Research Guides: First Generation Student Resources: Resources for First Generation College Students

UNH Programs with Specific Support for First Generation Students

At UNH, we define first-generation college students as Trailblazers, because you are first in your family to earn a bachelor’s degree and that’s something to be proud of! Even if you have an older sibling who got a degree before you or if your parent(s)/guardians got a degree while you were in college, you’re still first-gen and still a Trailblazer! If your UNH application reflected your first-gen status, we most likely already invited you to the Trailblazers Canvas course, a resource site with helpful information and timely announcements. You’ll learn about opportunities and celebrations, like registering to receive a first-gen Medallion for graduation, or if you qualify for the UNH Tri-Alpha Honor Society for first-generation college students.

If you’re first-generation but not sure if we know it, let us know! Learn more about our efforts on the Institute for Student Success page for First-Gen Initiatives.

McNair Scholars Program
McNair is a program (federally-funded through TRIO) to prepare talented, highly motivated UNH undergraduates for entrance to PhD programs in all fields of study. The program is named for former NASA astronaut and physicist, Ronald E. McNair.
TRIO Scholars Student Support Services
The goal of TRIO Scholars (SSS) is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of participants and help students make the transition from high school to college, and from college to beyond. TRIO is a federally funded program that provides support for students with high financial need, are first in their family to go to college, or have a disability.
CONNECT Program
The Challenging Ourselves in a New and Nurturing Environment by Coming Together (CONNECT) Program is designed to help students that have been historically excluded from higher education (People of Color, first-generation and/or those with high financial need) thrive at UNH.
Institute for Student Success
Institute for Student Success programs holistically guide students through the transition to the University of New Hampshire, celebrate and build on their strengths, and offer ongoing opportunities to enhance their academic, personal and professional growth throughout their educational journey. We help students graduate prepared and confident to launch careers in the global marketplace or continue on to graduate school.

Academic Resources at UNH

Center For Academic Resources (CFAR)
CFAR works with students to navigate the UNH academic environment and develop or enhance their study/life strategies for success now and in the future.
Connors Writing Center
The Connors Writing Center offers one-on-one writing conferences to current UNH students (undergraduate and graduate) working with writers from all disciplines on many different kinds of writing. The fifty-minute conferences are conducted by trained writing assistants who are UNH undergraduate and graduate students.
Knack Tutoring
UNH has partnered with Knack to help strengthen the peer learning community on campus! With Knack, any enrolled undergraduate student at UNH can get help from a fellow peer that already aced your class. You can choose to meet up online on the Knack platform or on campus in person!
myWildcatSuccess (mWS)
My Wildcat Success, aka mWS, is a collaborative student success management system used to communicate, make appointments, track academic progress and alerts, and improve overall student support.
Student Accessibility Services
SAS ensures reasonable accommodations and equal access to all UNH students with a documented disability. We provide services to students who have permanent or temporary disabilities that affect academics, housing, and parking. Our dedicated staff is here to support students and faculty & staff with questions regarding our process, implementation, and general guidance.
UNH Library
The UNH Library supports the educational and research activities of the students, faculty, and staff of the University of New Hampshire. The UNH Library has over 2.8 million print and electronic items, approximately 105,850 current print and electronic serial subscriptions, and over 100,000 media titles. Library locations offer wireless internet access, computer workstations, individual study and collaborative group work spaces, and assistance by knowledgeable librarians and staff.
University Advising Center
Using a student-centered approach, the University Advising Center provides personalized, high-quality academic advising and acts as a resource for undeclared students in the College of Liberal Arts. Through active partnership and advocacy, UAC advisors provide an inclusive and safe environment for students to explore majors and interests through self-awareness.

Housing, Food, & Finances

Cats' Cupboard
Located in the MUB, Room 140A, the Cats' Cupboard mission is to help alleviate food insecurity for the UNH community in need by providing supplemental, direct access to free, nourishing food. For services, please bring your current UNH ID card with you. If possible, please bring your own reusable bags for carrying items.
Financial Resources
We know that finances can be a barrier to starting college or completing your degree, and UNH has dozens of resources, options, and opportunities to help you remove those barriers. Scholarships, emergency funding resources, financial aid, and financial wellness resources are all available to you.
Food Resources
It's hard to focus when you don't know where your next meal will come from. We've compiled a list of campus and community-based resources to help you find food. Please be mindful that this is not an exhaustive list.
Housing & Residential Life - Housing Toolkit
Quick links to information for first-year application, residence halls, learning and themed communities, and more.
Housing, Food and Financial (Basic Needs) Support
We all face unanticipated challenges during our lives. Sometimes these challenges for students include fundamental issues of food insecurity, housing and other financial concerns. UNH has multiple resources that can help. We know how important it is for your basic needs to be met so you can focus on your education and other life goals. This page points you to a variety of on- and off-campus resources that are free or low cost.
Housing Resources
No student should have to worry about homelessness, eviction or couch surfing when midterms, keeping your GPA up, and getting to work is already stressful enough. Below are some resources both on and off-campus that may be helpful.
Technology Resources
Having the right tools and supplies can go a long way to supporting your education. Below are some resources that may be helpful. We offer resources such as loaner laptops and additional technology and education supports, transportation, health and medical as well as clothing.

