First Generation Students

First in your family. Never on your own.

A community that supports first-generation students.

Five smiling students pose for a photo on the Notre Dame campus, holding People Bingo cards.

The University of Notre Dame provides a comprehensive support matrix for first-generation and limited-income (FGLI) undergraduate students. Coordinated across units such as the Office of Student Enrichment (OSE), the Transformational Leaders Program (TLP), and the AnBryce Scholars Program, Notre Dame removes financial and social barriers to ensure first-generation trailblazers achieve equitable academic, social, and post-graduate career outcomes.

Person with Mendoza College of Business backpack views Baily Lighthouse on a rocky headland overlooking the Irish Sea.
  • 98% of students return for their second year (one of the highest rates in the country).
  • 95% of students graduate on time, one of the highest graduation rates in the nation.
  • 97% of graduates are traditionally placed in careers, graduate schools, or service opportunities within six months of graduation.
  • Allan Njomo wears round glasses smiles broadly, wearing a white shirt and black suit jacket.

    "Upon visiting, I found a community that embraced me for who I was, loved me, all the quirks that I had, and really empowered me to be myself. And that’s how I knew I had found home."

    Allan Njomo '22

  • Young woman with dark hair, braces, and a red shirt smiles.

    As a first-generation student, I initially had a lot of unanswered questions about what my Notre Dame experience was going to be like...I have found nothing but a home where I am able to flourish. Every dream that I have ever had now feels within reach.

    Militza Algredo-Huerta ’29

  • Esther Chavez is a woman with short purple hair and a colorful floral top clasps her hands, smiling gently in a sunny outdoor setting.

    “Every time somebody asks me, I just beam with pride saying she goes to Notre Dame.”

    Notre Dame Parent Esther Chavez

First Gen @ ND

Watch stories from first-generation students, parents, and staff at Notre Dame.

Allan Njomo wears round glasses smiles broadly, wearing a white shirt and black suit jacket.

Allan Njomo

Arlington, TX
Smiling man in a green hoodie with the ND logo and red cap stands on a gravel.

Carlos Flores

Oklahoma City, OK

Architecture
Young woman with long brown hair smiles, wearing a white V-neck shirt and black blazer outdoors.

Cheyenne Stewart

Terre Haute, IN
Five people smile under a tent, two women and two men flank a man in a hat.

Daniel Lapsley

Department of Psychology
Smiling young man with curly dark hair wearing a black sweatshirt.

Dominick Jesús Blanco

Bronx, New York City, NY
Young woman with dark curly hair and a bright smile, wearing a blue and white plaid shirt and a cream cardigan.

Ella Brown

North Aurora, IL
Man in blue shirt and tie smiles with arms crossed in front of Notre Dame.

Erik Finch-Soto '25

San Tan Valley, AZ

Neuroscience and Behavior
A woman with purple hair smiles, hands on her chest, wearing a floral shirt outdoors.

Esther Chavez

Santa Ana, CA

Notre Dame Parent
Jennifer Huynh, a smiling woman in a blue top and white blazer stands in front of the Hesburgh Library's large World Globe.

Jennifer Huynh

Department of American Studies
A young woman with long brown hair smiles warmly, wearing a dark red sweater.

Karyme Grosso '23

Mission, TX

Design and Studio Art
Young woman in a red floral dress smiles with hands on hips, outdoors in fall.

Lulu Romero '24

Santa Ana, CA

American Studies, Psychology
Mark Metryoos, a smiling young man in glasses and a grey quarter-zip sweatshirt with a navy ND Irish Notre Dame logo.

Mark Metryoos

Orlando, FL
A smiling graduate with long, dark, curly hair speaks at a podium at the University of Notre Dame.

Miguel Coste '23

Tampa, FL

Neuroscience and Behavior
A young woman with dark curly hair smiles, wearing a tan tank top and tan pants.

Myldred Hernandez-Gonzalez

Sacramento, CA
Smiling blonde woman in a black top on a campus path, with Notre Dame's yellow Main Building in the background.

Sofija Valancius

Cape Coral, FL
Smiling woman with brown hair and highlights, wearing a grey turtleneck and cream vest with a "Golden Generation" pin in a campus lounge.

Tavin Martin

Evansville, IN
Young Black woman with braids and pearl necklace smiles in a blue sweater.

Temi Kassim '24

Marietta, GA

Computer Science

Resources for First Generation Students and Families

Learn about the Transformational Leaders Program

A comprehensive portfolio of support, services, and opportunities to enhance the Notre Dame experience for high potential undergraduate students.