Thousands of BU students are the first in their families to attend college or to seek graduate and professional degrees. We proudly call them “Terrier F1RSTS.” We admire the resilience and self-reliance of these trailblazing students and strive to provide practical resources to help them succeed. Get to know some of our Terrier F1RSTS by checking out the videos on the “Learn More” page.
What is a first-generation undergrad student? A student in the first generation of their family to go to college (i.e., a student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn bachelor’s degrees, although elder siblings and cousins may be attending college already or have earned four-year degrees). What is a first-generation graduate/professional student? A student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did […]
Briana is a first-generation college graduate and worked at the Newbury Center during her undergraduate degree. She has now graduated from BU twice within the past three years.
BU Photographer Cydney Scott highlights a moment where the undergraduate student speakers shared what graduating means to them and their families through a photo at the first-generation pinning ceremony on May 15, 2026.
Kim Nguyen (CAMED’26) & Kim Ta (CAMED’26) share their experiences at BU and finding community at the Newbury Center as graduate students. Read the BU Today article.
Newbury Center Summer Fund Application Now Live for 2026 The Newbury Center Summer Fund is a selective program designed for a small cohort of first-generation undergraduate students. It provides a living allowance stipend of $4,500 to support participation in experiential learning opportunities during the summer. It is funded from a generous donation to the Newbury Center. […]
First-Generation Graduation Pinning Ceremony 2026 Graduation is always a reason to celebrate, but it’s an especially proud occasion for first-generation students. Before Commencement each May, we hold a pinning ceremony to celebrate BU’s first-gen graduates. Each student participating in the ceremony invites a guest—a family member or other supporter—who will have the honor of “pinning” […]
By Maha Uddin Just last week on March 26, the Newbury Center celebrated the launch of Elevate Magazine, created by and for first generation college students at Boston University. The event was intimate and the audience was full of artists and writers who had graciously contributed to the magazine. It was refreshing to finally put […]
Boston University's Spring Induction Ceremony for the Gamma Iota Chapter of the Alpha Alpha Alpha National Honor Society took place on April 7, 2026 at 6PM EDT. We welcome these inductees to the Boston University Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society: Undergraduate Student Inductees Undergraduate Student Inductees Graduate & Professional Student Inductees Graduate & […]
Boston University is proud to have been named a FirstGen Forward Network institution. This designation recognizes our commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.