A Welcome from The Rice FGLI Community
Welcome to Rice, FGLI Owls!
We are excited to warmly welcome all of our First Generation and/or Limited Income (FGLI) students! At Rice, “FGLI” symbolizes a diverse and vibrant community whose unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives enhance our campus.
As a FGLI student, you embark on your journey with a wealth of experiences uniquely your own. Your identities, traditions, and the people and places that matter to you are vital to your success here at Rice and beyond. Each FGLI student possesses incredible strengths and may encounter distinct challenges, but through the highs, lows, and everything in between, remember you are never alone.
Student Success Initiatives (SSI) is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way. Our team provides one-on-one advising, peer mentorship, engaging programs, and connections to a wide range of campus resources—all crafted to help you thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. No matter the question or challenge, we're here to guide you and equip you with the tools you need to succeed.
Feel free to visit our office in the cloisters of the Student Center or reach out via email or phone. Even if you're uncertain where to start, SSI is always a fantastic place to begin your journey.
Being a FGLI student at Rice is a point of pride, and we celebrate your achievements and contributions to our community. We’re eager to get to know you, support your aspirations, and witness the incredible things you’ll accomplish!
Welcome to Rice, and here's to your success!
If you have any questions about the FGLI experience at Rice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at success@rice.edu or connect with our Executive Director of SSI, Araceli Lopez.
Thank you,
Araceli Lopez, MSEd.
A Few of Our FGLI Support Services
OWL Access is a pre-orientation program for first generation and/or limited income students and their families. Owl Access focuses on affinity group building and is an introduction to resources at Rice specific to FLI students. More broadly, Owl Access will have an overall goal of helping participants form connections and a better sense of community with other FLI students, student advisors, and with our faculty and staff. We will offer programming tailored to the parents of FLI students, with the intent of connecting them to resources designed to support their new Owl. This year, OWL Access is an invite only event.
New Families Orientation (NFO) is an opportunity for families and supporters to learn about Rice’s resources. NFO takes place on Sunday, August 17, 2025. NFO’s purpose is to introduce your supporters from home to life at Rice and answer any questions that they may have.
FGLI monthly events are open to all First-Generation and/or Limited Income undergraduate students. Hosted by SSI and our FLI Ambassadors, the events aim to build community while focusing on skill development and connecting students to on-campus resources.
FLI Ambassadors are undergraduate students who identify as first generation and/or low income. These students are passionate about creating a FLI community where students can relax, unwind, and build connections. Our FLI Ambassadors are excellent mentors, organize events and provide helpful tips to maximize your success at Rice. Click here to read more about your FLI ambassadors.
Holistic Advising is our office's approach to supporting all first gen and continuing gen students from all undergraduate levels at Rice. Common topics include study skills, engaging with faculty, time management, and building personal connections on campus. You can request an appointment with an advisor by clicking the appointment button below or by reaching out to success@rice.edu.
FLI Network Supporters is a training program for faculty and staff who want to learn more about their role in supporting FLI students in our community.
The Pantry the food pantry on campus, an anonymous resource for students that provides access to non-perishable foods and toiletries. The Pantry is located by the chapel in the Rice Memorial Center and is open M-F, 9am - 5pm.
The Access and Opportunity Portal (AOP) is available for undergraduate students who have non-emergency expenses that they are unable to meet due to financial constraints.