We're First-Gen Forever.
We look forward to you joining our growing first-gen community!
Class of 2030: Applications are OPEN.
Access our application HERE.
Deadline to apply: Monday, May 18th, 2026
Invitations to apply will be sent to your LMU Lion email, so please check your LMU Lion email regularly. If you don't receive an email with the invitation and/or are a commuter student who will not be living on campus, contact us at firsttogo@lmu.edu and/or xion.nelson@lmu.edu.
- Program Overview
- Program Requirements
- How to Apply
- Frequently Asked Questions
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The 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 2030, the breakdown of participation is as follows:
During Summer 2026, students are required to:
- Attend the Scholars' Summer Retreat Program
- Tentatively: Monday, August 24th, 2026 - Thursday, August 27th, 2026
- 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. The living component of this program is not mandatory for students who apply to the program but will commute to LMU.
During the Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 semesters, students are required to:
- Reside in our Living Learning Community: First-Gen Forever, housed in Del Rey South.
- Fall 2026: Take our First Year Seminar Course which counts toward graduation requirements.
- Spring 2027: Take our Rhetorical Arts Core Course which counts toward graduation requirements.
- Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: Take our First-Gen Scholars Courses both semesters. This is a 1-unit course which 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 2028 semester, students are required to:
- Take our Strategies of Career Development for First-Gen Students Course during Spring semester of your sophomore year.
During the Spring 2029 semester, students are required to:
- Take our After LMU: Essential Life Skills for the First-Gen Post-Grad Course during Spring semester of your junior year.
During the Fall 2029 – Spring 2030 academic year, students are required to:
- Meet one-on-one for personalized career and/or graduate school advising throughout your senior year.
Scholar students will also have the opportunity during the Summer 2027 or Summer 2028 periods to engage in optional International Travel Opportunities with the First To Go Program.
- Attend the Scholars' Summer Retreat Program
There are two ways to apply to the FTG Scholars Program.
Option 1: Via LMU Student Housing
- 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.
Option 2: Via LMU Admissions
- Students will receive an invitation to apply to the 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 Microsoft Forms 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.