first generation low income – Penn Disorientation Guide

Penn Can Do More to Support FGLI Students

Picture shows a brown desk with a blue and red sign reading "Office of Student Financial Services." While resources exist, many believe that Penn does not provide enough support for FGLI students, especially in dealing with the psychological consequences of imposter syndrome. Photo courtesy of The Daily Pennsylvanian

Despite receiving varying degrees of financial aid, many FGLI students still struggle with their economic circumstances at Penn. Only 3.3% of students at Penn are from America’s bottom 20% of family income, while 71% are from the top 20% and 19% are from the top 1%. As a result, low-income students can feel extremely isolated.

A Recent History of Organizing at Penn

Less than a week after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, Penn students walked in solidarity across campus to show solidarity between the University community and Ukraine. A poster reads "Slava Ukraine Heroem Slava" among other phrases. Photo Courtesy The Daily Pennsylvanian

Over the past few years, the Penn community has rallied in response to injustice on and off campus. Every movement deserves to be discussed, but here are some of the most notable examples.