A first-generation college student, or first-gen, is a student whose parents or guardians have not completed a four-year degree in the United States at the start of their program. This means that even if your parent or guardian earned a four-year degree after you were enrolled in college, you would still be considered first-generation. Additionally, if your parent or guardian earned a degree from a country other than the United States, you would still be considered first-generation.

Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society is a nonprofit (501(c)3) chapter-based membership organization located at colleges and universities within the United States. An active Tri-Alpha chapter promotes academic excellence and provides opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and campus and community service for first-generation college students.

Induction into Tri-Alpha is earned by outstanding academic achievement and lasts for a lifetime. The Society’s mission is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-generation college students pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accredited institutions of higher learning.

• The opportunity to meet other first-generation scholars and join them in promoting academic excellence and creating a supportive environment for first-generation college students.

• Leadership opportunities with the Delta Beta chapter at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

• Identifies you to employers, professionals, and graduate schools as a person of superior academic ability and commitment.

• An outward recognition of personal accomplishment and an incentive for continued high scholarship.

• Members receive a certificate and pin signifying membership. Membership is for life.

First-generation college students*, staff, faculty, and UAF alumni are eligible to be inducted. Non-first-generation staff and faculty may be inducted through an honorary status if they are demonstrated active advocates of first-generation students.

*See eligibility requirements

Tri-Alpha membership is by chapter invitation to individuals who complete the application and meet all the criteria. The steps to become a member are:

1. Submit an application

2. If you meet the criteria, you will receive a formal invitation to join Tri-Alpha, including information about the induction ceremony and membership fee payment.

3. Do your best to attend the induction ceremony

4. Individuals officially become members at the induction ceremony but can participate in chapter activities as conditional members

Undergraduate Students

• Registered full-time in a degree-seeking program (Associate's or Bachelor’s degree)

• 3.2 out of 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)

• Neither parent(s) nor guardian(s) earned a bachelor’s degree prior to the student beginning their program

• Earned at least 30 credit hours

• Lifetime national membership dues are affordable: $20 ($10.00 fee for students going to the national office, plus $10 local chapter fees)

  • • Although it is expected for students to cover the $10 induction fee, we do not want there to be a financial barrier for applicants. Please contact a Tri-Alpha Advisor via email if you need financial assistance

    • Membership fees are due at the date of the induction ceremony

Graduate Students

• Full-time and part-time graduate students who have earned 9 credit hours or more. This allows for first-semester students to apply if they will be earning 9 credit hours by the end of the Fall semester due to the Spring induction ceremony.

• 3.5 out of 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

• Neither parents nor guardians earned a bachelor’s degree prior to the student beginning their undergraduate program

• Lifetime national membership dues are affordable: $20 ($10.00 fee for students going to the national office, plus $10 local chapter fees)

  • • Although it is expected for students to cover the $10 induction fee, we do not want there to be a financial barrier for applicants. Please contact a Tri-Alpha Advisor via email if you need financial assistance.

    • Membership fees are due at the date of the induction ceremony

Faculty/Staff, Alumni, and Honorary Inductees

Faculty, staff and alumni may be inducted by the local chapter if they completed a baccalaureate degree, were a first-generation college students at the time they graduated, and continue to have a connection to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Lifetime national membership fees are currently $40 for faculty, staff, alumni, and honorary inductees. Membership fees are due at the date of the induction ceremony.

For honorary inductees, the candidate may have been a first-generation student or be an advocate, supporter, or mentor for first-generation college students, so long as they are clearly connected to the institution housing the chapter, through activities such as (but not limited to) volunteering, donating, mentoring, or serving as a trustee.