9.18
Kristina García
News Officer
klg@upenn.edu
First Generation Students
Support and inspiration for undergrads pursuing careers in health care
Support and inspiration for undergrads pursuing careers in health care
The three-day-long National Pre-Health Conference, the brainchild of rising senior Alejandra Bahena, begins Aug. 4.
Counselors at Student Financial Services help find success, not stress
Counselors at Student Financial Services help find success, not stress
As grant-based aid packages—bolstered by named scholarships—have helped Penn welcome more students who come from lower-income households, Student Financial Services (SFS) has ramped up its ability to assist their academic journeys, especially during the pandemic when students needed more support than ever. That includes having two counselors—Silvia Hanks and Jodi Wagner—who specialize in serving highly aided students at Penn.
Systemic barriers to college for low-income and nontraditional students
Systemic barriers to college for low-income and nontraditional students
The release of a higher education report reveals that nontraditional students have many risk factors and financial barriers to navigate to successfully complete their educational goals.
Celebrating the ‘incomparable’ Class of 2021
Celebrating the ‘incomparable’ Class of 2021
Penn’s 265th Commencement honored students who are defined by their inspiring growth, unrivaled resilience, gracious appreciation, and undoubted ability to create a better future for us all.
Increasing access for students on ‘Faculty Fridays’
Increasing access for students on ‘Faculty Fridays’
For the past few years, PennCAP has hosted “Faculty Fridays” as a means to better connect first generation, lower-income students with the University’s professors. These efforts have continued virtually during COVID-19.
COVID communications and first generation students
COVID communications and first generation students
Marcus Wright, undergraduate program manager and academic coordinator in the Department of Sociology and doctoral student at the Graduate School of Education, analyzes academic messaging to expose blind spots.
Class of 2025 Regular Decision admissions results
Class of 2025 Regular Decision admissions results
The University of Pennsylvania has announced admission decisions for Regular Decision applicants for the Class of 2025.
Student financial ambassadors promote financial wellness
Student financial ambassadors promote financial wellness
A new team of student financial ambassadors offer peer one-on-one counseling and workshops on personal finance basics as part of the program launched this spring.
Penn Trustees approve 2021-22 undergraduate charges and financial aid budget
Penn Trustees approve 2021-22 undergraduate charges and financial aid budget
The University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees approved a 2.8% increase in tuition for the coming year, while also approving a $259 million undergraduate financial aid budget.
A Move-In like no other
A Move-In like no other
Penn undergraduates start arriving on campus to move into College Houses during an extended eight-day period in keeping with pandemic health and safety protocols.
Media Contact
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
Penn student who aged out of foster care wins prestigious Rhodes Scholarship
May graduate Mackenzie Fierceton has been named a Rhodes Scholar, which will allow her to study at Oxford University in England.
FULL STORY →
The Washington Post
Bloomberg gift to Hopkins to help middle-income families as well as the poor
Vice President of Finance and Treasurer MaryFrances McCourt spoke about Penn’s endowment for undergraduate financial aid and its support for low-income students.
FULL STORY →
CBS News
Bay Area 1st generation college student’s background helping him excel
School of Arts and Sciences senior Victor Arellano was profiled for his summer interning with Motive Power, a San Francisco management consulting firm.
FULL STORY →
Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
UPenn provides support services for first-generation and low-income students
Admissions Dean Eric J. Furda and Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum, vice provost for university life, discussed Penn’s support system for first-generation and low-income students.
FULL STORY →
“Good Morning America,” ABC News
Student debt crisis: This 28-year-old mom is ‘drowning’ in $80,000 of debt
Penn’s loan-free, grant-based financial aid program was highlighted in a discussion of the burden of student debt. President Amy Gutmann was cited as a first-generation college graduate.
FULL STORY →
Christian Science Monitor
Ivy Degree – Now What? Low-Income Grads Struggle with Careers, Status
Low-income first-generation college students met at Penn in February for the fourth annual 1vyG conference, where President Amy Gutmann welcomed the scholars.
FULL STORY →