First-Generation Celebration Week is November 2-8

More than 4,600 University of Georgia students are doing something extraordinary. They are the first in their families to pursue a college degree.  

For many first-generation students, arriving at UGA is more than the start of college. It is the start of a new chapter for their families and futures. While they bring talent, determination and resolve, they often navigate higher education without the benefit of family members who have experienced it before. 

That’s where the Office for Student Success and Achievement (OSSA) comes in. We believe first should never mean being alone.  

Through community-building, mentoring and dedicated support programs, UGA’s first-generation students are finding connection, confidence and success. First-generation Bulldogs have a 91% first-year retention rate, a four-year graduation rate of 73% and a six-year graduation rate of 84%. 

But behind every number is a student. 

“If it wasn’t for the support of the first-generation scholarship, I don’t know if I could have afforded to attend UGA. I am forever grateful for this scholarship opportunity.” 

This year, we’re inviting you to be part of it. First-Generation Celebration Week, November 2-8, is a chance to honor the achievements and contributions of UGA’s first-generation community. It also falls during Beat Week, offering a meaningful opportunity to invest in students and support them as they write their own story. 

Your gift during First-Generation Celebration Week directly supports the programs that give first-generation students the resources, guidance and community they need to succeed at UGA. There’s no better time to show these students that the Bulldog community is behind them every step of the way.