Succeed from the Start
When asked what advice Duquesne student Caterina "Cat" Veneziano (pictured above) has for other first-generation college students like herself, she explained that
being first-gen can be challenging—but also so rewarding.
"It’s exciting to see the joy my family holds helping me pursue a dream they have had all their lives. Be proud you are a first-generation college student!"
"Find people you can rely on and trust to help you through the process," she encourages, "and make the most out of your college experience." At Duquesne, we're here to help you do just that.
Commitment to First-Generation Student Success
The FirstGen Forward Network provides a three-phase approach to scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes and build more inclusive institutional structures.
Learn more about Duquesne's commitment to first-generation student success.
First-Gen Life at Duquesne
Our first-generation college students—students whose parents or guardians did not
obtain a four-year degree from a college or university—receive direct support and
opportunities to engage in the many aspects of the Duquesne campus community.
Approximately 30% of all students at Duquesne University identify as first generation.
Here are just some of the ways we encourage our first-gen students to get involved:
- Attend our annual campus-wide recognition event for first-generation college students as part of the National First-Generation College Celebration.
- Connect with faculty, staff and administrators during various special events and workshops throughout the academic year.
- Start one-on-one conversations with staff at Duquesne about your first-gen experience at the University. Many staff were first-generation college students themselves!
- Attend community-building activities to connect you with upperclass first-fen students and alumni.
Our first-gen students have worked hard to get here.
We're so proud of them.
First Gen Students, Alumni & Leadership
First-Gen Resources for the DU Community
Explore the many first-generation resources available to our Duquesne University community.
Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion
Support and Skills-Based Groups
Our Duquesne Counseling Center offers free support groups and coping skills-based groups to all Duquesne students, with topics that reflect student needs. Examples of groups offered include: Study Skills, Body Compassion/Self-Image, Black Student Support, LGBTQ+ Support, New Student Adjustment, Stress Management and more.
For up-to-date information on groups offered, contact the Counseling Center via email, by phone at (412) 396-6204 or visit the Group Therapy and Psychoeducational Seminars webpage (DU log in required).
The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds
ReSolve Crisis Services
Call 1-888-796-8226 before a crisis becomes a crisis. Free 24/7 mental health support
is available to anyone in Allegheny County.
Hope for the Day
Find help near you. Locate resources such as food, healthcare, mental health, housing,
legal advice, education and more.
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money while in school, focusing on community service or their field of study, and is administered by participating schools. At Duquesne, you can work 15 hours a week at about $12 an hour.
FAFSA® can be taken away with unsatisfactory grades. Students should keep their grades aligned with school requirements.
Loans
- Direct Subsidized Loans are for undergraduates with financial need, and the government
pays the interest while you're in school. They are available to all students, regardless
of financial need, with interest accruing during school.
- Direct PLUS Loans are for parents of undergraduates or for graduate students. These loans need your parents to get approved. If denied, students may be offered more on their Direct Unsubsidized Loan.