First Generation Students (FGS)

As a First Generation Student here at Western, we understand that you face different challenges from those students whose parents attended University.  In order to address those challenges, Western has a number of helpful resources in place for you. Click here to access our brochure that highlights our programs for First Generation Students.

Among these resources are:

Mentoring Programs

LAMP:  As an incoming First Generation Student, you can take advantage of the LAMP Mentoring Program (Leadership and Mentorship Program) which will help to guide you through your first transitional year of university life by pairing you with an upper-year student in a similar academic stream.  Not only will you benefit from your Mentor’s academic advice, you will also gain a greater understanding of the unique experience of a university student—advice about first year by someone who has “been there.”

GPS:  You can also take advantage of the GPS Mentoring Program (pdf) (Guide to Professional Success Mentoring Program) which will pair you with Alumni, staff, or a Community Partner.  These individuals will be especially helpful to students interested in exploring the possible career paths in particular academic fields.  The career decision-making of First Generation students can only be improved by exposure to the “real world experience” shared by their Mentors.

OMA:  First Generation Students who intend to pursue a career in the healthcare field may wish to learn more about Altitude Healthcare Mentorships offered to students by the Ontario Medical Association (OMA).  This is a unique, first-of-its-kind mentorship program that pairs you up with a medical student to help coach and prepare you through your undergrad journey.  Mentorship will be aimed at academic excellence, personal growth and development, social and cultural insight needed for a career in healthcare. Besides one-on-one mentorship, we have monthly workshops that will allow you to explore other careers in healthcare such as medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy etc.

If you are interest in being a part of this exciting program, please apply online by visiting altitudementoring.ca.

If you have any other questions, please email: info@altitudementoring.ca or join our facebook group at: facebook.altitudementoring.ca

First Year Resource Centre

The First Year Resource Centre is here to support and guide your first year experience at Western!  Stop by the First Year Resource Centre in the UCC, Room 251 and get your questions answered. The centre will be staffed by both Peer Mentors from the Leadership and Mentorship Program (LAMP) and Student Services Professionals from The Student Success Centre.   Our mission is to facilitate students’ successful transition to university life through academic, social and leadership development. We want you to succeed and we will work with you to make that happen!  The Resource Centre is open Monday – Friday 10:30-5pm. If you have questions, please contact us at fyresource@uwo.ca.

General Advice and Assistance

Part of the challenge of being a First Generation Student is that you may not know enough in the first place to know “what” to ask in the second.  After all, you need to have an understanding of the “big picture” before you can ask questions about it.  That’s where we come in.  If you need a general description of how any part of the University “works,” we can help.  If you have any questions about the process of choosing courses, about the concept of “modules,” about how or when to buy books, or, simply, about what may be expected of you at a specific time of the year, we have the answers.  The General Advice and Assistance component of our effort to help you recognizes that the university is a kind of massive “organism” with many working parts.  When you join our community, there are expectations (on your part and ours) about your role and responsibilities here.  Knowing as much as possible about your place in the community is an important first step to feeling like you belong.  So, if you have any questions or just want to talk to a sympathetic and knowledgeable individual who understands your concerns—an individual who may have been where you are—come to see us and let us help.  

Conversation Cafe

Are you interested in discussions about life's bigger questions?  Did you think university would provide you more opportunity to challenge issues and talk about provocative topics? If so, Conversation Cafe is for you!

We meet bi-weekly during the academic year. Our first meeting is Oct 5th from 7:30-9pm in the Grad Club (Middlesex College). Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

First Generation Student Bursary (for First Generation Students with demonstrated financial need)

The Government of Ontario allocates funding for First Generation Students through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities’ Access and Opportunities Strategy.  This bursary opportunity provides direct support to students with financial need who are the first in their families to attend a post-secondary institution.  The First Generation Student Bursary ranges from $1000-3500 dollars, and students with the highest financial need will be selected from the eligible submissions through the Financial Application Profile.

To be eligible to receive a First Generation Student Bursary, you must satisfy the following:

  • You must be a student whose parents have not enrolled in any post-secondary studies.  This includes full or part-time studies, in or outside of Canada, at any time, in any program.  Post-secondary studies will include college and university.
  • You must meet Ontario residence requirements. For more information visit the OSAP website.
  • You must be enrolled in the current 2011-2012 academic year at main campus.
  • You must have applied on the Financial Assistance Profile ("FAP") or Admission Bursary Application and have been approved for bursary/need based awards or work study.
  • The deadline for consideration of the First Generation Student Bursary is October 31.