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Navigating Higher Education as the First College Student in the Family
Going to college is a monumental accomplishment for all incoming freshman, but for some students, this isn’t just a personal achievement — it’s a milestone for everyone in the household. First-generation college students can be a source of pride for a family, but being the first to get a higher education also can come with unique challenges — namely, that they cannot benefit from their parents’ college-going experience. This guide addresses some of the challenges first-generation college students face and includes information on paying for higher education, programs that help these students and what to keep in mind when applying to schools.
Are You a First-Generation College Student?
First-generation college students are considered those who don’t have immediate family members who have pursued any type of higher education. According to a 2018 report from the U.S. Department of Education, about one-third of U.S. undergraduates in 2011-12 had parents who hadn’t attended college.
In many cases, these students come from low- or middle-income families, although some higher-income families also may not have a tradition of attending college. In addition, many first-generation college students may be immigrants or part of the first generation in their families to be born in the United States. Often they have children of their own or work full time.
No matter what their background, first-generation college students can represent hope and promise for an entire family for generations to come.
“Being a first-generation college student is cause for celebration. It creates opportunity not just for the enrolled student, but for his or her family as well. It is the best strategy for lifting a generation,” says Karen Gross, education consultant and former president of Southern Vermont College in Burlington, Vermont. “One interesting way it helps intergenerationally is that children of college graduates are more likely to progress to and graduate from college than their peers. So by entering college at whatever age or stage, a first-generation student is helping their children and their children’s children.”
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Fast Facts About First-Generation College Students
About 20 percent of all undergraduate students in colleges and universities around the United States were first-generation college students in 2015. (Source:The New York Times)
A study by the Online Journal of Workforce Education and Development found that 48.5 percent of Hispanic or Latin-American students, 45 percent of black or African-American students, 35.6 percent of Native Americans or Alaska native students, 32.2 percent of Asian students and 28 percent of white students were the first in their families to attend college. (Source:Online Journal of Workforce Education and Development)
Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and former First Lady Michelle Obama were first-generation college students. (Source:Washington Post)
89 percent of first-generation college students that come from low-income households leave college after six years without completing their degrees. (Source:The First Generation Foundation)
The amount of first-generation college students attending Ivy League schools is less than 20 percent. Specifically, in 2015, 11 percent of Dartmouth students, 12 percent of Princeton students, 14 percent of Yale students, 16 percent of Cornell students and 17 percent of Brown students were the first in their families to attend college. (Source:The New York Times)
Many first-generation college students face academic, professional, financial and psychological challenges. (Source:Washington Post)
More first-generation college students are enrolled in public four-year colleges and universities (1.7 million), while 623,000 of these students attend private schools. (Source:The New York Times)
First-generation college students are less likely to take advantage of support resources available on campus to help them succeed than those who are not. (Source:The First Generation Foundation)
2018 Spotlight: 15 Programs for First-Generation Students
When first-generation college students begin their higher education journeys, they may feel like outsiders compared to students who have heard about their family members’ college experiences. However, these students are not alone, and oftentimes they can find support through the colleges or universities they attend. The following are examples of some programs that cater to first-generation college students by providing the tools and camaraderie they need to be successful in their degree programs.
Angelo State University offers services to help first-generation college students make the transition from high school to higher education. As part of this program, students can participate in workshops, have their academic success monitored and get one-on-one advice from a mentor who understands the needs of this student population.
The First-Generation College and Low-Income Student Center at Brown University provides a community for students to connect with each other and receive services that support their academic success. Students can attend school events, meet alumni who have similar backgrounds and receive advice about degrees, careers and financial aid.
The Promising Futures Program provides students with the information they need to do well in college. To help facilitate this success, the program provides each student with a mentor — a faculty member, student or staff member — who can help the student navigate the campus and college life. In addition, the program hosts events for first-generation college students, including socials and study sessions.
The FIRST Program at Clemson University provides academic and social support for first-generation college students. Students can receive mentoring and tutoring services, workshops, career counseling and internship referrals. In addition, a lounge is offered where these students can connect with each other.
The College of St. Scholastica has student support services designed to meet the academic and financial needs of its first-generation college student community. In addition, the school offers preparatory services to help high school students lay the foundation to become successful college students.
Through the First-in-Family Programs at Columbia College and Columbia Engineering welcome first-generation students to campus with a reception where they can meet leaders at the school and find answers to their questions about higher education. Throughout their college careers, these students can receive academic support from the school and attend social events.
Fresno Pacific University’s dedication to helping first-generation college students succeed begins before these students have enrolled at the school. The Four-Year Planning Guide is provided to high school students so they can find out what they need to do to become college-ready and successfully be admitted into degree programs. Once students are enrolled at Fresno Pacific University, they have access to a course called College Language and Academic Success Strategies (CLASS), which helps them transition to college life and learn studying and note-taking strategies.
Harvard College offers several resources for first-generation college students, including an initiative that helps them secure the financial aid they need to pay for their education. The school also has a student union that allows first-generation students to connect with a community of people who share the same experiences, study groups for freshmen who need academic support and an alumni group where current students network with those who have completed their degrees.
