Students who are the first in their families to attend college and qualify for financial aid
The Center for Student Success (CSS) at Oberlin College is a valuable resource for all currently-enrolled students, offering academic, personal, and professional support. However, it holds a special focus on first-generation and income-eligible (FGIE) students, who may face unique challenges in navigating college life.
The CSS provides a variety of services specifically designed for FGIE students. One such service is the CSS Loaner Library, a collection of textbooks, novels, and other course materials available exclusively to first-generation and income-eligible students. This initiative aims to help offset college costs and make resources more accessible.
Beyond the CSS, Oberlin College offers additional support services for FGIE students. The Division of Student Affairs provides resources and support aimed at student well-being and engagement on campus. Counseling and Psychological Services offer short-term confidential counseling to support students' academic and personal goals, which can benefit students needing mental health support. The Office of Residence Life sponsors practical support such as the college room outfitting store, which may assist income-eligible students in managing college living expenses.
While the search results do not detail specialized programs exclusively for FGIE students beyond the Center for Student Success, these broader service areas contribute significant support that can address academic, psychological, and financial needs. For more precise or updated information, it may be helpful to contact Oberlin’s student affairs or the Office of Student Services directly, as these offices often coordinate additional targeted initiatives not explicitly detailed in the available search results.
The CSS also offers initiatives to create awareness of the challenges first-generation students often face. F1RST Fridays, led by the Peer Mentors, are monthly events dedicated to FGIE student support, focusing on campus resources, community building, and discussions about challenges faced by first-generation and income-eligible students. The Center for Student Success (CSS) also plays a crucial role during F1RST Gen Week (FGW), an expansion of the college's First Generation College Celebration Day, honoring the paths and identities of the F1RST at Oberlin community and providing community-building activities.
One of the most notable events is the FGIE Retreat, an annual event that takes first-generation and income-eligible students off campus for identity exploration, storytelling, and fun activities. The Brenda Grier-Miller (BGM) Scholars program is another initiative that brings together a cohort of first-generation and income-eligible students who support each other throughout their collegiate journeys.
ObieXing in Price Hall is a designated safe space for first-generation and income-eligible students, offering opportunities for idea-sharing, networking, event hosting, and community building. FGIE students can reserve the space for programming through CSS. FGIE students can also participate in ObieXing's activities such as movie nights or rainy day board game marathons.
Lastly, it's worth mentioning Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national honors society that recognizes the academic excellence of first-generation students, staff, faculty, and alumni. The CSS Peer Mentor program involves returning first-generation or income-eligible students who assist first-years in navigating college life. The Center for Student Success (CSS) aims to help Oberlin students thrive, with a particular emphasis on FGIE students.
- The Center for Student Success (CSS) at Oberlin College offers initiatives like F1RST Fridays, F1RST Gen Week, FGIE Retreat, and the Brenda Grier-Miller (BGM) Scholars program, all designed to support the personal growth and education-and-self-development of first-generation and income-eligible students.
- In addition to the CSS, Oberlin's Alpha Alpha Alpha national honors society recognizes the academic excellence of first-generation students, providing an opportunity for community-building and shared experiences, contributing to their personal growth and overall college experience.
