Jayhawk JumpStart
JumpStart is a first-year transition experience designed to help over 200 first-generation and Pell-eligible students successfully navigate the move to college life.
JumpStart Application Timeline
JumpStart Participant Requirements
Jayhawk JumpStart is offered by invite-only to students who meet the following requirements:
- Incoming first-year, first-time student in the Fall 2026 term.
- First-Generation College Student and/or Pell Grant eligible
- Not planning on participating in Marching Band, ROTC, KUEST, or Sorority Recruitment and are not an international student. These programs have their own events that conflict with JumpStart participation.
- Able to participate in the full week of activities at Jayhawk JumpStart (August 16th through 20th, 2026)
Incoming students who are eligible based on their KU application materials will be emailed by the Hawk Link team on the week of May 20th. If you do not meet the criteria or did not see an invite and are interested, please email HawkLink@ku.edu directly.
JumpStart 2026: August 16th through 20th
Frequently Asked Questions
For undergraduate students: Being a First-Generation undergraduate student means that neither your parents or guardians have a bachelor's degree.
For graduate students: Being a First-Generation graduate student means you are in the first generation of your family to earn a bachelor’s degree and are now earning a graduate or professional degree.
Students will be expected to fully participate in all daily programming from August 16th through 20th. See above for a condensed view of the daily schedule.
Aside from the family specific event on August 16th there are no other opportunities for engagement for parents/families during JumpStart.
Students will move-in Sunday, August 16, 2026, start time will be determined and communicated by KU Housing for on-campus students.
Students will move in and be ready for check-in and required programming on August 16th.
Families will have the opportunity to attend a family specific event on move-in day as well.
Jayhawk JumpStart is free for participants and Hawk Link will cover early move-in fees with KU Housing and meals during the week of JumpStart. Once KU dining plans begin (usually on the last day of JumpStart), students will be responsible for their own meals.
Mrs. E's is the dining location we use. This includes students living off campus and in the scholarship halls.
Students with campus meal plans will not be required to use their meal plans until their meal plans start.
No. Currently, the program prioritizes the experiences of first-time full-time freshman.
Hawk Link Programs for First-Gen Students
Jayhawk JumpStart
Tri-Alpha at KU
Mentored Scholars Program (MSP)
Other First-Gen Support Services
First-Gen Forward Institution
The University of Kansas is a NASPA-designated First-Gen Forward Institution and campus partners collaborate to host the events for the First-Generation College Celebration (FGCC) which is an annual opportunity celebrated nationally to raise awareness of the first-generation college student identity by advancing an asset-based, national narrative of these students’ experiences and outcomes.
