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First Gen Student Alliance (FGSA) 

The First-Generation Student Alliance (FGSA) aims to foster a supportive first-generation community at UC San Diego. The primary goal of FGSA is to provide a welcoming and inclusive space where first-generation identifying students can connect, share experiences, and find resources to navigate their academic, professional, and personal journey successfully. FGSA seeks to empower students to embrace their first-generation identity by offering a network of support that addresses their unique challenges and needs. The organization will focus on building the first-generation identity at UC San Diego by creating alliances within the campus community. 

Interested In Being A General Member of FGSA?

Join the First-Gen Student Alliance (FGSA) and become part of a supportive community designed to empower First-Gen students! With the support of Triton Firsts, we’re working to revitalize this organization and welcome new members to help shape its future

Apply Here

First generation student alliance logo

Tri Alpha First-Gen Honor Society

unnamed-2.pngTri-Alpha, also known as Alpha Alpha Alpha, is a national honor society for first-generation scholars. UC San Diego is the first UC to be chartered for Tri-Alpha, and is known as the Beta Kappa Chapter. This honor society is a way to celebrate the academic achievements of our first-generation students and is open to undergraduate, graduate, professional, medical, and pharmacy students. Faculty and staff may also be inducted. We hope that you will join! To learn more about the Tri-Alpha Honors society, visit their official website.

 Learn more here: https://www.1stgenhonors.org/ 

Criteria

Students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria:
  • The student has earned at least 30 credit/semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) towards a baccalaureate degree
  • The undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. (For schools using a pass, high pass, etc. system, a "high pass" average is required.)
  • Neither of the student's parents, nor step-parents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor's degree
  • Graduate students who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed the equivalent of at least one term of study (9 or more graduate credits) and have a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5 and or are in satisfactory standing with their program (NOTE: The executive board voted to change the GPA requirement to 3.5, but now allows for part-time students in graduate programs to be admitted.). (For schools using a pass, high pass, etc. system, a "high pass" average is required.)
  • Faculty and staff may be inducted as well. To qualify, they must have met the definition of a first-generation student listed above at the time they completed their bachelor's degree. Faculty and staff must be willing to serve as mentors for first-generation students.

Membership Application

Undergraduate Students

Application coming soon. Stay tuned for more details!

Graduate Students

Application coming soon. Stay tuned for more details!

Faculty and Staff

Application coming soon. Stay tuned for more details!

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Membership Fee

  • The national initiation fee is $15 for students and $20 for faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as local initiation fees (where applicable).
  • You will receive a certificate and pin signifying your membership, which is for life.

Why should I join?

  • Receive the outward recognition of personal accomplishment and an incentive for continued high scholarship.
  • Be identified by employers, professionals, and graduate schools as a person of superior academic ability and commitment.

What can you do as a Tri-Alpha Member?

  • Have the opportunity to meet other first-generation scholars from all academic disciplines on your campus and to join them in promoting academic excellence and creating a supportive environment for first-generation college students.
  • Mentor younger first-generation students.
  • Receive mentoring from more senior first-generation students, as well as faculty, staff, and alumni who were first-generation students.
  • Build your resume and connections through networking.
  • Gain local chapter leadership opportunities.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.