Please note that this resource page is in no way exhaustive (yet). This list will be continually updated as time goes on and new resources are discovered and/or created that may be especially helpful to our FGLI community.
FLI Library
Columbia’s FLI Partnership Library is a collection of textbooks and other course materials available to low-income and/or first-generation students from one of Columbia University’s undergraduate schools. Students who identify as first-generation or low-income and who register can borrow materials from the collection for extended loan periods – this means you don’t have to purchase textbooks and you might be able to borrow them for the semester!
FLI students can register to use this library by filling out the FLI Partnership Libraries Access Form. The purpose of this form is to create a confidential channel for requesting access to the FLI library, while ensuring that the collection serves its primary audience of FLI undergraduates. Please note that it may take some time to process the form, but the good news is that you should be allowed to check the textbooks out for a week as a temporary measure while your form gets processed.
Library spaces are open to current Columbia University students, faculty, and staff for study sessions and you can make reservations here. Students are also able to Ask a Librarian a question via email, phone call, text message or video chat.
ARC
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is dedicated to supporting the diverse nontraditional student body at GS in achieving academic excellence. It’s located at 601 W 111th St and Broadway, Second Floor, New York, NY 10025.
Lending Library – The ARC’s technology lending library includes laptops, a few scientific calculators and an iClicker. It is primarily intended to support students experiencing unexpected loss of access while they secure a replacement (e.g. borrowing a laptop from the ARC while a computer is being repaired or replaced).
Peer Tutoring –
Getting Things Done Group –
Academic Support Advising –
Other Academic Support
FGLI students are eligible for repeating appointments at Columbia’s Writing Center – While the writing center always offers FREE services, they also offer repeating appointments to international students, thesis and dissertation writers, first-generation college students, Mellon Mays fellows, Justice in Education students, military veterans, Pell Grant recipients, and those referred by the Office of Disability Services. This can be particularly helpful for University Writing semesters. They schedule repeating appointments from the first day of classes each semester until they run out, usually during the second week of the semester. During the beginning of each semester, there’s a form available to register for it on the homepage and, if you miss out on getting the repeating appointment, you can still get free help during the rest of the semester, appointments for the next 4 days open around midnight or 1 am each evening.
GS Newsletter Sign-Up – Fill out the survey and GS Office of Student Life will send you upcoming events, resources, and information throughout the semester! GS hosts ‘FLI Fridays’ which are low-cost and/or free events that are specifically for the GS FGLI community! They also perform school supply giveaways and winter coat/accessories drives to help the FLI community.
Transportation/Travel
NJ Transit/MTA discounts –
GS Student Life Subsidized Ticket & Initiative Form – The GS Student Life Office provides the opportunity for GS students to request subsidies for events and initiatives throughout the school year, sponsored by both recognized Student Groups and the Student Life office, in order support those with financial need. Applicants seeking a subsidized ticket may either be a current full-time or part-time GS student.
GSSC’s ’23-’24 Metro Card Request Form – Please request a 7-Day Unlimited cards that are for use on the Subway or Local Bus here!
Career
Center for Career Education (CCE) – LionShare, etc. FGLI students get given early access to events like employer meet and greets.
Federal Work-Study –
Columbia University Libraries Jobs –
Food Resources
Columbia Food Pantry – Fighting hunger while raising awareness throughout the entire University! The Food Pantry serves all currently registered students across Columbia’s 21 schools, colleges, and affiliates. Simply register online and place your order. There are no other criteria or no financial requirements, if you have a need, the food pantry is here to support you. Lerner Hall Hours: W & Th 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, 582 Lerner Hall, 2920 Broadway · New York, NY 10027 | Medical Center Location Hours: M & Th 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, 50 Haven Avenue · New York, NY 10032
Emergency Meal Fund – General Studies students should contact [email protected] to schedule a meeting with a staff member in 403 Lewisohn Hall to request assistance. It’s possible to get 6 emergency meal tickets that are usable at the Columbia dining hall locations on campus (John Jay, JJ’s Place, Ferris Booth Commons, Faculty House, Chef Mike’s Sub Shop, Chef Don’s Pizza Pi, and Grace Dodge at Teachers College).
Health & Wellness
First Generation Team in Counseling and Psychological Services – These are the staff members at Columbia Health that are part of the first generation team.
Columbia Health –
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) –
Disability Services –
Other Related Contacts
The General Studies Student Council (GSSC) has a First-Generation, Low-Income and Working Students Representative!
For another GS-student-focused individual, reach out to Ashley Moody-Astwood. She’s GS’s very own Assistant Director of Multicultural and Social Justice Initiatives and consistently fights on our behalf. We’re also lucky to have her as our wonderful FL@GS advisor!
Other Potential Contacts (Not Specific to GS and/or FLI)
FLI Alumni Network (CFLAN) – The mission of CFLAN is to create a strong, cross-generational community of Columbia alumni who come from a low-income background and/or were the first member of their family to earn a college degree in the United States. By providing support to one another, CFLAN helps to ensure the success of Columbia alumni and students for generations to come.
CU FLI Network Student Group is a student group who serves mainly FLI students from other Columbia schools. Connect with them: Email | GroupMe | Newsletter | Instagram
Multicultural Affairs – By subscribing to their listserv, you can receive email updates about DEI and social justice related events, opportunities, and resources throughout the year.
You can also opt into any or all of these email listservs that focus on specific community opportunities and events: