Aspire Program
The Aspire Program is a community that supports and guides you through your first year at UWRF. Designed for incoming first-year students and new transfer students, Aspire pairs you with an experienced student who will support you throughout your first year and ensure that you’re well connected to the community and resources to make your college experience a success!
Why Aspire?
Start your UWRF social network and build a community of support while learning skills and strategies to maximize your success here at UWRF. Throughout the year, participants will:
- Engage in a mentoring program with a upper-class student and other first-year and new transfer students
- Attend events and programs that will support you in your college and academic career
- Participants will gain valuable insight into campus life from the perspective of our current students, faculty and staff
- Additionally, participants who complete the program may be awarded up to $500 after their first year at UW-River Falls that can go towards undergraduate research, studying aboard or an internship of their choice.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the program, applicants must be first-year students AND meet one of the three requirements:
- Identify as an individual from an under represented background
- Be a low-income (defined as those who are eligible to receive Pell Grants)
- Be a first-generation student (defined as neither parents completed a four-year degree)
Frequently Asked Questions
To join Aspire you must be a first-year student or a transfer student AND meet at least one of the three requirements listed below:
- Identify as an individual from an under represented background.
- Identify as low-income (defined as those who are eligible to receive Pell Grants).
- Be a first-generation student (defined as neither parents completed a four-year degree).
Applications are open until May 31 of each year for the following fall semester.
*Please note Aspire can take up to 30 students per year. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon meeting eligibility criteria and space availability.
New students who are accepted into the Aspire Program are paired with an upperclassman who has been attending UW-River Falls for more than one academic year. We try our best to pair new students who are otherwise known as "Mentees" with their mentor based on information shared on their application.
Participants receive guidance, support and encouragement throughout the academic year through various program activities. Mentors meet regularly with their mentee to discuss their needs, help connect them with resources around campus (such as tutoring, counseling and other academic support services), bring them to campus events and guide them to unique opportunities (such as leadership development workshops, grants and networking events).
No! The Aspire program is free to all accepted eligible participants!
Student Inclusion and Belonging
Office: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Lounge: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m; Closed on weekends
