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How the term “first-generation” college is defined remains debatable to this day. College admissions officers and high school counselors often disagree as to the type of students that perfectly fit the term. What if one of the parents of the student has a college degree? Or even an associate degree? What if the college-school parent is not involved in the student’s life?
The simplest definition of FGCS (first-generation college student) is one whose family has no college-going tradition. We can find plenty of first-generation college students from low-income families who have less exposure to higher education.
In research conducted by the Center for First-Generation Student Success, more than half of college students may be considered first-generation: both their parents lack a bachelor’s degree.
The term “first-generation students” was originally coined in 1980 by the Council for Opportunity in Education. Its definition varies from campus to campus. Some colleges define FGCS as neither biological parent of a student has ever attended college.
For most universities, the definition of FGCS determines the eligibility of a student for federal support programs. College students are generally considered first-generation if their parents do not hold a bachelor’s degree.
Some institutions define FGCS as students whose parents failed to complete a four-year college program in the US or those whose parents hold a degree as nontraditional students over 25 years old.
According to the Higher Education Act, the determining body for federal aid programs, students are considered FGCS if none of their parents hold a bachelor’s degree. However, this will only apply to parents who live with the student.
First-Generation Students at a Glance
According to the National Association of Students Personnel Administrators (NASPA), here are some major facts about first-generation college students in the US.
- 56% of college students across the United States have parents who do not hold bachelor’s degrees.
- First-generation college students usually come from minority or low-income backgrounds.
- Fewer FGCS college graduates utilize career-planning services like resumé assistance and career fairs than continuing-generation college students.
- 28% of FGCS are 30 years old or older.
- Only a few first-generation college students hold leadership roles, complete paid internships, conduct research with faculty members, and study abroad continuing-generation college students.
- 46% of first-generation college students join in extracurricular clubs, while 65% of continuing-generation students do.
Important Things Every First-Generation College Student Must Know
As a first-generation college student, you are the very first family member to ever go to college. Generally, this means that neither your immediate grandparents nor parents have earned a bachelor’s degree. To easily navigate through college as a FGCS, here are some of the common challenges you need to know and understand.
The Application Process: In most cases, college admissions officers greatly value first-generation college student applicants because they have a more diverse perspective in the classroom. It actually benefits if you identify as a first-generation college applicant. Moreover, FGCS are almost always qualified to receive scholarships.
Financial Constraints: First-generation college students are usually discouraged from enrolling in more high-end and expensive institutions. Paying for college may seem difficult (and even impossible) for most first-generation families. This is the very reason why most students opt to stay close to home and attend community colleges. While there is nothing wrong with applying to smaller colleges, both the parents and their students need to know their options.
Parents should not get intimated about the cost of attendance in big colleges and universities. There are so many ways to afford college, after all, including first-gen student scholarships. Private colleges also offer better financial aid privileges than public universities because they have more budget than public institutions.
Educational Barriers: First-generation college students are anxious about educational barriers. Whether your family has just immigrated, or you cannot afford college, or you simply don’t feel the need for a college education to make a living, you might somehow feel like you will be having a hard time getting into college.
These inhibitions are not necessarily true. While legacy enrollments have a great advantage for college students who are applying to institutions where their parents went, this won’t work against students whose families have gone to a different school.
Moreover, you should stop worrying if the high school you graduated from is not well-ranked. Your bad testing scores during your application will not hold water, too. Instead, it’s important that you have outstanding grades during high school, good ACT or SAT scores, and that your personal statement during application must be strong and persuasive.
It will also be to your advantage if you have solid experiences in different extracurricular activities like leading clubs, completing projects, or volunteering. All these experiences will exude how highly motivated you are, something that most colleges will always look for.
Adjusting to Academia: As a first-generation college student, attending college is a huge cultural adjustment. You don’t know what to expect since you haven’t heard stories about your parents’ college days. Plus, you just can’t rely on how colleges are represented in movies or on TV, right? Don’t fret, though. Just remember to keep a good head on your shoulders.
It’s also essential to deal with mental health head-on, as this is unusual in most cultures and is sometimes met with skepticism. In a study conducted by The University of California, Merced, it was found that first-generation college students are highly prone to experience symptoms of stress and depression. Good thing there’s NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), an organization that provides numerous helpful resources for everybody.
Family Expectations: First-generation college students will always feel pressured to be the best because their families expect them to support everybody once they graduate. With that, if you are specifically good and passionate about one thing, pursue it regardless of the expectations of your family.
