Village fountain at night

Resources for aspiring first generation graduate school students

Here are a few resources to help you get started!

USC Research Gateway Scholars

Are you interested in pursuing graduate-level studies, perhaps even a Ph.D. program one day? Are you interested in learning how to conduct formal research and having the opportunity to engage in a real-world research project? Are you interested in receiving mentoring from USC’s outstanding professors and graduate students? Would you like to know what it’s like to be a professor and/or a Ph.D. student? This might be the right program for you!

USC First Generation Plus Success Center

The First Generation Plus Success Center at USC (FG+SC) serves as a resource hub for current first-generation, undocumented, transfer, and former foster youth students as they navigate campus. Their mission is to foster a sense of belonging and a culture of holistic well-being through intentional mentorship, supportive services, and leadership opportunities. (Cited directly from their home page)

Collective Success Network

As per their website, the resources in this website are “designed to help FGLI (first generation, low-income) college students in all aspects of their college experience, career exploration, physical and mental health, and personal success.”

First Generation Foundation

First Generation Foundation: This organization provides resources, support, and networking opportunities for first-generation college students aiming for graduate school.

Council for Opportunity in Education (COE)

COE is a nonprofit organization that advocates for first-generation, low-income students, and provides valuable resources to help them access and succeed in higher education, including graduate school.

The PhD Project

This organization aims to increase diversity in business academia by supporting underrepresented students in pursuing doctoral degrees in business-related fields.

Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS)

Gates Millennium Scholars provides scholarships and resources to support underrepresented students in their educational pursuits, including graduate studies.

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF)

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship provides research opportunities and mentorship to underrepresented students interested in pursuing academic careers.

Diversity in Graduate Education (DGE)

Diversity in Graduate Education is a program sponsored by the American Psychological Association (APA) that aims to increase diversity in psychology graduate programs.

MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide

2024-2025 edition

Immigrants Rising

Designed to help undocumented people attend college and start their career development journeys in the United States.

Higher Ed Immigration Portal

As per their website, “The Higher Ed Immigration Portal (the Portal) is a platform that integrates data, policy analysis, and resources to support DACA and undocumented, refugee, other immigrant, and international students.”

USC Gould Immigrant Legal Assistance Center (ILAC)

California Dream Act

As per the California Dream Act website: “The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients (valid or expired), U Visa holders and students under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), who qualify for a non-resident exemption under Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540), Senate Bill 2000 (SB 2000) and Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), to receive certain types of financial aid such as: private scholarships funded through public universities, state administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. In addition, the California Dream Act, allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at any public college in California.” Citation: https://www.csac.ca.gov/sites/main/files/file-attachments/california_dream_act_faq.pdf

finaid

Resources for undocumented college students

My Undocumented Life

Resources for undocumented college students