RISE Services and Resources

RISE supports Saint Louis University students who are first-generation college students, come from marginalized backgrounds, and are Pell Grant recipients with resources to help them reach success at SLU. See below for complete details on how RISE helps students.

Three students talk and select T-shirts from a table.

SLU hosts events to welcome students, including a day for first-generation college students.

RISE Counselor

All RISE students are assigned a RISE counselor as part of their success team. All students still have a primary advisor within their college who helps you understand the curriculum of your major. Your RISE counselor helps you navigate the world of SLU and college in general. With your RISE counselor, you have someone to help you work through challenges and celebrate your successes; they are there to help you identify and connect with resources across campus and in the larger St. Louis community.

Students in RISE are expected to meet with their RISE counselor anywhere from bi-weekly to a few times in a semester depending on where they are in their college journeys. These are minimums, students are always welcome to meet with their RISE counselor more often if they wish.

Students can schedule an appointment with their RISE counselor through EAB Navigate or by emailing them.

Unsure who your RISE Counselor is? Look at your success team in EAB or email riseprogram@slu.edu.

Student-centered Programming

Throughout the year, RISE students can engage in workshops, events, and socials that are focused on helping them build community, grow as students, and prepare for the next step in their journeys. All programming is designed with you in mind and at the heart of it.

We also welcome students to create programming for their peers! If there is something you are passionate about and want to share with others in the program, we are here to help make that happen. Our goal is to provide opportunities for learning and development throughout your time at SLU.

Tutoring

RISE students are eligible for a variety of unique individual and group tutoring options.

Standing Tutoring

In RISE, students may be eligible for standing tutoring, which provides them with a weekly one-hour tutoring session with the same tutor at the same day and time each week. To learn more about standing tutoring, check in with your RISE counselor.

Walk-in Tutoring

In addition to standing tutoring, RISE students have access to walk-in math and chemistry tutoring in BSC 354. With these sessions, students will be able to meet either one-on-one or in a small group with a trained tutor or faculty member to get help and guidance with their work. The dates and times for these sessions will vary by semester, but you can ask your RISE counselor for more information.

Writing Support

RISE students have access to a dedicated writing consultant who can help with any stage of the writing process — from brainstorming to final review, they can help you grow as a writer. Appointments are usually one-on-one, but workshops will also be available to focus on specific areas of need.

Peer Mentoring

Peer mentoring is available to our first-year RISE students to help with the transition to SLU. Our peer mentors are current RISE students who have been successful at SLU and have a desire to help new students adjust and feel welcome.

Scholarships

Students who are part of RISE have some unique scholarship and grant opportunities available to them: The Dr. Celerstine Johnson Book Award, and the SGA Laptop Grant Award.

Dr. Celerstine Johnson Book Award

The Dr. Celerstine Johnson Book Award competition takes place in the spring semester and helps to cover the cost of students’ books for the next school year. This scholarship is run by an organization outside of RISE but is only open to RISE students. Students will receive information on the scholarship application in the spring semester, and selected students will be notified of receipt of the award over the summer.

SGA Laptop Grant Award

This opportunity is available largely to incoming RISE students with some awards available to current students, and it provides students with a brand-new laptop free of charge. This award is provided through funds from SLU’s Student Government Association and is almost exclusively available to RISE participants.

Additional Scholarship Resources

Students can create a profile in SLU’s Scholarship Suite system that can help to identify opportunities students may be eligible for that are unique to SLU. Additionally, SLU’s Honors Program office can help you find and apply for post-baccalaureate scholarships, as well as for prestigious undergraduate scholarships, internships and research opportunities. Browse opportunities online or email honors@slu.edu for more information.

Financial Literacy

Having a basic understanding of personal finances, financial aid, budgeting, and financial health is important for a student’s future success. RISE will support students in this area of growth through workshops, one-on-one support and online certificate programs.