Eligibility Requirements

Two young woman and a young man smiling
  • All majors are eligible.
  • Full-time enrollment: student must be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester.
  • First-generation college experience: UMass Lowell defines a first-generation college student as someone whose parents or guardians have not completed a four-year college degree. However, we recognize that the first-generation experience can be broader and more nuanced. More inclusively, it may describe anyone who--because of family background, circumstances, or other factors - feels they cannot draw upon the college-related expertise of someone in their family network with direct experience in the U.S. higher education system.
  • Community engagement: students should demonstrate a willingness to be positive, contributing members of the campus community.
  • Students may participate in RHSA and other similarly positioned programs such as Honors College, Rising 360, Students Trained in Asian American Resource Support (STAARS) and the Asian American Leadership Conference (AALC).

Objectives

RHSA students will:

  • Activate their potential to make the most of their UMass Lowell experience and position themselves as emerging leaders on campus and beyond.
  • Engage in a supportive community of diverse, driven, and exceptional peers who share a commitment to growth and belonging.
  • Navigate the university with confidence by learning how to access key student resources such as the Centers for Learning, Advising, Learning Excellence and Achievement Pathways (LEAP), the Wellness Center and the Solution Center.
  • Build resilience and self-awareness by developing strategies to manage personal challenges, academic obstacles and the unexpected in healthy and productive ways.
  • Make intentional academic choices by aligning their course selections with their interests, goals and a clear understanding of their degree requirements and the Core Curriculum.
  • Contribute to the greater good by cultivating a sense of civic responsibility and giving back to the communities they belong to - including RHSA, the university, and the city of Lowell.

Benefits Overview

RHSA students have access to a wide range of benefits and opportunities designed to support their success, growth, and sense of belonging at UMass Lowell. These include:

  • A dedicated support team that prioritizes your learning, well-being, and personal development—including your RHSA Success Coach, assigned Faculty Advocate, and RHSA-UKG Peer Leader.
  • Access to RHSA courses and connections to a variety of student success and opportunity programs across campus.
  • Early move-in to on-campus housing for incoming first-year students.
  • Priority registration each semester to help you plan your academic path with confidence.
  • Student of the Month recognition to celebrate your accomplishments and contributions.
  • Study hours and tutoring to strengthen academic habits and build community.
  • Free workshops, sessions, and social events offered throughout the year to support academic achievement and connection with peers.
  • Paid opportunities for research, community engagement, and career-connected learning with faculty and fellow students, supported by mentorship from your RHSA Faculty Advocate.
  • Scholarship opportunities offered to students in RHSA.

During their first year in RHSA, students participate in the Year of Support, a foundational experience designed to help them understand how to succeed academically in their major, build their network of support, and engage meaningfully with the campus community. 

Throughout this year, students receive a variety of benefits and guidance. Upon successful completion, they gain access to the Years of Opportunity and Pathways to Career phases - where they can apply for additional benefits, professional experiences and leadership opportunities during their second through senior years.

Students in their Year of Support:

  • Attend RHSA Welcome Day, held on the Friday before fall classes begin, to meet peers, faculty, and staff and get a strong start to the semester.
  • Join a small “First Gen Pod” - a group of fellow first-generation students who share the same major, department, or college. Each pod is guided by a Faculty Advocate and a Peer Leader who provide mentorship and support throughout the year.
  • Participate in 75-minute Pod meetings every other week during the fall semester, led by their Faculty Advocate. These meetings are part of each student’s fall course schedule and focus on community building, academic strategies, and campus engagement. In the spring semester, pods maintain community through ongoing communication and events, with each student meeting at least once with their Faculty Advocate for a check-in.
  • Meet individually with their RHSA Peer Leader at least twice per semester for one-on-one check-ins focused on goals, progress, and support needs.
  • Attend at least two RHSA events per semester, choosing from a wide range of academic, professional, and community activities.
  • Complete a brief “pulse check” survey every other week to share updates, celebrate successes, and let RHSA know when additional support might be needed.
  • Access optional experiences such as the RHSA Living Learning Community, Teradyne Spring Active Immersion in Leadership (SAIL). SAIL is a leadership development program offered each spring), and individualized success coaching.

After successfully completing their Year of Support, students continue in RHSA by unlocking their Years of Opportunity - a phase designed to help them deepen their engagement, expand their networks and apply their learning beyond the classroom. 

During this time, students can opt into (or apply for) a variety of programs, courses, and experiences that strengthen their academic, professional, and leadership development. Students who enter the Years of Opportunity continue to enjoy priority course registration and priority access to RHSA events, scholarships, and special opportunities. 

Years of Opportunity programs and benefits include:

  • Engaged for Excellence scholarships
  • Elevate, a mentoring program for second years and above focused on leadership, connections, and career exploration
  • Continued access to the RHSA Living Learning Community for those living on campus
  • Ongoing success coaching to support academic planning, goal setting, and personal growth
  • Paid research, learning, and community-engaged positions
  • Leadership programs with scholarships including opportunities to serve as Peer Leaders and Team Leaders
  • Study Abroad experiences
  • Reading and Writing Fellowships

Pathways to Career programs focus on students in their junior and senior years in RHSA in helping them develop their career readiness and prepare to enter the job market or apply to graduate school with confidence. Students who want to take advantage of these opportunities can consider:

  • Pathways to Career, our co-curricular career readiness initiative
  • Partner with Career Services on Project Onramp, program for those looking for paid summer internships 
  • UMLO.2000, a 1-credit job search seminar for students in RHSA