be able to attend Tufts without facing unexpected hardship. However, we know that in the span of their undergraduate years, some students may find the associated cost of an opportunity to be prohibitive. To that end, we have created a fund to assist students who may need this support. The FIRST Fund was designed for eligible undergraduate students to request funding for academic and co-curricular opportunities and certain unexpected costs.

Typically, grant awards will not exceed $500.00, which is the maximum total amount that a student may receive over their undergraduate years at Tufts. Funds are generally awarded on a reimbursement basis with receipts. Submitting a request does not guarantee financial support. All applications are subject to a thorough review process based on eligibility, the strength of supporting documentation, demonstrated need, and the availability of funds.

Eligibility & Deadlines for FIRST and Health Fund Requests: The FIRST and Health Funds are designed to support currently enrolled undergraduate students (with a family contribution of $10,000 and below) during the academic year. To ensure your request is eligible: All reimbursement requests and receipts must be submitted before the last day of classes for the semester in which the expense occurred. Expenses must be incurred while you are enrolled in on-campus classes during the current academic year, defined as the period from the first day of classes to the last day of classes in either the Fall semester or the Spring semester. Exception for laptop purchases only: Laptops may be purchased up to two weekends before the first day of classes in the Fall and Spring. Late submissions, including those made during finals or after the last day of classes, cannot be processed.

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Important Information for Graduating Seniors: If you are graduating this semester, please be aware of the following: All FIRST and Health Fund requests and receipts must be submitted before the last day of classes. Expenses submitted after this date, including during finals or the days leading up to graduation, will not be eligible for reimbursement. We are unable to make exceptions due to limited funds and the volume of last-minute requests typically received during this period. We understand that this is a busy time and encourage you to submit your requests as early as possible.

Examples of Funding Requests:

Essential technology support including repairs, replacement, or new purchases of computers/tablets (Mobile phones and earbuds are excluded)
Fees or equipment for a course not covered by financial aid such as Music, Art, Photography, and EMT
Athletic equipment for team sports
Conference fees/expenses
Students presenting at a conference must first apply to the Undergraduate Research Fund.

BEAST: A Pre-Orientation Program for First-Generation Students

BEAST is a four-day Pre-Orientation program that focuses on the unique social and cultural experiences specific to students who may be the first in their families to attend college and for students seeking guidance on navigating financial and academic resources at Tufts. BEAST provides participants support by acquainting them with useful resources and skills to navigate the sometimes complicated social and academic aspects of college life, all while connecting them to members of our community who are instrumental in helping our students succeed. As part of this, students will need to understand the structure of Tufts, Boston, and the local community.

Building Community and Identity

The First-Gen Collective: A Student-Led Initiative

Tufts F1RST is a student-led initiative by the First-Gen Collective at Tufts to unite and champion pride within the Tufts first-generation community. First-Gen Collective at Tufts was founded to create a community of support and to develop a network of resources for Tufts University's first-gen population. First-Gen Collective welcomes any student who self-identifies with the first-gen college student experience. By strengthening the bonds between our community members and bridging the gap between Tufts resources and first-gen students, First-Gen Collective aims to ensure that first-gen students are empowered in reaching their full social, professional, and academic potential.

According to Stephen Tran, a sophomore from Taunton, Mass., the Council has hosted events like a financial aid workshop, aimed at refreshing students’ memories about the financial aid application process and helping them reapply. Tran said that the Council also works across Boston, reaching out to first generation students on other campuses to extend their community. Dulce Delgado, a senior from the Chicago area, has just become involved with the Council this year and described her experiences so far as rewarding.

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Diversity and Inclusion: A Network of Resource Centers

The Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion includes eight resource centers. The Africana Center, Asian American Center, Center for STEM Diversity, Indigenous Center, FIRST Resource Center, Latinx Center, LGBT Center, and Women’s Center are physical spaces for socializing and club meetings, but also provide sources of comfort and belonging for students at Tufts. They offer students opportunities for peer mentorship, events, discussion, and leadership on issues of identity, diversity, and social justice.

Academic and Career Support

StAAR Center: Academic Support Services

The StAAR Center provides academic support services to all Tufts undergraduates. The StAAR Center values the individuality of each student, offering a number of different types of free programs to help students reach their full potential while at Tufts. Any Tufts student who may have a diagnosed disability (chronic health, cognitive, sensory, physical, mental health, etc.) that fundamentally impacts one or more of their major life functions should consider registering with the StAAR center.

Center for STEM Diversity: Fostering Inclusion in STEM Fields

Established in 2008, Tufts' Center for STEM Diversity works in partnership with the School of Engineering and the School of Arts and Sciences to foster a diverse and inclusive science and engineering learning environment. The Center focuses on strengthening meaningful student participation in science and engineering, specifically for traditionally underrepresented groups including women, African Americans, Native Americans, the LGBTQ community, and those who identify as Hispanic and/or Latinx.

Study Abroad: Global Opportunities

Tufts has been offering study abroad programs for over five decades and currently offers ten undergraduate programs for juniors (and occasionally seniors) to study in Chile, China, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The programs are organized to encourage students to continue their study of the language, culture, and history of the host country while completing course requirements for graduation and their major. Each of the programs is headed by a resident director who oversees academic and administrative aspects of the program and who serves as an academic and cultural advisor to the students.

Office of Scholar Development: Independent Research and Scholarships

The Office of Scholar Development helps students access opportunities for independent research and sponsored scholarship.

Career Center: Shaping Professional Development

The mission of the Tufts Career Center is to foster transformational experiences that shape the lifelong professional, academic and personal development of Tufts students and alumni. Their services support undergraduate and graduate students from the earliest stages of career exploration through alumni career management. In one-on-one sessions, Career Center advisors discuss topics related to self-assessment, choosing a major, resumes and cover letters, networking, internship and job searches, interviewing, graduate or professional school applications, and much more.

Many undergraduate students work part-time work study or non-work study jobs during their time at Tufts. These positions can help students refine their career interests, develop essential job skills, and earn some additional funds for books and personal expenses.

Mental Health and Well-being

CMHS employs a diverse team of clinicians deeply committed to helping students navigate challenges related to mental health and well-being. They offer a range of free and confidential services to all undergraduates and to graduate students who have paid the Health Fee. Each year, approximately 25% of Tufts students seek support through their services, which include individual therapy, groups and workshops, consultations, and off-campus referrals.

The Importance of Relationships and Mentorship

Relationships are key. Peer mentoring is really special as well.

Personal relationships were the best thing…when I was with my [supportive] step-grandfather…I could be a child. Looking back on it as an adult, I recognize how much that benefited my mental health, how much it mattered to have someone who really watched out for me, someone who cared. I always knew he wanted me to do my best, but also, no matter what, he would love me. I also benefited from my coaches. Athletics allowed me to be around adults who were positive and pushed me but knew my limits. I remember my coaches would pull me aside and recognize that I was having a hard time. The fact that I knew someone was watching me and cared for me was really important.

Addressing Systemic Challenges

College is designed for the student who can study at any hour they want without stressing about where their next meal is coming from or about familial stressors. Students who are low-income and first in their family to go to college may have to work to pay their bills or just feed themselves; that takes them out of the library. Even when they do, they have trauma that keeps them from focusing.

All universities need more counselors. There also needs to be more academic support for those students - support that reaches out to them, because a lot of students don’t know how to access systems that they haven’t accessed before. There’s a mentality lots of students and I grew up with: you don’t ask for something you can’t pay back. This keeps students from reaching out. We need to make resources more accessible.

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