F1rst Gen On the Hill

Apply to the First 2 the Hill Academy, today!

Click to watch this story about our Intergenerational Lunch event.

Attend events to be enrolled in the scholarship drawing. Details below.

We are glad you are here to Climb With Us! As a first-generation student, you are already demonstrating your resilience and resourcefulness, but we all know the climb can be steep. Think of the resources and engagement opportunities on this page as climbing tools that can help you reach the Top and benefit you even after graduation.

Are you F1rst Gen?

WKU defines first-generation as “neither parent graduated from a traditional four-year college.” It does not mean that you are the first one in your family to attend college. In addition, a student is considered "first generation" if their parents graduated with an associate's degree (two-year degree), attended college but did not graduate, or had a sibling graduate with a bachelor's degree.

About 30% of WKU undergraduate students are first-generation. (The chart shows data for 2022.) Additional details are available in the downloadable/printable fact sheets, below.

First Gen Fact Sheet 2022 First Gen Fact Sheet 2023

Percentage of First-generation Students in 2022

Make It Count Logo

Attendance at events in the Make It Count (M.I.C.) series counts toward eligibility for a scholarship drawing. Qualifying events provide the opportunity to develop professionalization, self-advocacy, and socialization skills. A variety of events presented across campus are qualified to help you earn MIC credit. Events that are open to any student are shown on this page. In addition, attendance at some events presented by your college, department, or other program that are intended to benefit specific groups of students (for example: certain majors) may count toward scholarship drawing eligibility even though they are not listed on this page.

Watch for the F1rst Gen QR code to register your attendance at events! Or, confirm that the event host will provide an attendance report to the initiative.

Attend at least 3 events to be entered in a $250 scholarship drawing.
Attend at least 5 events AND submit a written and/or video testimonial to be entered in a $750 scholarship drawing.

Upcoming Events

First Gen WIN!

Spring Semester Events Have Concluded

Our last event of the semester is a wrap! We had a great time meeting and learning more about first-gen students. The Make It Count Scholarship winners have all been contacted: eight students received $750 or $250 scholarships. We are thrilled to invest in these students!

You can see event highlights on Instagram @iamfirst_wku Join the conversation by sharing your successes and advice.

We look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Forming F2HA First Cohort

Apply to Join the Fall 2024 Cohort, Today!

Begin in your second year, continue till you graduate! Participants receive leadership training, career skills training, mentors, scholarship opportunities, and more. F2HA is no cost to students. Click to apply! Have questions? Scroll down to the webform and send us a message!

More Events Coming Soon!

Watch This Space

We are actively developing new content and seeking collaborators. Let us know if you have an idea and/or would like to work together. Click here and send a comment.

For more events and items of interest to F1rst Gen students, follow us on Instagram


First-Gen High School Summer Camp For high school students who will be first generation college students. Camp is FREE and will be from June 2-5. More information and link to interest form is on the camp webpage.	Spread the Word!	F1RST Gen Living Learning Community This LLC is for incoming first-time, first-year WKU students. Students who are unsure of their major are preferred. More information and link to housing application is on the LLC webpage.

F1rst Gen Advocates WKU doesn't just have first-generation students, many of the faculty, staff, and alumni are also first-generation graduates and are committed to helping you succeed. You can meet advocates at events for first-generation students. You can also see a list of faculty and staff advocates. If you need to engage with a new program or build your network, there is an advocate who can help!		F1rst Gen Student Ambassadors Help us spread the word and plan events- apply to be a F1rst Gen Student Ambassador! In addition to supporting first-generation students, ambassadors have opportunities for scholarships and engagement that can help with academic and professional goals. Application will be open through the end of the fall semester.