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First-Gen Success

Are you the first in your family to go to college? You’re not alone, nearly half of Aims students are first-generation. Aims is here to support you with resources, events, and a welcoming community to help you succeed every step of the way.

Defining First-Gen

A first-generation college student, or "first-gen," is someone whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree in the U.S.

First-gen students often encounter unique challenges in navigating college life and may experience lower graduation rates compared to their peers.

In 2024, Aims was selected to join the FirstGen Forward Network, one of only a few community colleges in the group. As a FirstGen Forward Network member, Aims administrators, faculty, and staff have opportunities to engage with other schools to improve the experiences and success of first-generation students. Internally, Aims established a FirstGen Forward task force to focus on this population.

Two students smiling and walking through a brightly lit hallway, two sitting and talking on a bench while three walk by with books and backpacks.

First-Gen Events

Support Resources

Aims is here to support you on your journey to success and is dedicated to helping you navigate your college journey. Explore these additional college resources to help you thrive at Aims!

Academic

  • AAA 1001/1009

    The first course meets for five weeks and will introduce students to college culture through interactive seminars in a multicultural environment. The second course will build students' college success techniques in personal management, communication skills, critical and creative thinking, appreciation for diverse identities, and career planning.

  • Access and Opportunity Programs

    The Access and Opportunity Programs are dedicated to serving, educating, and empowering farm workers. By addressing the academic, financial, and social needs of migrant and seasonal farm workers and their children, the programs aim to improve their quality of life through higher education.

  • Aims2UNC

    Streamlines your transition to the University of Northern Colorado. Program participants receive specialized advising, access to UNC’s resources and services, and increased scholarship opportunities. Students pursuing AA, AS, and AAS Graphic Design degrees should strongly consider joining the program as soon as possible.

  • Arty’s Study Hours

    Drop-in student service to help students complete their study goals and succeed during the semester. An academic coach is available to assist students with their study skills and study habits.

  • College Boost

    Supports students in their college journey by helping develop the studying, reading, and writing skills necessary for succeeding in college classes. The program provides 12 months of customized instructor support with flexible study hours in our Adult Learning Lab.

  • Disability Access Services

    Helps students with a documented disability receive the accommodations they need to ensure access, such as extended test time, note-taking, assistive technology, and more.

  • Learning Commons

    Provides library services, professional tutoring services, online learning assistance, and student technology assistance. Students have access to more than 100 digital databases and 24/7 library assistance. Students can check out textbooks, laptops, hotspots, and more. The remodeled space has comfortable seating, numerous study locations, and several private study rooms.

  • Math Brush Up

    Free, self-paced, and flexible 10-week program for currently enrolled students, with online and in-person learning opportunities and one-on-one support from instructors in the Adult Learning Lab.

  • Reisher Bridge Scholars Program

    The Program is designed to help promising students complete an associate degree without incurring additional educational debt and to support them in successfully transferring to a Reisher 4-year partner institution.

  • Transfer Services

    Provides support to students seeking to transfer to a four-year college or university. Offers support in researching programs and schools that align with students' education and career goals, navigating transfer application and scholarship processes, and connecting with support services at transfer institutions.

  • TRIO Student Support Services

    Serves first-generation students, those with a financial need, and/or documented disability. From start to finish, participants will receive academic support and resources: academic advising, access to free tutoring, transfer and career planning, financial aid and financial literacy workshops, computer, and printing access, transfer college visits, and cultural enrichment activities.

  • Tutoring Services

    Unlock your academic success at Aims with our free tutoring and academic support services.

Financial

  • Financial Aid Office

    Assists students in applying for and receiving grants, scholarships, work-study programs, loans, and Veteran education benefits to minimize educational debt.

  • Student Emergency Fund

    The Student Emergency Fund provides assistance (up to $599) for an unexpected or unplanned hardship emergency.

Mental Health & Basic Needs

  • Arty's Pantry

    Helps ensure that all Aims students can access food and the basic supplies they need to succeed.

  • CARE & Counseling Team

    Assists students in connecting with Aims and community resources to help them overcome barriers to academic success and well-being.

  • Talk Campus

    A peer, student-to-student network to share the ups and downs of life. Use your Aims email address to sign up and connect with students worldwide. It's a safe place where you can talk day, any time anonymously, about mental wellness without judgment.

  • You@Aims

    A portal that connects students to campus resources and online educational tools that help you tackle your academics, career path, stress, and social life.

Housing

  • College Pads

    Platform to simplify the housing search, freeing up more time for your studies. If you’re seeking the perfect place to live during your college years, College Pads is here to streamline the process and make it more effective.

Social & Leadership

  • Arty's Orientation

    The perfect way to make the transition to college life at Aims. Attending in person will allow students to connect to the information, people, and resources needed to succeed on the first day of classes!

  • Campus Activities Program Board (CAP)

    Provides a variety of free events on all campuses including virtual activities. Topics covered range from physical and emotional wellness to multiculturalism and diversity to pure fun and entertainment.

  • Seeds Leadership Mentoring Program

    The Seeds Leadership Program is an opportunity for students to develop a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion as foundational principles for leadership that broaden students' perspectives and inform how they build community, meet life’s challenges, and achieve their goals.

  • Student Life

    Offers support and growth experiences through a variety of educational, social, and multicultural activities

Career & Professional Development

  • Career Services

    Provides students with the resources and tools to explore, discover, and pursue career goals, including: exploring, planning, coaching, assessment, job searching, resume and cover letter assistance, interview prep, employer connections, and more.

  • Student Job Board

    A centralized online job board for Aims students and alumni for discovering student employment, non-credit internships, or career opportunities throughout Colorado.