Dear Triton Families,

As families of first-generation students, you may be navigating new systems, unfamiliar terminology and big decisions — all while supporting a student who is charting a path no one in your family has walked before. That’s no small thing, and I hope you feel immensely proud of all you and your student have accomplished to get here. I also hope you know that you and your student don’t have to navigate UC San Diego alone. Across campus, staff, faculty and fellow families are working intentionally to create spaces, resources and relationships that help first-generation students thrive academically, personally and financially.

The goal of this newsletter is to highlight those resources and spaces so that you and your student know exactly where to turn when questions arise. In this quarter’s edition, you’ll hear from first-generation staff who bring their own lived experiences into their work, discover campus resources that support students’ health and well-being, and find reminders about academic and financial tools designed to help students stay on track. You’ll also see opportunities for connection — because community matters, especially when the path feels new.

Your encouragement, perspective and belief in your student play a powerful role in their success. We hope this newsletter serves as both a resource and a reassurance: there is a network here to support first-generation Tritons, and you and your student belong in it.

Thank you for all that you do to support your student — and for being an important part of our first-generation Triton community.

Sincerely,
Margot Clifford
Director, Parent and Family Programs

Community and belonging are essential to student success. This section highlights efforts across campus to celebrate and foster first-generation community and spotlights individuals from across our Triton community who share their first-gen experience. 

First-generation staff spotlight: Louie Limas, Ph.D.

I’m a product of decisions that my grandparents and parents made long before me. Yes, I worked hard. You must work hard not to squander the opportunities that the previous generation has set up for you.

My mother was the first in her family to immigrate to America. She raised me as primarily a single mother, working several jobs, all while trying to perfect her English. She came home every night, taught me how to be responsible, made dinner and made sure I had a new pair of shoes every school year. She may not have had the opportunity to go to college, but I know everything she did was so that I could have a chance.

So how do I keep this effort going? My children certainly won’t be the first to go to college. But I want to make sure they can have other opportunities. I’m trying to save now so they don’t have to take out dreaded student loans. I want to provide extracurricular and travel experiences so that my children can become more culturally minded and consider career options that they otherwise would have known nothing about. I’m only able to provide this for my children because of the groundwork my mother and grandparents laid out. My hope is that this generational effort and mindset of gratitude, growth and success continues long after me.

Dr. Louie Limas is a psychologist and director of training at UC San Diego Counseling and Psychological Services. He is the liaison to APIMEDA Programs and Services, where he co-leads a community connection group called Unwind the Grind  — a perfect place for students to share their own stories.

College is about more than academics. This section highlights campus resources that support your student’s health, well-being and overall college experience so they can so they can thrive both inside and outside the classroom. 

Supporting your first-generation Triton: Meet Willo

Willo is UC San Diego’s student-designed app that helps your first-generation student stay connected, supported and thriving throughout their college journey. With Willo, your student can:

• Discover fun campus events like yoga, craft nights and social gatherings.
• Explore wellness programs focused on nutrition, stress relief and physical health
• Access free resources including Headspace, hygiene products, food assistance and campus discounts.
• Receive personalized recommendations for mental health, fitness, academics and financial wellness.

Willo helps students navigate campus with confidence by bringing together all of campus resources in one place. Encourage your student to download Willo today on Apple or Android to support their well being and success at UC San Diego.

Understanding UC SHIP

UC SHIP (University of California Student Health Insurance Plan) is the mandatory health insurance program for every registered UC San Diego student. The UC San Diego Student Health Insurance Office is dedicated to advocacy, education and support regarding the university's health insurance requirement. Below, first-generation staff from the Student Health Insurance Office share their perspectives and what they want families to know:

We know health insurance can feel confusing, especially if you’re learning it for the first time. Many of us were first-generation students too, and we remember how overwhelming it felt. That’s why we’re here — to walk you through it and make sure you’re not doing this alone.

- Viri, UC SHIP Coordinator

As a first-generation student, I learned how important it is to ask questions, keep track of deadlines and know where to go when you need routine care or help in an emergency. Our office is always here to support you, but taking a little time to prepare ahead of time helps you feel more confident and in control of your health.

- May, UC SHIP Coordinator

Student Health Services is the first stop for medical care with UC SHIP. If a waiver is denied, UC SHIP helps protect students from being uninsured — so no one has to navigate college health care alone. Visit the Student Health and Well-Being Administration website to learn more.

Connect with the Student Employment Office

Each student’s academic journey is different. This section focuses on resources and support systems at UC San Diego that help your student take full advantage of their academic ability, discover opportunities to excel, gain transferable skills and achieve.

Finding academic support on campus

Meeting the cost of an undergraduate education is a significant investment. In this section, you'll find resources dedicated to ensuring that students and families have the support and information they need to navigate financial challenges and build pathways to the future.

Reminder: Financial aid deadline

Colleges and universities use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans.

To receive priority funding, your student must file their FAFSA no later than the priority filing deadline. For 2026-27 the extended deadline is March 2, 2026.

Connect with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office

As parents and family members, you are important members of our Triton community. We hope you'll get involved and take advantage of all this community has to offer!