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Vandals First Program
Office to Support First-Generation Students

The Vandals First Program (VFP) is an office designed to support students whose parents have not received a bachelor's degree, or students who may want additional support navigating the university setting. The program will facilitate the successful transition and ongoing success of students by providing academic, community-building and leadership services.

The Vandals First Program offers a range of services to all students on campus including:

Navigating the university system: Have a question but don’t know where to start? The staff can help answer questions!

Academic support and community building: Students interested in structured one-on-one support can participate in the Vandals First Cohort Program. This program offers proactive monthly advising, individual and group tutoring, orientation retreat, socials and more.

Monthly workshop series:  The VFP will partners with offices across campus to offer a monthly workshop series to help students succeed at the University of Idaho. Topics will include financial literacy, time management, career support, mental health, FAFSA and more.

PACE Mentoring Program: The Peer Advising on the College Experience (PACE) Program pairs students with upper-division student mentors. This program seeks to strengthen sense of belonging and enrich the educational experience of students through peer mentoring.

Recognitions and celebrations: The Vandals First Program recognizes and celebrates accomplishments of our first-generation students. VFP will collaborate and partner with departments on campus to plan and offer inspirational speakers and events throughout the academic year.

Your donation will support students with financial emergencies, retention and celebratory programming that will ensure students feel the sense of belonging at the University of Idaho.  


Participating Groups
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Athletics Homecoming, Alumni & UIRA Programming Arboretum College of Art and Architecture Student Scholarships College of Business and Economics Department of Student Involvement Education Abroad, International Programs Military & Veteran Student Services Building Children's Center Lionel Hampton School of Music College of Education, Health and Human Sciences College of Engineering Fraternity & Sorority Life U of I Centers Honors Program Student Affairs-Dean of Students College of Law College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Library McClure Center College of Natural Resources President's Excellence Fund Vandals First Program Raven Scholars Program Vandal Club Sport Teams College of Science Vandal Marching Band School of Health and Medical Professions
$2,500
Vandal Legacy Scholarship Challenge
Help build the Vandal Legacy Scholarship one rung at a time. When Vandals reach 150 gifts, a generous donor will unlock a total of $25,000 to support future generations of Vandals. Every gift helps the Honors College at University of Idaho get closer to their goal.
25 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,000
ICCU Vandal Promise Scholarship
For every 100 gifts made during Vandal Giving Day, $1,000 will be unlocked to Vandal Promise Scholarships, up to $10,000, thanks to our partners at Idaho Central Credit Union.
100 Gift Goal
Starts in
$5,000
Foundation Participation Challenge
Every gift counts—and now, every 500 gift unlocks an additional $5,000, up to $25,000 in bonus funds! The more Vandals who give, the more we unlock to support students, programs, and initiatives across the University of Idaho.
500 Gift Goal
Starts in
$500
The 1889 Challenge
The 1,889 gift receives an additional $500 to the fund of their choice!
1,889 Gift Goal
Starts in
Leaderboard
Leader of Ambassadors
The 10 ambassadors who inspire the most number of gifts throughout Vandal Giving Day 2026 will receive a $350 bonus to award to the fund of their choice!
Vandal Giving Day Ambassadors (158)
Event
Find Joe Vandal
There are 20 hidden Joe Vandals around campus. If you find one please bring it to the ASUI Lounge in the Idaho Student Union Building. You get to designate $100 to the fund of your choice.
Event
Payroll Deducation Bonus Challenge
Every new payroll deduction on April 7 and 8 will be automatically entered into a drawing for four $250 bonuses to the fund of their choice. Three bonuses each day will be awarded.
$50
First Time Donor Challenge
If you are an alumni or current student who has never before made a gift to University of Idaho, please consider making your first give today! Your gift of at least $10 (to any fund on Vandal Giving Day) will be matched with a $50 donation to the Vandal Food Pantry.
$10 Goal
Starts in
$500
Early Bird Challenge
Whoever makes the first gift on April 7 will earn an additional $500 to the fund of their choice!
1 Gift Goal
Starts in
$500
Faculty & Staff Challenge
The 250th gift from a faculty/staff member will win a $500 bonus for the fund of their choice!
250 Gift Goal
Starts in
Leaderboard
Kick Off Challenge
The top three funds that receives the most gifts in the first 10 hours on April 7 will unlock an additional $1,000 donation!
Kick Off Challenge (158)
Event
Procrastinator Award
The last gift to Vandal Giving Day receives an additional $500 bonus to the fund of their choice.
Event
Vandal Trivia
We're posting five trivia questions on X (formerly Twitter) and the first person to answer correctly gets to direct $100 to the fund of their choice. Be sure to follow @UIdahoAlumni to join in the fun.
Event
Sip & Select Challenge
We want to give our colleges some Vandal Giving Day love! Enter the Vandal Giving Day College Challenge. The college with the most votes at the Sip Station on Campus earns $250 to their designated fund. Stop by with your family and friends to support your college and University of Idaho!
Vandal Pride, Far and Wide!
Rank State Gifts
1 NONE 0
1 AA 0
1 AE 0
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Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at vandalsgive@uidaho.edu.