Resources for FLI Students

Source: https://advising.stanford.edu/current-students/advising-student-handbook/fli-students Parent: https://advising.stanford.edu/

Stanford has a vibrant and engaged first-gen and/or low-income (FLI) community. We are committed to supporting all our students on their academic journey. And while college can sometimes be a tough experience, your Academic Advisors are here to help you along your way.

First and foremost, welcome! We know it wasn’t easy to get here, and the fact that you made it is a testament to your talent and hard work. At the same time, we know that Stanford can be a challenging environment for everyone.

Your Academic Advisors have seen a lot of students pass through this campus over the years. And we’ve learned that what makes for a successful Stanford student isn’t necessarily your intelligence or abilities. Getting into Stanford already demonstrates that you have talent and smarts. The most successful students learn when and how to ask for help when they need it, and aren’t afraid to make use of all the resources available to them.

That’s it. That’s the secret to Stanford success. Have the courage to ask for help, and take advantage of your resources. Here's where you can find out more about:

Advising Resources\ Not sure how to navigate college? Ask your Academic Advisor!

Academic Resources\ Get free tutoring and help for Stanford courses.

Community and Wellness Resources\ How to take care of yourself and find your people.

Career Resources\ Worried about jobs or internships? Stanford can help!

Financial Resources\ Financial tips and resources to help you thrive.

Advising Resources

Every Stanford student is assigned an at the start of the new school year. We know Stanford is a confusing place, and we're here to help! We can offer advice on academic issues like choosing courses, picking a major, fulfilling your requirements, and applying for research grants. But it's also fine just to come chat with us about how you're doing and how college is going for you.
You can sign up for a meeting with your Academic Advisor through an easy online system. It just takes a few clicks, and you don't have to ask for permission first! Many times you can sign up for a meeting with us on the same day, or on the next day. Most of us also have drop-in hours at certain days, times, and locations where you can just swing by without an appointment.
Your Academic Advisor can help with general questions about preparing for medical school or law school. Once you become more certain of your plans and want to discuss the choice of program and the application process in greater detail, you can also schedule a meeting with one of our terrific pre-professional advisors!
For AY 2024-25, during each quarter from Weeks 2-10, we have rotating Academic Advisors offering drop-in hours on Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 pm at the FLI Student Success Center (FLISSC). During drop-in hours, feel free to stop by with any and all academic-related questions, no appointment necessary.
During our drop-in hours at the FLISSC, we also have advisors from Stanford's Career Education Center, Undergraduate Research, and from the Haas Center for Public Service available in case you want to talk to someone about internships, resumes and cover letters, or career development; about exploring your research options at Stanford; or about getting involved with public service.

Academic Resources

CTL Tutoring (offered through the Center for Teaching and Learning) offers one-on-one appointment tutoring for specific classes in Foreign Languages, Math, Chemistry, Physics, Bio, Econ, and more. They also offer drop-in tutoring at certain times and locations, including your local cafeteria, library, or community center!
There are a few other places on campus where you can find subject tutoring, including the Physics Tutoring Center, the LaIR and the Black Lair (both for CS) and the Stanford University Mathematical Organization (for the Math 50 series).
The ACE Program offers additional support courses for Math 19, 20, 21, 51, 52, and 53; CME 100 and 102; and CS 106A, CS 106B, and CS 107. Fill out an application form on the ACE site if you are interested in enrolling in any of these companion courses.
The Program in Writing and Rhetoric (PWR) offers a PWR 1 Studio for Multilingual Writers, a 1 unit companion course to PWR 1 for students who grew up writing and speaking in a language other than English. They also offer a PWR 1 Workshop, a companion course for any student seeking extra support with their writing skills.
The Hume Center offers both drop-in and appointment tutoring to help you hone your writing skills. They also have oral communication tutors that can help you improve your public speaking and presentation skills. Visit their website to learn more, and to sign up for an appointment or find out about drop-in hours.
Academic Skills Coaches can help you build up new study skills for college, learn to take notes more effectively in class, get through your readings more efficiently, and become better at time management.
If you’re a varsity athlete, you can also visit the Athletic Academic Resource Center (AARC) for tutoring and advising.
The Student Learning Programs (through the Center for Teaching and Learning) helps students tailor their learning strategies, find a learning partner, work with other students, and understand their learning profiles.
The Schwab Learning Center at CHC supports students with learning differences, and can also help students who wish to be evaluated for potential learning differences. Schwab services are free for Stanford students.
If you have a disability affecting your academics and are seeking accommodations, the Office of Accessible Education can help you get the support you need.