College is a transformative experience for every student. Especially for first-generation college students, not only will this change them as a person, but the overall family dynamics will also change. Because of your college education, your role in the family may change. You might end up becoming a mentor or an educator to members of your family.
You may also find yourself in a position to support your family financially. All these changes only mean one thing: that you have grown as a person. While it’s important to respect your family, never allow them to hold you back from reaching your dreams.
Imposter Syndrome: For first-generation college students, attending college can be a very isolating experience. You need to adjust significantly during the first few weeks in school, and it’s normal to be fearful about not meeting new friends.
Being overwhelmed is a common feeling. In fact, even the non-FGCS will have these feelings. Just breathe and embrace things as they come. Avoid dwelling on what-ifs, mistakes, and those feelings of not being able to fit in.
First-generation students should take advantage of your school’s mental health counselors. Or look for organized student groups around specific religious or ethnic backgrounds. Sharing how you feel during the first few months in college not only helps you find the support you need but also allows you to help other students who also feel alone in their experiences.
First Generation Scholarships
First generation scholarships are awarded to students who are the very first in their families to enroll in college. To be eligible for a first-generation scholar, neither of your parents must have:
- Earned a college degree or college certificate
- Completed an associate degree or a more advanced degree
- Earned a bachelor’s degree or a more advanced degree
Aside from the ‘first generation’ status, there are other rules about eligibility that you need to meet. A financial need and an acceptable GPA are common. It also helps that you have leadership qualities and volunteer work, as this increases your eligibility for first generation scholarships. You can also find specific scholarships for first generation minority groups as well.
Here are some of the first-generation scholarships you might want to check.
- Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship Program
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
- CESDA Diversity Scholarship
- Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship
- David C. Lizarraga Fellowship
- First in Family Scholarship
- First of Us Scholarship
- Melissa D. Bisaccia Memorial Scholarship
- Smith Scholarships
- The Esperanza Scholarship
- The Odyssey Scholarship
- The Posse Foundation
Organizations that Help First Generation College Students
There are plenty of federal and state agencies with programs designed to help first generation scholars. Some of these agencies also offer first-generation scholarships.
Founded in 2009, this national nonprofit agency aims to increase the number of underserved and low-income first-generation college students who graduate from college.
College for Every Student, Brilliant Pathways
This nonprofit organization helps underserved youth prepare for, gain access, and eventually succeed in college. At present, they are working with urban and rural schools across 24 states. Every school will work with low-income students, many of which are first generation students.
This agency blends a business mindset with success strategies for college students. It aims to have a national impact and improve the completion rate of first-generation students. First Scholars also empowers students to build self-awareness.
This Internet platform connects bright and deserving students of low-income backgrounds to colleges. Questbridge acts as a facilitator and hopes to see an increase in low-income students attending college.
This is a website that connects underrepresented and first-generation students to colleges. Students are allowed to connect with mentors and counselors, too.
First Generation Scholarships: Why First Gen Students Must Apply
First-generation scholarships and grants can significantly take your stress out of paying for your college cost of attendance. Unlike a loan, scholarships don’t require you to get repaid as long as you strictly follow the terms.
In a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, it showed that 51% of first scholars heavily rely on financial aid. While most of these students have full-time jobs while enrolled in college, most of them in this setup end up not completing their college degree.
Surviving College as a First-Generation Student
The last thing first generation college students should do is to set aside their dreams of earning a degree and giving up college altogether simply because they could not survive college. Here are some helpful survival tips every first-generation college student should know.
Take advantage of academic support resources.
One of the toughest challenges first-generation students come face to face is the lack of support from family members who have first-hand experiences with the struggles of being in college. In the middle of an increased course load, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed. This is especially stressful if you have no one else to run to for relief.
If you’re having trouble, seek a tutor! Or, if you’re stuck on parts of your college load, take a trip to your professor’s office hours. You might be surprised at how much you can learn while you’re there. Worried about being academically behind? Seek for assistance. Most schools have plenty of tutoring and support services on top of the office hours that instructors keep.
Look for highly motivated peers to partner with.
It’s overwhelming when you think about the financial and time commitments of pursuing a bachelor’s degree. However, not all college students are going to be excited learners. After some time, group projects will come, and it’s going to be hard to find the ones who will really work hard.
If you can, seek out study and group partners who genuinely care and who will push and inspire you to learn more and make the most of your time. Seek out other first-generation students, military veterans, or students whose families are away, taking into mind that these kinds of students are likely to be extra driven to complete and earn their degree.
