What It Means to Be a First Generation College Student
The college application process introduces many new phrases into your vocab, like FAFSA and SAT. If you’re one of the first in your family to go to college, you might come across the term “first generation,” and wonder if this applies to you. Although the qualifications vary from school to school, understanding what it means to be a first-generation college student is important and valuable, not only as you fill out the Common App, but as you choose a major, begin freshman year, and work towards your degree over the next four years.
“Being a first-generation college student comes with its unique challenges, from academic preparedness to financial struggles and more,” Angeli Johnson, Instructional Designer at the Center for First-generation Student Success, explains. If you're unfamiliar with financial aid forms or student loans, navigating tuition costs and college-related expenses like housing and books becomes a daunting task. You might feel unprepared for or caught off guard by the rigor of college courses, or the difficulties of freshman year, like making new friends, living somewhere new, or experiencing homesickness. Without previous knowledge or firsthand advice from parents or guardians, it can all feel overwhelming.
”Plus, first-gen students can often feel a significant sense of responsibility towards their families and communities,” Johnson adds. “They may feel pressure to prioritize their familial and community obligations over their own academic pursuits or may struggle to balance these responsibilities with their studies, resulting in additional stress.”
But despite these hurdles, being a first-generation college student is a huge milestone, one that should be recognized and celebrated. “By breaking the cycle of limited opportunities and education, first-gen students create a path for family and community to follow, opening up new doors and possibilities for future generations,” Johnson explains. You bring a unique, valuable perspective to higher education that serves as an example and inspiration.
Below, we break down everything you need to know about what it means to be a first-generation college student.
What is a first-generation college student?
“The definition of a first-gen student can vary depending on the institution,” Johnson explains. “The most common definition is that neither parent nor guardian has a four-year college degree.” This means that neither parent nor guardian has received a Bachelor’s degree, but it can also indicate that neither parent nor guardian earned a degree from an institution in the United States.
Even if older siblings and other family members like aunts, uncles, stepparents, and grandparents went to a four-year college and finished their degree, you are still considered a first-gen college student, Johnson says.
Again, it’s critical to note that qualifications differ between schools. If you’re unsure, most colleges and universities offer their definition of first-generation on their website.
How many college students are first-generation?
More than one-third of all college students are first-gen, Johnson notes. “However, only 27 percent of first-generation students obtain their degree within four years,” she adds. “We’re working to change that.”
Many colleges and universities have implemented federal TRIO Programs, Johnson explains, which are designed to provide resources to students from disadvantaged, low-income, and marginalized backgrounds. These eight programs include: Educational Opportunity Centers, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement (a grant program to encourage low-income and first-gen students to pursue doctoral studies), Student Support Services, Talent Search, Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs Staff, Upward Bound (which provides academic support to high schools students for college acceptance and completion), Upward Bound Math-Science, and Veterans Upward Bound.
Johnson also points to “financial aid, support services, peer mentorship programs, academic coaching programs, living communities, financial aid info sessions, career development workshops, networking events, and faculty mentorship programs” that are becoming more readily available on college campuses.
“As these initiatives become more prevalent across institutions nationwide, the graduation rate for first-gen students is expected to rise,” she says.
How do colleges know if you’re a first-generation college student?
This information is usually obtained by one of the many forms you fill out during the college application process, such as a school’s specific application, the Common App, financial aid, and FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) documents.
“Additionally, students may identify as first-gen through a student questionnaire during the enrollment process or after arriving on campus,” Johnson notes.
How can first-gen students prepare before they get to college?
Johnson suggests that applicants seek out colleges and universities that offer specific programs and resources for first-gen students. These include the TRIO Programs listed above, or a summer bridge session, she explains, which lets students arrive on campus early, meet and connect with other students, grow accustomed to campus life, and gain access to academic support and career resources. A “bridge” from high school to college, so to speak.
Apart from campus-specific programs and resources, first-gen students can “consult with guidance counselors or academic advisors, attend college fairs and information sessions, engage with first-gen organizations on social media, and hone their time management and study skills through practice,” Johnson recommends.
What are the resources available to first-generation college students?
There are many. Johnson points out that many colleges and universities provide on-campus and online support for first-generation college students, such as TRIO programs, financial aid, information sessions, peer and faculty mentorship programs, networking events, career development workshops, and academic coaching and tutoring.
Hubs like the Center for First-generation Student Success, Rise First, and Collective Success Network offer additional resources and online communities for connection and encouragement.
“If you are a first-gen student, don’t hesitate to reach out to your college Student Affairs Office and ask for support,” Johnson adds. “Remember, you are not alone, and there are people who want to help you succeed!”
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