First Aboard – The Residential First-Generation Scholar Program

Qualifications:

  1. Must be a first-generation college student (neither of their parents/guardian(s) completed a post-secondary degree)
  2. Must be an incoming first-time, full-time student having applied and been accepted to East Carolina University
  3. Have some unmet financial need and will have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadline
  4. Those not being assisted through other programs on-campus such as Access, Honors, or other scholarships which cover more than ½ the cost of attendance

Year-One Award:

  1. Participants will receive $2000 in the Fall and $2000 in the Spring which will be applied towards the cost of attendance, assuming the student meets the program requirements and academic standards

Year One Requirements:

  • Students must live on-campus in university owned housing and have a residential board plan. Students will be placed together in one residence hall, which will be determined at the time of assignment
  • Students must meet every two weeks with their First Aboard mentor to report academic and personal progress
  • Students will participate in the First Aboard first year seminar (COAD) sections
  • Students agree to participate in academic coaching at the Pirates Academic Success Center, as determined by their First Aboard mentor
  • Students will participate in a service-learning project during Fall Break
  • Students agree to participate in a designated number of First Aboard Programs done in conjunction with the Office of Student Transitions (OST)
  • Students and parents will be asked to attend a designated First Aboard focused Orientation during the summer
  • Students will need to have a minimum of a 2.25 GPA after their first semester and a 2.5 after their second and subsequent semesters to remain in the program, in addition to meeting the other requirements.
  • Students agree to limit work to 15 hours per week on-campus (while classes are in session).

Year-Two Award:

  1. Having met and maintained program requirements, participants who remain/live on-campus for their second year will receive $2000 in the Fall and $2000 in the Spring, which will be applied towards the cost of attendance. Students who decide to live off-campus will not be able to continue in the program.

Second Year Requirements:

  • Students must meet every two weeks with the designated second year First Aboard mentor to report academic and personal progress
  • Students will work with a career coach in the Office of Career Services to ensure the student explores their vocational passions and pathways, including shadowing experiences, internships, externships, and graduate school options.
  • Students agree to pay it forward by peer mentoring first-year students in the First Aboard Program or another program (as agreed upon by their First Aboard coordinator) associated ECUs First Gen Forward distinction. Students can plan on meeting with their mentee every two weeks.
  • Students will assist Campus Living with recruitment events, fall and spring opening, and sponsor a fall activity
  • Students can apply to participate in the Fall Break service-learning project
  • Students agree to limit work to 15 hours per week while classes are in session.