Ignacio Student Support Services and First To Go Scholars Program

First-Gen Proud. First-Gen Strong. First-Gen Forever.

LMU is home to the First To Go Program, an on-campus network and resource for first-year, first-generation college students.

We look forward to you joining our growing first-gen community!

Class of 2028, applications are NOW open and will close in early May 2024.

All admitted and committed first-gen Lions are welcome to submit an application form below.

Submit Application Here!

Invitations to apply to the Scholars Program will also be sent to your LMU Lion e-mail--please check your LMU Lion e-mail regularly.

Didn't get an e-mail with the invitation and/or are a commuter student who will not be living on campus? E-mail us ASAP so we can assist you (isssftgscholars@lmu.edu)

For more information about LMU’s ISSS + First To Go program, email isssftgscholars@lmu.edu or call 310-338-7677. You can also read more about the program from the perspective of First To Go Scholar Victoria Arevalo.

The Ignacio Student Support Services (ISSS) and First To Go (FTG) Scholars Program is committed to supporting first-generation students in the following ways:
- Aiding the academic transition to LMU.
- Creating opportunities for career and graduate school exploration.
- Supporting students in building their social networks on and off campus.
- Connecting students to faculty and staff mentors.
- Exposing students to domestic and international travel opportunities.
- Offering personalized advising support.
- Encouraging peer-to-peer leadership communities.
- Cultivating a critical social justice mindset.
Students in this program will participate in various academic and extra-curricular requirements throughout their years at LMU. Participation in the program starts during the summer of students' first year at LMU. For the Class of 2028, the breakdown of participation is as follows:

During Summer 2024, students will be required to:
- Attend the Scholars' Summer Retreat Program
  - (Tentatively: Monday, August 12th, 2024 - Wednesday, August 21st, 2024)
    - Early move-in to campus provided for students living on campus in our living and learning community.
    - Commuter students will need to arrange transportation to and from campus during retreat dates.
- Reside in our Living Learning Community: First-Gen Forever (Housed in Del Rey South Residence Hall)
  - Students in the Scholars Program who will be living on campus must reside in our living and learning community, First-Gen Forever, housed in Del Rey South during their first year.
Please note: This program has an on-campus living component (First-Gen Forever Living and Learning Community). First-Gen Forever, LLC is a one-year commitment apart of the first-year requirements for students accepted to the Scholars Program. For students who apply to the program but will commute to LMU, the living component of this program is not mandatory.

During the Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 semesters, students are required to:
- Reside in our Living Learning Community: First-Gen Forever (Housed in Del Rey South)
- FALL 2024: Take our First Year Seminar Course during the Fall (Counts toward graduation requirements)
- SPRING 2025: Take our Rhetorical Arts Core Couse during the Spring (Counts toward graduation requirements)
- FALL 2024 and SPRING 2025: Take our First-Gen Scholars Courses both semesters. This is a 1-unit course. (Counts toward elective requirements)
Please note: All courses will be taken with your cohort throughout your duration in the program. All courses are taught by first-generation college student advocates and first-gen peers. You will receive more information on how to register/enroll for these respective courses after accepted into the program

During the Spring 2026 semester, students are required to:
- Take our Strategies of Career Development for First-Gen Students Course (Course is taken the Spring semester of your sophomore year).
During the Spring 2027 semester, students are required to:
- Take our After LMU: Adulting 101 Course (Course is taken the Spring semester of your junior year).
During the Fall 2027 – Spring 2028 academic year, students are required to:
- Meet for personalized career and/or graduate school advising (One-on-One meetings will be held throughout your senior year.)
[Scholar students will also have the opportunity during the Summer 2025 or Summer 2026 periods to engage in OPTIONAL International Travel Opportunities with the First To Go Program.]

Two ways to apply to the ISSS + FTG Scholars Program:

Via LMU Student Housing	Via LMU Admissions
Students will receive an invitation to apply for student housing. Students must fill out the LMU housing application and also submit an application for an LLC (Living and Learning Community). Students will find the LLC Housing applications on one of the tabs of the general student housing application. Find "First-Gen Forever" on the list of LLCs and submit an application. If the student received an invite to apply through Admissions but already filled out the Housing application, they do not need to submit another application.	Students will receive an invitation to apply to the ISSS + FTG Scholars Program to their LMU Lion e-mail address by mid-April of the year they plan to attend LMU. Students will then be directed to a WuFoo application form that will be linked in the invitation e-mail. The application will be video-response based. If student plans to live on campus, they must also complete an LLC Housing Application for First-Gen Forever. It is the same application.

Via LMU Student Housing

Via LMU Admissions

Students will receive an invitation to apply for student housing. Students must fill out the LMU housing application and also submit an application for an LLC (Living and Learning Community).

Students will find the LLC Housing applications on one of the tabs of the general student housing application. Find "First-Gen Forever" on the list of LLCs and submit an application.

If the student received an invite to apply through Admissions but already filled out the Housing application, they do not need to submit another application.

Students will receive an invitation to apply to the ISSS + FTG Scholars Program to their LMU Lion e-mail address by mid-April of the year they plan to attend LMU.

Students will then be directed to a WuFoo application form that will be linked in the invitation e-mail. The application will be video-response based.

If student plans to live on campus, they must also complete an LLC Housing Application for First-Gen Forever. It is the same application.

Is the on-campus living requirement mandatory for the first year?
- If you are choosing to live on campus, we ask that you choose our living and learning community. However, our program is open to commuter students.
Do I need to pay for any of these services?
- The only cost will be materials associated with the courses and fees for optional travel.
What if I am interested in joining another learning community (The Learning Community (TLC), Honors Program, etc.), can I still join the Scholars Program?
- Yes. We encourage students to apply to the programs of their interest. If a student is accepted into more than one program, program staff members will work out the logistics.

Ignacio Student Support Services and First To Go Scholars Program

First-Gen Proud. First-Gen Strong. First-Gen Forever.

Submit Application Here!

The Ignacio Student Support Services (ISSS) and First To Go (FTG) Scholars Program is committed to supporting first-generation students in the following ways:

Students in this program will participate in various academic and extra-curricular requirements throughout their years at LMU. Participation in the program starts during the summer of students' first year at LMU. For the Class of 2028, the breakdown of participation is as follows:

Two ways to apply to the ISSS + FTG Scholars Program:

Is the on-campus living requirement mandatory for the first year?

If you are choosing to live on campus, we ask that you choose our living and learning community. However, our program is open to commuter students.

Do I need to pay for any of these services?

The only cost will be materials associated with the courses and fees for optional travel.

What if I am interested in joining another learning community (The Learning Community (TLC), Honors Program, etc.), can I still join the Scholars Program?

Yes. We encourage students to apply to the programs of their interest. If a student is accepted into more than one program, program staff members will work out the logistics.