If you’re not sure, you’re certainly not alone. While roughly 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 help you to figure out your generational status and provide tips that will assist you as you apply to and attend college.
FAQ: FIRST-GEN DEFINITION
ABOUT THE CENTER
VALUABLE ARTICLES
TIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
RESOURCES FOR "FIRST-GEN PLUS" STUDENTS
STUDENT VOICE
FAQ: First-gen Definition
Am I first-gen student? It depends on who you ask. This section may help you to determine whether you're a first-gen student. Click the plus sign next to each question to reveal the answer!
- 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 still a first-gen student if my parents started college or university and 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 still a first-gen student if other members of my family (step-parents, siblings, grandparents) went to college before me?
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 still 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.
About the Center
The Center for First-generation Student Success helps colleges and universities to help you to succeed as a first-gen student. While we do not work with first-gen students directly, we want to help you navigate your institutions and locate more information that will allow you to succeed. Check out the sections below to get started.
Valuable Articles For All First-Generation College Students
If You’re a Student Struggling With Impostor Syndrome, Try This
First-generation student filled with excitement for first-year at UCR, but was not prepared to experience “Impostor Syndrome.”
Education Post / June 04, 2018
Tips For High School Students
Are you currently a high school student considering college? Check out this helpful page to learn new terms and then read below to learn more about the college admissions process.
How do I apply to college?
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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!
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Who can I ask for help with college outside of my school and family?
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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!
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How do I find schools to apply to?
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There is no single best practice for identifying schools to apply to.It may be helpful to begin by identifying the different criteria folx use to select schools. Once you do this, you can identifywhich characteristics are important to you, and you can then use this list of criteria to narrow down possible "good-fit" schools.
This may sound like a lot (because it is!), but BigFuture's CollegeSearch Step-by-Step guide can help!
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How well do I need to do on the SAT and/or ACT to get into a school?
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Each college or university will have different score requirements. The institution's admissions website is often the best place to find this information, butyou 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 studentswho are attending that college or university for guidance.
You can also review the Compass Education Group's chart of test policies and score rangesto get a general idea of requirements.
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How do I prepare for the SAT and/or ACT?
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Your high school might offer freePSAT, 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!
Additionally, Khan Academy and College Board offer free Official SAT practice here.
How much will college cost?
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While college can seem expensive, most students 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 (actual) cost of attendance with BigFuture's Understanding the Cost tool here.
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What is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and how do I fill it out?
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- FAFSA is the application you complete to determine the amount of Federal Student Aid that you may qualify to receive through the government. Filling out the FAFSA can be confusing, and there are a lot of associated deadlines, but this guide from Form Your Future can help!
- 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 universitiesto which you are applying,as their financial aid offices are usually glad to offer assistance.
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Where can I find scholarships to pay for college?
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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., Porch) 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 Searchto get started, too!
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TIPS FOR CURRENT COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Are you currently a college or university student? Check out this helpful page to learn new terms and then read below for tips about navigating your campus community.
What resources does my school offer to first-gen students?
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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!
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Where is my campus' Financial Aid Office? What can they help with?
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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
Receive help in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Identify scholarship/financial aid opportunities
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How often should I complete the FAFSA?
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You need to complete the FAFSA every year if you want to receive financial aid. The application process opens on October 1 each year.
Get FAFSA tips and learn how to avoid common mistakes here!
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Why is it important to connect with faculty?
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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!
Learn more about connecting with faculty and sending professional emails!
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How do I find an on-campus job?
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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!
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Who do I talk to if I have questions about my schedule, major/minor, or future courses?
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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
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How do I get involved on my campus?
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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.
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How do I find an internship?
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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 to find paid and unpaid internships.
You can also find internship opportunities online. Check out Forbes' "The 10 Best Websites for Finding An Internship" for a list of good places to start your search!
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Where can I learn more about navigating medical school?
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The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) maintains a page with tools and resources dedicated to first-gen medical students. You can check outtheir robust guide here.
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Resources for "First-gen plus" Students
A student's first-gen status often represents only one facet of a complex identity. The resources below may help as you navigate your campus as a student with multiple identities, but we encourage you to reach out to a trusted advisor for more information on support for "first-gen plus" students (e.g., your campus' multicultural center).
