Frequently Asked Questions

Membership is handled at the local level. Please contact the chapter advisor at your current institution. If your school does not have a chapter, we encourage you to speak with a faculty or staff member about starting one! Contact us if you are unable to locate your chapter advisor.

Yes. If you began your college journey as a first-generation student, you remain eligible regardless of your parents' subsequent educational achievements, provided you meet all other induction criteria. 

Eligibility is determined by your local chapter. Some institutions define "first-generation" as parents not having a U.S. degree. Others look at how similar the foreign higher education system is to the U.S. model. Please consult your Chapter Advisor for a final determination. 

No. Once you are inducted, you are a member for life, regardless of future changes to your GPA. 

Tri-Alpha is an honor society. Since a 3.0 is the standard for "good standing" in most graduate programs, a 3.5 threshold ensures that induction remains a distinct academic honor.

Every inductee receives a certificate of membership and a Tri-Alpha membership pin. 

You do not need to order pins separately. They are automatically included in the membership fee and sent to your Chapter Advisor based on the number of inductees reported. 

No. Honor cords are an optional purchase ($20 plus shipping) available for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. 

Our cords are navy blue and silver/grey.

Associate’s Degree: A single braided strand.

Bachelor’s Degree (and higher): A double braided strand

Yes, with restrictions. You may change the background color of tablecloths or apparel to match your institutional colors, but the Tri-Alpha logo is trademarked and its shape, elements, and content must remain unaltered. 

Please contact our National Headquarters with any questions: Info@1stgenhonors.org

Yes. You can access copies of our logo here. 

Please contact our National Headquarters with any questions: Info@1stgenhonors.org

Yes. You may be inducted as an alum if you met the first-generation criteria at the time of your graduation. Please contact the Chapter Advisor at your alma mater to coordinate. 

No. For faculty, staff, and alumni, the focus is on their status as first-generation students. Honorary members are selected based on their advocacy and mentorship of first-gen students. 

We accept credit cards, checks, money orders, and ACH/direct deposits. Click here to pay by credit card.

Notes: 

• Please make checks payable to Moravian University and note Tri- Alpha in the memo line.

• A small processing fee applies to credit card transactions.

• Charges will appear on your statement as Moravian University, our banking partner.

Generally, no; the institution must join as a whole. However, if a specific college (e.g., a Law or Medical school) holds a separate national accreditation from the main university, they may apply for an independent chapter. 

Please contact our National Headquarters with any questions: info@1stgenhonors.org