Embrace yourself.
You don’t have to come from a line of lawyers or doctors or accountants just to fit in or have a valuable perspective on college education. The environment of a college classroom is intimidating—either you learn to accept it or simply walk away from it. Your perspective matters. Face your fears head-on and speak up.
In college, academic discussions are designed to expose students to new points of view. You are smart enough to be able to reach this far; thus, don’t let your misconceptions and false notions about ‘belonging’ hinder your learning experience. If you engage yourself in your classes, you will certainly walk away having learned more than if you opted to stay silent in the back row.
Be proactive on scholarships and financial assistance.
There are so many scholarship opportunities available every year, but don’t expect these just simply to fall on your lap. You need to dedicate your time when scouting for scholarships, as this will really pay off in the long run.
Start scouting at the school you will be attending. You can also search in civic groups or places of worship. After you’ve exhausted your nearby options, go to the Internet. You can find so many reliable scholarship websites that will help you in your search for the best financial aid options.
Get Involved.
As a first-generation college student, find a way to make a home away from home during college. Get involved in clubs or school organizations. Whether you join a dance club or a student political organization, chances are, you will instantly meet new peers who share a common ground with you.
If you’re not sure how and where to start, check your school’s official list of student clubs and organizations. Find the one that sounds interesting to you. In most cases, clubs love to have someone new and excited to get involved.
Avoid overloading yourself.
If you have plans of getting a job while balancing school, be extra careful and avoid over-committing. Your employer should know of your situation. If you work full-time but still can afford school, check if a part-time or temporary shift is possible.
One of the most common mistakes every college student encounters is failing to consider the time they need outside of class to complete their tasks. For example, you have a class that meets only once a week, but the out-of-class workload is the same as classes that frequently meet. This is not worth the risk. Ideally, plan for a heavy load and work your extra activities from there.
Build a solid support system.
Because your family is not familiar with the challenges of going to college, who will you turn to for support? Get yourself a great pool of mentors, peers, and friends who can help.
Some colleges offer support services intended specifically to support and push college students who are homesick and having a hard time with their college journey. But this doesn’t mean that you rule out your family’s ability to assist you. Your parents might not be of great help to your calculus subject, but they are well enough to hear you when you need to vent.
Join programs designed for first-generation college students.
Most college and university campuses have programs or resource centers specifically for first-generation students. These are the best spaces for FGC students to access counselors and resources, do their work, ask questions, and find a community.
Work on your confidence.
There are times when you don’t feel like speaking up in class, dealing with awkward situations, or showing up to class lectures and activities. This is rather normal. However, you need to work on your confidence as you go through college because your confidence can take you to places.
Talk to a coach, a friend, or a mentor about this. Or better yet, seek professional help like counseling services in school. You can also try doing daily positive affirmations.
Searching the Right School for First-Generation College Students
Searching for the right college comes with a lot of nervous excitement for any incoming student. But for those who have never inherited first-hand knowledge from their siblings or parents about what to expect, it will generally feel like there are so many unknowns. Thankfully, many resources can help you with your college search. Here is a compilation of the most helpful tips for starting your college search.
Join college visits.
The very first step for an incoming college student is to figure out the college they wish to attend. Choosing a school is a major decision, so it’s fine to take your time in selecting the university that you think is best. Just be aware of the necessary deadlines, such as scholarship applications.
If you can, try to visit as many universities as possible or join virtual events. This will give you a feel of the students, the campus, and the professors to help you evaluate if the school is a good fit for you.
Talk to your counselor.
While visiting one campus from another is a great idea, remember that you cannot get all the necessary information in just a single trip. Thus, it’s best to go to college admission counselors. They can provide you with the answers to whatever questions you have—from class sizes to majors, financial aid, and many more.
Your high school guidance counselors are also perfect point persons for resources. One of their jobs is to help students prepare for college. This means they have the relevant information and inside knowledge about universities and colleges, along with the right contact persons who may help you with your college application.
It’s fine not to decide on a major yet.
It is not uncommon for incoming college students to enroll without knowing first what they want to major in. Conversely, it’s also not unusual to see so many students changing their college majors as they go on with their programs.
What’s great about general education courses taken during the first year of college is that students have ample time to explore career options and subjects that interest them while giving them a well-rounded education. Once you explore different fields, it becomes easier for you to identify the field you want to go.
All in all, going to college is a huge undertaking. And if you are a first generation college student, this is a major achievement and something that you and your family should be very proud of. While first generation college students come across certain challenges, you can find so many resources available.
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