Additional Resources at UNH

The Beauregard Center
The Aulbani J. Beauregard Center is committed to working collaboratively with the whole UNH community to create a more inclusive, equitable, and socially just campus through education, advising, advocacy and community building. Through the lens of intersectionality, the center works closely with underrepresented and ally students to empower their development and growth in order to thrive socially and academically.
Community, Equity and Diversity
The University of New Hampshire is committed to building and nurturing an environment of inclusive excellence where all students, faculty, and staff can thrive. We also are committed to providing open and inclusive access for all alumni, volunteers, learners, employees, and visitors seeking to participate in our programs and activities. We venture to sustain a campus environment that fosters mutual respect and understanding. We believe diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are foundational values inextricably linked to achieving our core educational mission and embrace the many characteristics of our community members that make them uniquely themselves. Here, you belong and all are welcome.
Health & Wellness
Health & Wellness provides whole person-centered care and services, illness prevention and health promotion, co-curricular learning opportunities, and public health leadership and expertise. All are tailored to support our students’ health, well-being, and personal development, the health of the campus community and the mission of our University. Health & Wellness is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
Information Technology (IT)
UNH Information Technology delivers network and communications infrastructure, as well as provides IT services that support students, faculty & staff with learning & research. For a complete list of services and to learn more visit the UNH IT Service Catalog. For information on how to use the services, visit the Self-Help Knowledge Base.
International Students and Scholars
The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) provides a wide range of services to international students, faculty, staff and exchange scholars. These services begin before the international visitors arrive on campus and often continue past the completion of their programs
Military & Veteran Services
The mission of the Military & Veteran Services Office is to provide the highest quality service and support to Student Veterans, Service Members, and other military-affiliated students such as dependents, as outlined in the Veteran Administration's Principles of Excellence and 8 Keys of Success.
Office of National Fellowships
The UNH Fellowships Office provides information, counsel, and editorial support to highly motivated students (undergraduates, graduate students, and UNH alumni) applying for national and international fellowships and scholarships. Fellowships are life-changing experiences that help students and alumni develop as scholars and global citizens through study abroad, research, internships, or graduate study. There are scholarship and fellowship opportunities for every field of study, stage of education, and career goal.
Psychological and Counseling Services
Psychological and Counseling Services (PACS) is committed to serving UNH’s diverse campus community by providing students with support and education for their personal and academic success through confidential counseling, psychiatric consultation, outreach and prevention services.
The SHARPP Center for Interpersonal Violence Awareness, Prevention, and Advocacy
Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) is committed to ending all forms of violence and continuing to work towards dismantling systems of oppression within our community. SHARPP is a University of New Hampshire program overseen by Student Life, dedicated to providing free and confidential services to survivors of Interpersonal Violence (sexual violence, relationship abuse, sexual harassment, childhood abuse, and stalking) as well as their allies. We also provide education, outreach, and training on the above topics as well as on consent, bystander intervention, and healthy relationships to the greater University community.

Books through the UNH Library

First-Generation Student Experiences in Higher Education by Carl E. James; Leanne E. Taylor
Call Number: e-book
ISBN: 0367547163
Publication Date: 2022-10-01
A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind
Call Number: Dimond - Level 4 ; LC2803.W3 S87 1998
ISBN: 0767901258
Publication Date: 1998-05-18
I Was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib
Call Number: Manchester General Coll ; PN6727.G5 Z46 2019
ISBN: 9780525575115
Publication Date: 2019-04-30
Spread Your Wings and FLI by Jessica Ilayalith Mora
Call Number: e-book
ISBN: 1637300832
Publication Date: 2021-04-26
First in the Family: Your College Years by Kathleen Cushman
Call Number: Dimond - Level 4 ; LB2343 .C87 2006
ISBN: 9780976270669
Publication Date: 2006-10-01

Books by First Generation College Students

Educated by Tara Westover
Call Number: Dimond - Level 5 ; CT3262.I2 W47 2018 AND Manchester General Coll ; CT3262.I2 W47 2018
ISBN: 9780399590504
Publication Date: 2018-02-20
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Call Number: Level 5 ; E909.O24 A3 2018
ISBN: 9781524763138
Publication Date: 2018-11-13
My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
Call Number: Dimond - Level 4 ; KF8745.S67 A3 2013 AND e-book
ISBN: 1299169724
Publication Date: 2013-01-01