First Generation

Soar’s First Generation Program is designed to help you establish academic success by providing personalized coaching and advising, facilitating the development of individual academic success plans, and formalized connections to campus resources and supports.

You are considered First Generation if your parents have not completed a 4-year college degree. Participation in Soar’s First Generation Program establishes a foundation of success at UNC through a structured approach to personalized proactive coaching and advising in an inclusive and caring environment.

How do I know if I am First Generation?

You are considered first generation if neither your biological nor adoptive parents have completed a 4-year college degree.

Am I a first generation student if my parents started college or university and did not finish their degree?

Yes. If your parents took a few college classes or even completed community college, you will be considered first-gen.

Am I first generation if other members of my family (step-parents, siblings, grandparents) went to college before me?

Yes. Being a first-gen student means that your parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other family member’s level of education. Older siblings and family members who attended college may be a great resource as you navigate your college journey!

Academic Coaching

Academic coaching takes a holistic view of student support. During appointments, academic success coaches will check in on academic progress and see how classes are going.

Additionally, our coaches are able to help students get connected to support services on campus such as the Counseling Center, the Disability Resource Center, Cultural and Resource Centers, and Tutoring.

In the spring semester, academic success coaches will make sure that you are submitting your FASFA for the upcoming school year. The academic success coaches in our office are a point of contact for any issue or question a student may have.

Your Success Coach

You are expected to meet with your success coach regularly. At the beginning of the semester, you will create an academic success plan with your success coach.

It is important that you check your BearMail once a day to make sure you are receiving important information from our office as well as other areas within UNC.