Top 10 Things For First-Generation College Students to Know

College admissions officers value first-generation student applicants because they offer diverse perspectives in the classroom. This is one of the reasons why it may benefit you to specify that you are a first-generation applicant. You may also be eligible to receive scholarships for first-generation college students. 

In order to have the best chance at receiving first-generation funding, it’s important to start your application early. To learn more about when you should start planning for college, review our article, When to Start Planning for College. You can also learn more general information from this: a Guide to the College Application Process.

First-generation students are often discouraged from applying to more “expensive” colleges. Paying for college can be difficult or seem impossible for a lot of first-generation families. They often opt for staying close to home or attending community colleges. However, it’s important for both the student and their parents to know their options. 

Parents should learn to not be afraid of the listed tuition costs of colleges. There are a number of ways college can be affordable, including various first-gen student scholarships. It’s also important to realize that private colleges often offer more generous financial aid packages than public universities. This is simply because they have more money than public universities. But, there is still financial-aid available through public and state universities. 

There may be different scholarships for first-generation students looking to go to public and private colleges so be sure to do your research. Be sure to look up everything you need to know about FAFSA. And don’t be afraid to ask your high school counselor or the financial aid department about opportunities that may be available to you.

First-generation college applicants are often preoccupied with educational barriers. If your family has recently immigrated, hasn’t been able to afford college, or simply hasn’t needed a college education in order to make a living, you may feel that it would be hard for you to get accepted into college. This is not necessarily true. While legacy admissions offer an advantage to children who are applying to schools their parents went to, it does not work against you to not have family who have gone to a specific school. 

You also shouldn’t worry that just because your high school is not well ranked or has bad testing scores that your application won’t be seriously considered. It is far more important to have good grades, good SAT or ACT test scores, and write a strong personal statement. It can also be extremely beneficial to have robust experience in extracurricular activities like volunteering, leading clubs, or completing a passion project. These sorts of experiences demonstrate that you are a highly motivated self-starter, something that colleges are always looking for.

If no one in your family has gone to college, it can be difficult to know what to expect. College-level work is extremely different from high school. You can expect to have much longer classes and fewer classes in a day. This allows students to have more time to work independently and have deeper discussions in class. If you pursue the sciences, this extra time will often be spent in the lab. 

College-level work is also more difficult. But don’t be afraid! College is a great opportunity to challenge yourself. If you find yourself struggling, remember, your peers will also struggle at times. Everyone has their own strengths and college-level work is often collaborative, so you can look to your peers for help. 

There will also be opportunities to receive additional help in college that don’t exist in most high schools like tutoring, office hours, homework sessions, and TA mentoring. First-generation students don’t always realize what resources may be available to them. This is why it’s important for students to discuss their interests, goals, and concerns with their academic advisors.

Attending college can be a big cultural adjustment. Without hearing stories from your parents’ days in college, you may not know what to expect. And you should not rely on representations of college in TV or movies! Don’t worry though. Just keep a good head on your shoulders and remember the advice your family has taught you. It never hurts to eat well, exercise, and stay away from drugs and alcohol.

It’s also worth mentioning that discussing mental health is taboo in a lot of cultures and can sometimes be met with skepticism. According to a study by The University of California, Merced first-generation college students are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and stress. NAMI provides many mental-health resources for individuals of all backgrounds. There should also be mental-health services at your college as well.

First-generation college students often feel pressured to do well so they can support their families after graduating. That said, if you are passionate or especially good at one thing, pursue that no matter what the expectations of your family are. It will be better for you in the long run. 

So many people end up changing careers in their lifetime when they realize they are not passionate about the field they started off in. If you are fortunate enough to realize that while you are in college then you can save yourself a lot of heartache trying to pivot later in life without an education in your new field.

College is a transformative experience. Not only will you change as a person, but the dynamic of your family will also change. You will be coming home with more knowledge, differing opinions, and new experiences. Your role in your family may change as a result of your education. You may find yourself becoming an educator or mentor to members of your family, especially younger ones. You may also be in a unique position to financially support your family. 

These changes signify that you are growing as a person. Remember to give your family the respect they deserve. But don’t let them hold you back from your growth and development.

It can be an extremely isolating experience for students who attend college. The first few weeks are a huge adjustment and there is often a fear of not making friends or belonging. You are not alone in this feeling! Even students that are not first-generation experience these feelings. Remember to breathe and take things as they come. Try not to dwell on mistakes or what-if’s. Making mistakes is natural and the future is not decided. 

Also keep in mind the mental health resources provided to you like NAMI or on-campus mental health counselors. For first-generation you may also take comfort in finding student groups organized around specific ethnic or religious backgrounds. Sharing your experience will not only help you find support but also may help others who feel alone in their experiences.

As we’ve talked about there are lots of financial-aid opportunities for first-generation college students to take advantage of including first-generation student grants and scholarships.

In addition to completing the FAFSA, first-gen students should research potential scholarships as well. Consider applying to one or several of the first-generation scholarships below: 

• 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 Generation College Student Scholarship 
• First of Us Scholarship
• Melissa D. Bisaccia Memorial Scholarship  
• Smith Scholarships
• The Esperanza Scholarship 
• The Odyssey Scholarship
• The Posse Foundation 
• University of Colorado Boulder First Generation Grant

It’s important to keep in mind that many colleges have first-gen offices. This is a helpful resource for students and parents to feel more connected and comfortable with the community. Colleges also have clubs specifically for first-generation students. Schools like the University of Michigan, Cornell, and others have tons of opportunities for first-generation students to feel included. 

There are lots of first-generation student programs outside of college campuses as well. Take a look at some of the resources below: 

• America Needs You
• Center for First-Generation Student Success 
• College Advising Corps
• First Generation Civil Rights Fellowship Program 
• First Generation Foundation
• I’m First!
• Opportunity Nation
• Rise First

There are many educational paths that lead to lucrative careers for students. These paths often include engineering, computer science, and other science-related subjects. However, not every student wants to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or scientist. 

According to a study by NACES, first-generation students are more likely to major in social and behavioral sciences and other academic majors. In that same study, first-generation students were also more likely to continue their education beyond a bachelor’s degree. This is in contrast to non-first-generation students that typically enter the workforce right after college. 

Having a college degree is also extremely beneficial to your future family. Because of your college degree, your children and grandchildren are more likely to attend college. People with college degrees usually make more money than those with only high school diplomas. This means that your family is likely to have more opportunities to prosper and accrue generational wealth as a result of you attending college.