Resources for FGLI Students: From Professional Connections to Textbook Access 

Posted bypenndisorientationguidePosted inResources - 2023Tags:, ,

by Anonymous

For students arriving at Penn, the flood of resources, clubs, and activities can feel daunting—especially for first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students. On top of balancing socials, academics, and extracurriculars, FGLI students may have to balance limited budgets. They may also seek to find communities of students who come from the same backgrounds or share similar perspectives. Below is a set of resources that FGLI students can use to make their transition to Penn as seamless as possible.

Finding a Community 

  1. Penn First: a student-run group dedicated to fostering a community of FGLI students. Penn First is a useful resource that offers professional development and supportive social resources! Student learning communities, like Penn First, offer indispensable resources that are built around your first-year living experience. For more information on additional FGLI-associated clubs for your first year and beyond, explore the Penn Clubs website. 
  1. Penn FLASH: allows students to build a network of other FGLI students and alumni, which can be useful to current FGLI students for career-building opportunities.  
  1. Penn Libraries:  Being a student at Penn grants free access to many subscriptions and services, such as the New York Times or the Washington Post. 
  1. GIC Community Pantry (3708 Chestnut Street): Offers the option for students to grab microwavable breakfast and non-perishable food items to save time or money on cooking, useful for any time you are in a rush to class. 
  1. Penn First Plus: Penn First Plus is a resource to help with textbook codes and accessing the resources provided by Penn Libraries. You can also borrow textbooks from the GIC collection at Penn’s library, which can be done after signing onto the GIC community. 
  1. Financial Aid Counseling: can help students review their current aid packages for information on aid in the acquisition of course materials, which can help save money on necessities such as textbooks. 

To new students—and even current students seeking to learn more about the resources around them—DG hopes this guide eases your transition into campus life! 

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