Center for Student Success

First-Generation and Income-Eligible Students

Are you the first in your family to attend college? If so, transitioning to college might feel really overwhelming. Don’t worry though—you’re not alone! Oberlin has a substantial first-generation and income-eligible (low-income) community on campus, and you don't have to figure everything out on your own.

The Center for Student Success (CSS) offers support services for all currently-enrolled Oberlin students, with a special focus on helping first-generation and income-eligible (FGIE) students thrive. 

  • The Peer Mentor program: CSS Peer Mentors are returning first-generation or income-eligible students who  share their campus knowledge and resources with first-years in an effort to make the transition to college life that much easier.
  • The Brenda Grier-Miller (BGM) Scholars program: A cohort of first-generation and income-eligible students who support each other throughout their collegiate journeys.
  • F1RST Fridays: CSS dedicates the first Friday of every month to programming for FGIE student support. Led by the Peer Mentors, F1RST Fridays explore campus recources, offer FGIE community connection, and create space for conversation around the unique challenges that first-generation and income-eligible students often face.
  • The CSS Loaner Library: A collection of textbooks, novels, and other course materials available only to first-generation and income-eligible students in order to help offset the costs associated with college. Eligible students can request more information. 
  • F1RST Gen Week (FGW): An expansion of the college's First Generation College Celebration Day. FGW honors the various paths and identities of the F1RST at Oberlin community and provides community-building activities designed to create awareness of the challenges first-generation students often face.
  • Alpha Alpha Alpha: Alpha Alpha Alpha is a national honors society that celebrates the academic excellence of first-generation students, staff, faculty, and alumni. 
  • ObieXing (in Price Hall): ObieXing is a designated safe space for first-generation and income-eligible students to gather, share ideas, mingle, hold meetings, and build community. It's also a great place to hold events like movie nights or rainy day board game marathons. FGIE students can reserve the space for programming through CSS.

 

I’m First

“No matter where you come from or how much money your family has, I want you to know that you can succeed in college, and get your degree, and then go on to build an incredible life for yourself. That’s been my life story, and my husband’s as well. And if you’re willing to put in the time and the effort, I want you to know that it can be your story too.”

—First Lady Michelle Obama

Watch Mrs. Obama’s “I’m First” Story

Alumni

When you attended Oberlin, were you the F1RST in your family to graduate from college or an income-eligible (low-income) student? Join the FGIE community on campus to stay in touch with peers, discover new initiatives, recieve the F1RST newsletter, and take part in FGIE mentorship opportunities!