Community and Wellness Resources

The FLI Student Success Center (FLISSC) offers community support, programs, mentoring, and special funding opportunities for first-generation and/or low-income students.
Stanford’s First Generation/Low Income Partnership (FLIP) is a student group dedicated to supporting and advocating for the FLI community, as well as fostering cross-class dialogue around important issues. You can contact them at stanfordflipcore@gmail.com; they will do their best to get back to you in a timely fashion!
FLIP also runs the helpful we_the_flip mailing list, which can keep you informed of community events and allow you to connect with other FLI students and their allies.
Joining one of our seven community centers at Stanford can be a great way to find people you connect with. The community centers also host a number of academic resources, networking, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, and can help you get engaged with a broader community.
The Guardian Scholars Program (formerly known as Fostering Connections and as the Hemlock Scholars Program), co-sponsored by the FLI Student Success Center (FLISSC) and Stanford FLIP, is a community group supporting students who are current or former foster youth, emancipated minors, and those who come from non-traditional family backgrounds.
It's important to find ways to focus on your health, happiness, and well-being at Stanford. Our list of on campus can give you a place to start!

Career Resources

Stanford Career Education (Stanford’s career center) offers career resources for FLI students including a FLI alumni mentoring program, FLI career trips and alumni talks, and other programs for supporting FLI students who are exploring their career options.
You can get more fantastic career advice from Stanford alums through the Stanford Alumni Mentoring program as well as the Stanford Alumni Association.
Interested in a career devoted to community and public service? Check out the fellowship and internship programs offered by the Haas Center for Public Service.
Are you a federal work-study student? The Haas Center for Public Service also runs the Community Service Work-Study Program (CSWS), which can help you find summer and academic year employment opportunities that meet your financial needs while also benefiting the community.
The Stanford On & Off-Campus Learning Opportunities (SOLO) site is a great place to search for work and research opportunities outside the classroom.

Financial Resources

If you ever have an enrollment hold placed on your account by Student Financial Services, keep your informed of your situation. We can pass along appropriate information about your circumstances to the Registrar’s Office while you are resolving your situation. We can also guide you on how best to contact instructors about your situation, and what to do if you miss any enrollment deadlines.
Keep all of your receipts for books and course materials! If you are on financial aid, you can request additional funds if you surpass your course-related books and supplies allowance for the academic year (currently $1305). For more information, check out Financial Aid's Student Budget page. Click on the "?" next to the "Books and Supplies Allowance" to learn more.
Got questions about your university bill, or about a financial hold on your account? You can talk to a representative of Student Financial Services by contacting the Student Services Center. You can also reach them by phone at 866-993-7772.
Want to talk about your financial aid package, or about a change in your financial situation? Staff at the Financial Aid Office are available for online consultations. You can book a Financial Aid advising appointment here. You can also email them at financialaid@stanford.edu.
For expenses that the Financial Aid Office can't cover, be sure to check out the FLI Student Success Center (FLISSC)'s Opportunity Fund which can offer additional financial assistance if you’re facing an unexpected hardship (e.g. a one-time laptop repair) or pursuing an academic or professional opportunity (e.g. attending a conference).
Want to get funding for an independent project? Start learning about Stanford's many undergraduate research grants here. (And go to your Academic Advisor to learn more!)
If you participate in a BOSP study abroad program during the academic year, your study abroad quarter will be covered by Financial Aid, including travel costs and a potential one-time grant to help with any additional study abroad costs. For more information, check out these pages on financing study abroad from the Financial Aid Office and from the BOSP office.
Interested in applying to a fellowship and getting financial support for your undergraduate or post-graduate studies? Check out the Stanford fellowships website here.
Mind Over Money is a campus group led by Student Financial Services dedicated to helping all students learn how to make informed financial decisions during their time at Stanford and beyond. They offer special events, financial coaching sessions, and online resources to help students learn to navigate their personal finances and get their questions answered.
The Financial Literacy FLI Guide is a FLI community publication sponsored by Mind Over Money and the FLI Student Success Center (FLISSC) that offers strategies for navigating personal and academic expenses, making money on campus, and other important student finance topics.

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