Regis University is proud to celebrate a growing community of first-generation college students, with nearly half of all Regis students being the first in their families to pursue a college degree. That means the questions you might have about how college works, what is expected of you and whether you truly belong here are questions the people around you understand firsthand.
Regis has built real community and dedicated programs around that shared experience, including the support listed below, to guide you from your first semester through graduation and into whatever comes next.
A first-generation college student is someone whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree in the United States.
Questions about our programs or anything else? Email us at rufirstgen@regis.edu, or visit the Community for Belonging.
The First-Gen Success Center is part of Regis’s Community for Belonging, and it’s one of the first places worth getting to know. Run by first-gen students and staff who understand the experience firsthand, it connects you with programs, mentors and resources built specifically around your needs.
The First Steps Resource Desk is a good starting point for the everyday questions that don’t always have an obvious answer: how things work, who to talk to and where to go when you’re not sure. The earlier you connect, the more grounded you’ll feel.
Application Deadline: June 27
The RU First Program is a credit-based academic and scholarship program that helps first-generation students build community, navigate college resources and develop leadership skills. Through seminars, mentorship and ongoing support, you’ll gain the tools and connections to move forward with confidence. For more information, email Dr. Jason Taylor at jptaylor@regis.edu.
Apply to RU First
Please note: This program has been paused for 2026. However, if you are interested in getting on the list for other First Gen programming events at Regis, please fill out this interest form.
Summer Bridge is a student success and leadership program designed to help you start strong at Regis. You’ll begin with an on-campus experience, take part in outdoor education and continue building skills through a credit-bearing course and ongoing support throughout your first year. Along the way, you’ll build community, grow your confidence and get connected early. Students accepted into the program receive nearly $5,000 in program benefits.
Application Deadline: June 7
The Pipeline Uplifting Excellence in Nursing Training and Education (PUENTE) Pre-Nursing Program is a four-year, cohort-based scholarship and support program designed to help you succeed from day one. You’ll start with a 12-day summer pre-orientation and then continue building skills, community and support throughout your time at Regis.
Along the way, you’ll receive academic, financial and peer support tailored to your journey in nursing along with up to $10,000 in program benefits.
Learn About Benefits
All First Gen students are invited to participate in our seven Belonging Breakfasts on Friday mornings during the fall and spring semesters. These breakfasts are an opportunity to connect with other First Gen students and learn about the many exciting opportunities for engagement both on and off campus. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter and invitations to these breakfasts, please email rufirstgen@regis.edu.
Staffed by First Gen students, the First Steps Success Desk helps you navigate college, find support and build community alongside First Gen faculty and staff.
Email rufirstgen@regis.edu or visit Student Center, 208. Please also take the First Gen Programming Survey to share your interests.
1LEADS is where first-generation students at Regis find each other. If you’re looking for people who understand what this experience is actually like, this is a good place to start.
Join through Campus Groups or follow along on Instagram to stay connected.
Cindy, Biology MajorThis program became a great help to me not only financially, but emotionally as well. I was able to address many of my struggles as a first-year First-Generation student and learn from them. I connected with people who spoke life into me; I will forever be thankful for that!
*SkillSurvey, 2025
College comes with new expectations, processes and decisions that aren’t always explained up front, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. The sections below cover some of the things first-gen students find most helpful to know early on. Consider it a starting point, not a complete guide.
College gives you more control over your time than you’ve probably had before, and that comes with more responsibility to manage it. Professors expect you to keep up with deadlines, come prepared and reach out when you have questions. Your syllabus is your contract for the semester: It tells you what’s due, when it’s due and what’s expected. Most of your learning happens through studying, reading and assignments you complete on your own schedule.
Nobody figures all of this out immediately, and you're not expected to. Visiting office hours, connecting with a tutor or talking to a faculty advisor are all reasonable next steps. Those resources are here for exactly that reason.
Explore Academic Support ResourcesFor many first-gen students, college isn't just a new academic experience. It's a whole new way of structuring your life. You might be balancing course work with a job, staying connected to family while building independence or figuring out how to take care of yourself in an environment that's entirely new. All of that is real, and you're not the only one managing it.
The unstructured time alone can catch people off guard. Between classes, meals and sleep, there's more space in your day than you've probably had before, and figuring out how to use it well takes practice. Getting involved early helps. Programs such as Summer Bridge are a great place to start, and something as simple as introducing yourself to the people around you goes further than you might expect.
And if things ever feel like too much, you don't have to work through it alone. Regis Counseling Services is here for whatever you're navigating, big or small.
Connect with Counseling ServicesUnderstanding how financial aid and billing work is an important part of navigating college, and it’s okay if it feels confusing at first.
Financial aid is something you’ll manage each year, and your offer may change over time. You’ll also come across the Cost of Attendance, which reflects the estimated total cost of going to college, including tuition, housing and other expenses. Your student account will show your actual charges alongside any financial aid that’s applied.
In some cases, aid may not cover the full balance right away, so it’s important to review your account and understand what is due and when.
If something doesn’t make sense, you’re not expected to figure it out on your own. Asking questions, exploring payment options and staying on top of deadlines can help you feel more confident in managing your finances.
Explore Financial Aid and Billing ResourcesOne of the most important parts of college is learning how to reach out to others. That might mean talking with a professor, stopping by an office, chatting with a community development assistant (CDA) at the residence halls or connecting with the campus ministry. If you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay. Anyone you talk to can help point you in the right direction.
Over time, you’ll find people you trust and feel comfortable going to with questions. Asking for help isn’t a sign that you’re behind, but rather, it’s part of how you learn, grow and stay on track.
College is a new experience not just for students but also for the people who support them. Regis offers resources to help families and supporters better understand college life, navigate key milestones and feel confident in how they can support first-generation students along the way.
Orientation is one of the best places to start getting your questions answered and to connect with people who have been where you are.
At SOAR, you’ll have opportunities to talk with fellow first-generation students, staff and faculty who can help you make sense of college life and feel more confident and connected early on.
Not sure who to ask? Start here.
The First-Gen Success Center can help you find answers, connect with resources and navigate college along the way.