You're making history, and we're honored to be part of your journey.
At Siena, we recognize the determination, strength, and courage it takes to be the first in your family to attend college. It’s more than a personal milestone; it’s a legacy in the making. Whether you're figuring out how to navigate financial aid, manage a full class schedule, or adjust to college life, know this: you are not alone. From day one, you’ll find resources, relationships, and role models who believe in you and who will help you believe in yourself.
You're the First But You're Not Alone
From academic support to financial aid and everything in between, Siena offers tailored resources to help first-generation students succeed. Use the quick links below or open the accordion to explore support areas in more detail.
Resources
Student Academic Success and Engagement is a comprehensive and integrated group of offices, centers, programs, and services designed to promote students’ learning, engagement, and persistence to graduation. Learn more about Academic Support and Success and Experiential Learning and Academic Achievement.
Clubs and organizations provide students with meaningful opportunities to explore interests, build community, and grow as leaders. With 90+ clubs and organizations, students can do something they love, learn something new, or support a favorite cause. Explore clubs and organizations.
Affordability and aid include scholarships, grants, loans, and personalized support designed to make college accessible and manageable. Learn more about financial resources.
Living on campus provides students with a welcoming environment where they can build community, form lasting friendships, and create a true sense of belonging. Learn more about housing and community living.
From first steps to finding home
"Growing up in The Bronx, I learned to make the most of what I had, from turning fire hydrants into sprinklers to commuting daily to school in Washington Heights. Raised by a single mom, I embraced my Afro-Latino heritage and the values of hard work and community. Entering Siena as a first-generation student, I faced challenges like navigating financial aid, choosing classes, and battling imposter syndrome, but programs like HEOP and mentors gave me the confidence to succeed."
- Jeremiah Davis, Class of 2024
"When I visited Siena on Accepted Students Day, I knew there was something special about this place. What I didn’t know then was how much it would shape me. From service trips and campus involvement to the encouragement of professors and mentors, Siena has given me opportunities to grow and a community that feels like family."
- Nev Bergen, Class of 2027
"No one will know you are first-gen and there is no target on your back, so come in with confidence. Siena is just as much yours as it is every other student’s. Think of Siena like a wet sponge and wring it out for everything it has to offer while you are here.”
- John Bond, Director of Graduate Programs and Adjunct Professor in the School of Business
a community that gets it
Being first does not mean figuring it all out alone. It means leading the way.
At Siena, we see our first-generation students as trailblazers. You are courageous, capable, and full of promise. We’re committed to walking beside you throughout your college experience, connecting you to people and programs that help you thrive academically, socially, and professionally. You’re building a foundation not just for your future, but for the future of your family and community.