LINK - First Year Experience Program

Learning and Interacting with New Knights (LINK) FirstYear Experience program is designed to assist first-time-in-college students with their transition to the University of Central Florida (UCF) by creating, coordinating and promoting campuswide cocurricular educational programming and activities. The main goals of the LINK Program are to get New Knights out having fun, meeting people, and getting connected to UCF. Through LINK, New Knights will be exposed to experiences that will enhance their academic experience and overall success and satisfaction at UCF.

The LINK Program works with various UCF student support departments and programs to identify educational programs that support opportunities for New Knights to transition to and become better connected to UCF during their first year on campus. These cocurricular programs complement the inclass academic experience and help firstyear students develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. The LINK Program packages these educational programs under the LINK name and promotes them to first-year students in such a way to encourage their active participation.

As an incentive to encourage firstyear students to participate in programs, freshmen receive points for each LINK program in which they participate. These points are known as LINK Loot. Students receive LINK Loot points by swiping their UCF ID card at the beginning or end of each LINK program. First year students can use their LINK Loot points to bid on prizes at the LINK Auction, held at the end of each semester. These points do not roll over between semesters in order to give students a fresh opportunity to get involved at the beginning of each new semester. In the past, prizes have included a one semester tuition scholarship, laptop computer, Nintendo Wii, television, iPod video, theme park tickets and much more.

Last Fall semester, over 200 programs were LINK-connected, giving freshmen numerous opportunities to earn points and get connected to UCF. In the five years since its inception, LINK has awarded $11,700 in tuition scholarships and over $25,000 in other prizes. No need to sign up for LINK as long as you are a first time in college student, you can start earning points NOW!