The Peer Mentor Program gives incoming freshmen the opportunity to learn about the campus environment from other first-generation college students. Through this program, students develop a sense of belonging as they learn about the skills they need to complete their degree programs, as well as about the financial aid options to help pay for school.
The Student Support Services at St. Petersburg College helps students get the most out of their education. The program provides first-generation students with tutoring services, academic advisement and access to a textbook lending library. In addition, the school offers referrals to on- and off-campus services to meet students’ needs.
The University of Chicago’s No Barriers program was launched to help first-generation college students by making it easier for them to receive the financial aid they need, as well as help them find social support and cultivate the career development skills to land jobs after graduation. In addition, the school’s Center for College Student Success provides advice to low-income students to help them enhance their academic success and financial literacy.
First Generation Iowa provides new and returning first-generation college students with the social, service and academic resources they need to be successful. The University of Iowa also helps these students find financial aid to pay their tuitions.
When first-generation college students begin their freshman year at the University of Southern California, they can participate in a reception with their parents to learn about what the school has to offer those who are facing their unique issues. Students in their sophomore year can attend a seminar that provides information on academic programs and the possible career paths to which these degrees can lead. The school also offers a website to help these students connect with campus groups and prepare for life after graduation.
First-generation college students at the University of Washington Bothell can be part of a network of peers that provide support to each other. In addition, the school provides resources to help students get accustomed to being on campus.
Williams College offers programs designed to help first-generation college students acclimate to campus life and succeed once they’re used to the community. When they first arrive, they can participate in an orientation program that allows them to meet faculty and staff, attend workshops and get to know their fellow students. The school also has regular Lunch & Learns sessions where students meet informally with staff members who can provide valuable information about academic resources, financial aid, career services and alumni relations.
Applying to College
For those who grew up with parents who have been to college, navigating the college application process can be easier because they may receive firsthand advice at home. For first-generation college students without that same level of support in their household, this process can be trickier.
This doesn’t mean that these students can’t get valuable advice to help them with their college applications. In addition to the help they may get from their high school guidance counselors, students can obtain useful information from college fairs as well as college-bound programs that provide mentoring services and assistance with admissions and financial aid applications.
In addition, as these hopeful college students apply to schools, they should keep in mind that their experiences on campus will be much different than those of students with college-educated family members. First-generation college students face some unique challenges, including the following:
Expert Q & A
Hopeful first-generation college students will have many questions about what they can expect when they embark on a journey of higher education. We interviewed the following experts about some of the issues these students face:
David Dollins, associate vice president of enrollment management at Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Rachel Flaherty, director of the TRiO Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program and the I’m First Initiative at Rochester Institute of Technology
Karen Gross, education consultant and former president of Southern Vermont College
Dollins: Resources include financial aid counseling, academic advisers, student life staff, support program staff and numerous other offices that are designed to help students find their way to their first degrees. The most important thing is not to suffer in silence, but rather seek out those resources and build your team of support on your campus. Professors and staff want their students to succeed and are more than willing to go out of their way to help.
Flaherty: Rochester Institute of Technology offers programs like I’m First, which works to ensure success for students who are the first in their families to attend college. We also have grant-funded and RIT-funded programs including Upward Bound, RIT’s Multicultural Center for Academic Success, the Higher Education Opportunity Program, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, which all help with supporting this population.
Gross: Almost all colleges try to support their students — first gen and non-first gen. But the number and quality of services and their accessibility and receptivity differs from campus to campus. Some campuses have robust wraparound services with staff and faculty dedicated to first-generation student success. Others have services scattered throughout the campus and the onus is on the student to find and then use the right services. Also, services can range — some cover academics and academic support (including writing centers), some offer psychological support, some offer career planning and some address medical issues (current or longer-term illness). Many services for enrolled students go underutilized for a myriad of reasons. So when looking at a campus, look for ones where support services are viewed with pride, not as a resource for the failing or weaker or lesser student. Attitude of support personnel matters.
Dollins: I always recommend that families gain an understanding and appreciation of what their students are trying to accomplish. Support them and encourage them. Also, they do not need to be experts on how colleges “work,” but rather champion and challenge their students to persevere through the tough times and have them reach out on campus to the offices available. A great resource for family members and parents is often the parent services office. Many colleges have support help for parents so they can be there for their students.
Flaherty: Encouraging them that the decision to go to college is a good one. It is important for families to take an interest in this experience and be there to listen to their children and check in with them. With college comes new stressors, so families should consider this and try to be sensitive to what their child is going through.
Gross: There are many ways families of first-generation students can help. Some cost money and others do not. One can send care packages if a student is living away from home. These are especially good at exam time. Families can actually visit campuses to see where their children (or spouses or parents) spend time. It is easier to picture one’s family member if one has seen the classrooms, the dining hall, the student center, the athletic facility, the laboratories. It is even easier if one has met fellow students or a faculty member or a staff member. Families should also recognize that the pathway to success is not a straight line up, and how the student does on one test or one exam or one paper is not a reflection of ultimate success. Families also should not panic over one sad phone call (unless it is evidence of real desperation). Students’ moods change quickly, and often the home family hears the worst stories and gets all the sad emotions; after such a call, students often bounce back, having gotten their feelings out. The key for families is to be supportive — “You can do this; I know you can,” is a phrase worth repeating again and again and again. And again.