- BIPOC Students
Application/Affordability Resources
Groups/Organizations
Narratives
- The Comeup Collective Podcast
- Preparing Black First-generation Students for Graduate School Success
- 30 Things Every First-Generation Latino College Student Should Know
- Through the Eyes of a First-Generation Latino College Student
- Lessons From a First-Gen, Working-Class Latinx Student
- Only 13 Percent of Native Americans Get College Degrees. Cheyanne Shaver is One of Them
Research
- Lifting While We Climb: Undergraduate Students of Color Communal Uplift and Promotion of College-Going Within Their Communities
- Understanding the Experiences of Provisionally Admitted Black Male College Students in the State of Georgia
- I Think of College As Setting a Good Foundation for My Future: Black Males Navigating the College Decision Making Process
- Second-generation Chinese American Female Undergraduates: Psychosociocultural Correlates of Well-Being
- Unfulfilling Requirements: Satisfactory Academic Progress and Its Impact on First-generation, Low-income, Asian American Students
- Decoding the Hidden Curriculum: Latino/a First Generation College Students' Influence on Younger Siblings' Educational Trajectory
- Three-Peat, Six Drop, and Excess Hours, Oh My! Latinx Community College Transfer Student Perceptions of State-level Policies
- The Guilt of Sucess: Looking at Latino First-generation College Students' Experience of Leaving Home
- The Journey Into a New Me: Narratives of Self-development and Community Revitalization Among First-generation, Latinx, Adult Graduate Students
- Queer and Trans Students
Application/Affordability Resources
Groups/Organizations
Narratives
Research
- Student Veterans/Military-connected Students
Application/Affordability Resources
Groups/Organizations
Narratives
- Hispanic Cadets Show Talent as First Generation College Students
- Veteran, First-generation Student Set to Graduate
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Make the Connection
- Graduating Student VeteranDiscovers Perfect Balance in Service, Studies
Research
- Working Class/Low-Income Students
Application/Affordability Resources
Groups/Organizations
Narratives
- Reflections on Being a First-Generation and/or Low-Income Graduate Student
- Lessons From a First-Gen, Working-Class Latinx Student
- The Price of Ascending America’s Class Ladder
- A First-Generation Student’s Survival Strategy: Work More, Sleep Less
- I Was a Low-Income College Student. Classes Weren’t the Hard Part.
Research
- “When I Think About Working Class, I Think About People That Work for What They Have”: How Working-Class Students Engage in Meaning Making About Their Social Class Identity
- Counterspaces, Counterstructures: Low-Income, First-Generation, and Working-Class Students’ Peer Support at Selective Colleges
- Parental Influences on Low-Income, First-generation Students’ Motivation on the Path to College
- Rural Students
APPLICATION/AFFORDABILITY RESOURCES
GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS
NARRATIVES
- 'Going To Office Hours Is Terrifying' And Other Tales Of Rural Students In College
- Navigating My Way as a First-Generation Student
RESEARCH
- Becoming Academically Eligible: University Enrollment Among First-generation, Rural College Goers
- “We Don’t Know How to Do This”: Rural Parents’ Perspectives on and Roles in Enrollment at a Private, Selective Liberal Arts College
- Barriers to College and Health Care Careers Among US Students From a Rural Community
- Students with Disabilities
APPLICATION/AFFORDABILITY RESOURCES
GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS
NARRATIVES
RESEARCH
- DACAmented Students
APPLICATION/AFFORDABILITY RESOURCES
- BigFuture’s 6 Things Undocumented Students Need to Know About College
- BigFuture’s For Undocumented Students: Questions and Answers About Paying for College
- Higher Ed Immigration Portal (Platform that integrates data, policies, and resources about immigrant, international, and refugee students)
- MALDEF’s Scholarship Resources
- College Board’s Repository of Resources for Undocumented Students
- BigFuture’s Para los Padres (Spanish language site, written for parents, with information on applying for college)
GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS
NARRATIVES
- I’m a DACA Recipient and a First-Generation College Graduate and I’m Nervous About What’s Next
- Under the Kilt: Navigating college as an undocumented, first-generation student
RESEARCH
Student Voice
We would love to hear about your experience as a first-generation college student. If you would like to share your story with us, please fill out this form. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @FirstgenCenter! Use #FirstgenForward to keep up with conversations that might be relevant to your experience.