Helping first-generation students succeed

Our mission is to assist low-income, first-generation students to overcome the cultural, academic, class and social barriers to success in higher education.

Learn more about our programs and resources

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TRIO Scholars

The TRIO Scholars Program provides qualified undergraduates with the academic assistance and support necessary to successfully complete a baccalaureate degree. Services are available at no cost to help participants achieve their academic goals. The TRIO Scholars Program is a federally funded Student Support Services (SSS) program operating on an annual budget of approximately $375,000. Our grant allows us to serve 182 participants annually.

Apply to TRIO Scholars
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TRIO STEM Scholars

The TRIO STEM Scholars Program provides qualified undergraduates with the academic assistance and support necessary to successfully complete a baccalaureate degree in a STEM- or health-related major. Services are available at no cost to help participants achieve their academic goals. The TRIO STEM Scholars program is a Student Support Services (SSS) program federally funded through the U.S. Department of Education, operating on an annual budget of $261,888. Our grant is funded to serve 120 undergraduate students annually.

Apply to TRIO STEM
Four students wearing Nevada gear and sitting outside smile and talk to each other.

First-Generation Student Center

Our mission is to help students who will be the first in their families to complete a baccalaureate degree, and income-qualified students to overcome class, social and academic barriers to higher education. We believe all students should have an equal opportunity to prepare for, attend and graduate from college.

Student Services’ First-Generation Student Center

TRIO news and alumni

University of Nevada, Reno receives First-gen Forward Advisory Institution designation

National honor recognizes commitment to first-generation student success

Yareli Navarro Chavez in a lab holding a vial.

Faces of the Pack: Yareli Navarro Chavez finds first-generation opportunities through Undergraduate Research

Pack Research Experience Program and TRIO STEM Scholars offer mentorship and sense of belonging to sophomore pre-med student

Jesus Rosales Sandoval

University of Nevada, Reno student among winners of the 2020 ¡Andale! Scholarship

Criminal justice and philosophy major wins scholarship offered by Las Vegas Latino Bar Association to help cover LSAT expenses

Center for First-generation student success: a first-gen forward institution.

The University of Nevada, Reno has been named as a 2020-21 First-gen Forward Institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA (the organization of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) and The Suder Foundation. Read the full article.

Diversity, equity and inclusion statement for the First-Generation Student Center

Emanating from the struggles and achievements of the Civil Right Movement and President Lyndon Johnson’s “unconditional war on poverty,” our programs have the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion at the core. All programs under the administration of the First-Generation Student Center strive to provide access and opportunities to minoritized populations in higher education.

View the records retention policy for the First Generation Student Center.