Flaherty: They can access different opportunities for personal and professional growth, such as volunteer experiences and internships. This period in life is full of new experiences, and it is important for students to integrate into the community and start finding their place. It is also important to get involved, learn to networking and start making new connections.
Gross: There are different types of community support — one’s home community and one’s campus community (depending on whether one is attending college close to or far from home). For some students, local religious venues are valuable — churches, temples, places of worship. And many pastors or religious leaders see themselves as possible role models for students. Also, there are volunteer opportunities in many communities and it is a way to begin to feel more at home: Helping others enables one to better help oneself as it adds to a sense of purpose. There are often local restaurants that have more home-style foods — they are worth visiting, if one can afford it, with other students.
Dollins: Common misconceptions are that first-generation college students cannot be as successful as their peers with family members who have graduated from college. Or that first-generation students are not as academically prepared. Quite the contrary. First-generation students are often the best and brightest on any given college campuses. They are National Merit Finalists, Fulbright Scholars, honors students and successful Ph.D. graduates. At Clarion, we have hundreds of first-generation students that are scholarship recipients, student athletes and leaders on-campus and in their classrooms.
Flaherty: It is a common misconception that first-generation college students all have the same needs. As a population, first-generation college students all come from different cultural backgrounds, different socioeconomic statuses, different family systems … they have different majors and different motivations. It is important not to assume that because a student is first generation, they will exhibit the same traits. When advising this population, it is important to look at the whole picture and understand the different complexities.
Gross: Sadly, a common misperception about first-generation students is that they are not “as smart” as other students. People mistake first-generation students’ behaviors, lack of classroom participation and academic struggles as a sign of their not being up to par. People on campuses forget that there are many learned skills with which non-first-gen students come to campus. These non-first-gen students may have attended quality high schools, academic summer programs, tutoring and coaching on the side. They may have had robust discussions over family dinners, or family dinners may have been hard when both parents or one parent is working. Let me be abundantly clear: A longer adjustment time to college and college-level work is not a sign of a lack of capacity. It is often an expression of a lack of experience and comfort levels. To be able to learn and settle in, one needs to find one’s way. That is not easy, and others misinterpret this adjustment process. Sad, but true.
Dollins: Reach out to your admissions office to learn about the resources available, including scholarships. Take advantage of visits to campus and orientation sessions to get connected to your campus departments that will be there to help support you and your family during your two or four years of college. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Your professors and the campus want to see you succeed and graduate!
Flaherty: That it is not an accident that you were accepted into college, and you have every right to be there and be successful. Also, reach out to programs, advisers and professors. All of these people are here for you and want to see you succeed.
Gross: I could write a whole book about advice for first-generation students. But, here are five pieces of advice that I hope will help:
Recognize that you are not alone; many first-gen students are thinking about and struggling with the same issues you are confronting.
You should be proud that you have taken an enormous risk in furthering your education, and while it may not be easy, it speaks volumes that you have enrolled in college. Pat yourself on the back and keep patting yourself — you are helping yourself,
Don’t be too quick to judge fellow students, professors or others you encounter. Give people a chance. They may come from different backgrounds and cultures and religions, but there is value in difference and often remarkable similarities if one is open to that possibility.
Don’t become isolated, staying out of the fray, engaging only with folks from your past and burying your face in your phone or computer. Sticking out one’s neck isn’t easy or comfortable, but it can yield remarkable benefits. Try it — even in short bursts. The rewards should outweigh the fears.
And, finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are no stupid questions. Ask people for help. Ask for support. Ask for guidance. Asking is good and is not a sign of weakness. In fact, asking is a sign of strength. Don’t think it’s all or only up to you to make it through college. A quality institution also has a responsibility to its students, so if you are struggling, don’t be scared to make them aware of what is troubling and even suggest needed changes.
Financial Aid for First-Generation Students
Like other students, first-generation college students may be able to receive financial aid to help defray the costs of their education. In fact, there are scholarships and grants available that are geared specifically toward first-generation college students, which may be provided by specific schools, private companies or nonprofit organizations. This section provides information on some of these financial aid opportunities.
Grants
Scholarships
Additional Resources
This report by Kathleen Cushman with Next Generation Press includes anecdotes and advice from first-generation college students.
EducationQuest Foundation provides guidance to the parents of first-generation college students.
This USACollegeChat podcast discusses the schools that provide services for first-generation college students.
This series of videos provides a look at experiences from several first-generation college students.
Organization that helps connect first-generation college students to schools and resources.
This TEDx Talks video provides insights from an educator about better including first-generation students in the campus community.
This PBS segment addresses the challenges of first-generation college students at top schools.
Provides inspiration for prospective first-generation college students from those who have had this experience.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama discusses her experience as a first-generation college student in this video.
Since its founding in 2013, I’m First! has provided information and services for first-generation college students.
This Law School Toolbox Podcast provides a look at what it’s like to be a first-generation college student attending law school.
These videos feature the stories of first-generation college students who attended University of Washington Bothell.
