Vandals First Program
Newly Established Office to Support First Generation Students

The Vandals First Program is a newly established 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 Office 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 VFO staff can help answer your question! Drop by anytime during regular office hours.

Academic support & 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: Starting in Fall 2025, the VFO will partner 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 Office recognizes and celebrates accomplishments of our first-generation students. The office will collaborate and partner with departments on campus to plan and offer inspirational speakers and events throughout the academic year.


Participating Groups
Agricultural and Life Sciences Athletics Homecoming, Alumni & UIRA Programming Art and Architecture Student Scholarships Business and Economics Lionel Hampton School of Music Vandal Brand Meats Study Abroad & International Programs Children's Center Education, Health and Human Sciences Engineering Fraternity & Sorority Life UI Centers Honors Program Vandals First Program Law Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Library McCall Field Campus McClure Center Military & Veteran Services Natural Resources Raven Scholars Program Recreation and Wellbeing Science Vandal Food Pantry Idaho 4-H Vandal Marching Band School of Health and Medical Professions
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Vandal First Generation Match
Empower the next generation of Vandals! During Vandal Giving Day, every gift to the Vandal First Generation Scholarship helps first-gen students achieve their dreams. And now, your impact goes even further—thanks to a generous $5,000 gift, every gift will be matched dollar for dollar for $5,000.
$2,500
John Hoyne New Vandal Donor Challenge
This Vandal Giving Day, we’re calling on 15 new donors to step up! When 15 new donors give, a $2,500 challenge gift will be unlocked, helping provide food and essential resources to students in need. Thank you to alumnus John Hoyne '96 for his support.
15 Gift Goal
Starts in
$500
Faculty & Staff Challenge
The 250th gift from a faculty/staff member will win a $750 bonus for the fund of their choice!
250 Gift Goal
Starts in
$5,000
Foundation Participation Challenge
Every gift counts—and now, every 500 gifts 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
Event
Procrastinator Award
The last gift to Vandal Giving Day receives an additional $500 bonus to the fund of their choice.
Event
Vandal Trivia
5 Trivia Questions on "X" and the first person to answer correctly gets $100 to the fund of their choice. Be sure to follow @UIdahoAlumni
Event
Payroll Deduction Bonus Challenge
Set up a new payroll deduction on April 1 or 2, and you could win a $250 bonus! Two lucky employees will be randomly selected, so start giving and get rewarded for your Vandal pride!
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Jim & Tedde Reid College of Business & Economics Scholarship Match
College of Business & Economics is preparing to educate Vandals for the next 100 years! Every gift to the College of Business & Economics Scholarship fund will be matched up to $5,000 thanks to Jim & Tedde Reid!
$500
Early Bird Challenge
Whoever makes the first donation on April 1 will earn an additional bonus $500 to the fund of their choice!
1 Gift Goal
Starts in
$1,889
The 1889 Challenge
To honor the year University of Idaho was founded the 1,889 gift received will earn an additional $1,889 to the fund of their choice!
1,889 Gift Goal
Starts in
Leaderboard
Kick Off Challenge
The top three funds that receive the most gifts in the first 10 hours on April 1st will unlock an additional $1,000 donation!
Kick Off Challenge (165)
Event
Find Joe Vandal
There are 15 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
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 for their designated fund. Stop by with your family and friends to support your college and the University of Idaho!
Event
Dean of Students Ambassador Challenge
Blaine Eckles, Dean of Students has challenged all staff in Student Affairs to support Vandal Giving Day as Ambassadors. The Ambassador who brings in the most gift will be able to add a $500 bonus to the fund of their choice!
Share on social using #VandalsGive
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.

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