Are You a First-gen Student?

Are you a first-generation student?

Are You A First-Generation Student?

If you’re not sure, you’re certainly not alone. While over fifty percent of students identify as first-gen, many are unaware of their first-gen status until they reach college, which can make accessing resources difficult. This page will equip you with tools to learn more about your generational status and provide tips to assist you as you apply to and attend college.

How do I know if I’m a first-gen student?

While the definition can be complicated, being a first-gen student means that your parents did not complete a 4-year college or university degree. Some colleges and universities use a different definition, so be sure to ask your admissions counselor, academic advisor, or a faculty member to learn more.

Am I a first-gen student if my parents started college but did not finish their degree?

If your parents took a few college classes or even completed community college, you will often be considered first-gen. Check in with a campus resource in admissions, academic advising, or student services to learn more!

Am I a first-gen student if other members of my family (step-parents, siblings, grandparents) achieved their degree?

Yes. Being a first-gen student means that your parent(s) did not complete a 4-year college or university degree, regardless of other family member’s level of education. Older siblings and family members who attended college may be a great resource as you navigate your college journey!

Am I a first-gen student if my parents received a degree from a college or university located outside of the United States?

Many colleges and universities are beginning to consider students with parents who attended international universities as first-gen. We suggest contacting your admissions counselor, academic advisor, first-gen student programs office, or a trusted person on your campus to learn more.

How do I apply to college?

High school guidance counselors, trusted teachers or administrators, and even family members can provide excellent info on finding and applying to colleges. You can also get started using CollegeBoard’s Applying 101.

Who can I ask for help with college outside of my school and family?

Look into community-based programs for college or university support. Your guidance counselor may be able to point you in the right direction, but you can also research options yourself by using the CCID registry as a guide!

How do I find schools to apply to?

There is no single best practice for identifying schools to apply to. It may be helpful to begin by identifying the different criteria used to select schools. Once you do this, you can determine which characteristics are important to you and use this list of criteria to narrow down possible schools. This may sound like a lot (because it is!), but BigFuture’s College Search Step-by-Step can help!

Do I need to take the SAT or ACT to get into a school?

Each college or university will have different test requirements. The institution's admissions website is often the best place to find this information, but you should also feel free to contact the admissions office, ask questions at college fairs, seek the help of teachers and guidance counselors, and even ask older students who are attending that college or university for guidance. You can also review the Compass Education Group’s chart of test policies and score ranges to get a general idea of requirements.

How do I prepare for the SAT and/or ACT?

Your high school might offer free PSAT, SAT, and ACT preparation. Ask your guidance counselor or high school front office if any college preparation programs are available and how you might get involved. If your high school publishes a regular newsletter, the information may be there as well. Your local or city library may also have helpful resources.

How much will college cost?

While college can be expensive, students may pay far less for their education than the advertised price at their institution. Grants, scholarships, and education tax benefits may render a previously out-of-reach school rather affordable. Learn how to calculate your net cost of attendance with BigFuture’s Understanding the Cost tool here.

What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and how do I fill it out?

FAFSA is the application you complete to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid that you may qualify to receive through the government.

It’s a good idea to get help with your FAFSA. Your high school likely offers free workshops to help you learn the steps. You can also check with the colleges or universities you are applying to, as their financial aid offices are usually glad to offer assistance. There are many helpful tools to navigate the application process.

Where can I find scholarships to help me pay for college?

Your high school guidance or college preparation office should have a list of scholarships. Also, don’t forget to check out local civic organizations (e.g., Ruritans, Jaycees, Lions, Veterans of Foreign Wars) or corporations (e.g., Coke Cola) for scholarship opportunities. Never hesitate to reach out to the financial aid office at your top-choice college or university to ask about scholarship opportunities, as well. You can use the Tuition Funding Sources (TFS) Scholarship Search to get started!

What resources does my school offer to first-gen students?

Many institutions offer first-gen-specific student clubs, peer and/or faculty mentoring programs, student support services (SSS), TRIO programs, financial wellness/FAFSA workshops, residential/living-learning communities, research opportunities, and study-away programs.

Search your school’s website or ask your resident advisor/assistant (RA), orientation leader, or peer mentor if your school offers any of the above. Once you find options, stop by the office, introduce yourself, and get involved!

Where is my campus' Financial Aid Office? What can they help with?

Search “financial aid” on your college or university website or ask your resident advisor/assistant (RA), orientation leader, or peer mentor for help finding the financial aid office. Consider scheduling a one-on-one meeting with a Financial Aid Officer to better understand your financial aid package, bills, and important deadlines

How often should I complete the FAFSA?

You need to complete the FAFSA every year if you want to receive financial aid. The application process opens on October 1 each year.

Why is it important to connect with faculty?

While it may feel uncomfortable at first, your faculty will appreciate getting to know you! Making an introduction allows your faculty to learn more about you, will make it easier to ask questions, and may result in exciting research/internship opportunities. Connecting with faculty in your major is especially important!

How do I find an on-campus job?

You can find on-campus jobs by:

Visiting the career services or financial aid offices at your school
Asking other students (including resident advisors, orientation leaders, and peer mentors)
Connecting with faculty/staff members in departments in which you’d like to work
Checking virtual and physical bulletin boards around campus
Searching your college or university’s website for “student jobs”

Many on-campus jobs will require you to submit a resume and/or cover letter and complete an interview. Your campus’ career services office can help you with all of these!

Who do I talk to if I have questions about my schedule, major/minor, or future courses?

Getting in touch with your academic advisor and scheduling a meeting is a great way to receive some assistance. If you do not know who your academic advisor is, you can find out by:

Asking a professor, your resident advisor, orientation leader, peer mentor, or friend how to find out
Searching your college or university’s website for more information

How do I get involved on my campus?

The following offices may offer paid or unpaid ways to get involved:

Campus Activities
Student Health and Wellness
Student Counseling
The Learning Center/Academic Support/Tutoring Services
Center for Service/Volunteering
Campus Recreation

To find ways to get involved, you can search your school’s website or talk to your resident advisor, orientation leader, peer mentor, or friends.

How do I find an internship?

Your school's career services office, future alumni network organization, major/minor-specific student clubs and organizations, and faculty members can be great resources for helping you find paid and unpaid internships.

Where can I find resources to learn more about graduate school programs?

This answer depends on the type of graduate or professional school program you are interested in. A great starting place is connecting with a faculty member or the graduate admissions office if your college has graduate or professional programs. They may have helpful recommendations and insights into the next step.

Where can I learn more about navigating medical school?

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) maintains a page with tools and resources dedicated to first-gen medical students. You can check out their robust guide here.