Being a First-Gen Graduate Student | First Generation at the U of M

Seeking Financial Support

Managing living expenses and budgeting for grad school can be overwhelming. The U of M has services to help you along the way!

Student Legal Service (SLS) offers advice and representation to students for legal issues like tenant and consumer rights
One Stop Financial Wellness resources and counseling
Nutritious U Food Pantry

Fellowships, grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and loans provide the most common forms of support for graduate students.

Schedule an appointment with a writing consultant at the Center for Writing to guide you through the grant/fellowship writing process
Explore the Graduate School's Funding page for current funding opportunities both internal and external to the U of M
Your graduate program's Director of Graduate Studies will offer guidance finding the resources you need to finance your graduate education
Graduate Assistant Health Plan

The Importance of Advisors

Your advisor is your academic point person and advocate: together, you work to chart requirements and milestones. Every advisor-student relationship is different. It's very important that you work to understand one another, and acknowledge each other's personalities and set positive boundaries.

Explore and bookmark the Graduate School's Advising resources
Dignity Project: Improving Advising of Graduate Students
Ask your advisor to collaborate on an Individual Development Plan (IDP)

Building Relationships and Career Development

So much of grad school is about balancing your scholarly achievements with your career aspirations. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, but it is important to know that there are many resources available to you, and there are UMN faculty and staff who want to help! Get started by exploring the resources below.

Explore the Academic and Professional Development workshop calendar
Subscribe to free online learning platforms
Get to know key grad school topics covered in the Ask an Expert video series
Introduce yourself via email to the Career Services office in your own college

This website is intended for first-gen students and supporters at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

This site is maintained by the Office of Undergraduate Education.