An explicit goal of this mentorship is to encourage first-gen and low-income students to apply to a broader range of colleges. Many first-generation students, however, attend high schools where counselors are overstretched or unaware of new programs and opportunities that can benefit underprivileged students.Ī crop of organizations, such as Minds Matter and Summer Search, work to address the gap in quality counseling by mentoring students from under-resourced schools. School counselors can help students articulate their career interests, guide course schedules to match college aspirations, and keep students ahead of the curve on things like entrance exams, applications, and financial aid.
Here are three ways FGCS can improve their chances of succeeding in college and fulfilling their academic goals. Indeed, higher education as a whole is taking greater account of adversity when admitting students and placing a stronger emphasis on diversifying campuses. Many colleges aim to admit more first-generation, low-income, and minority students, bettering the educational odds for disadvantaged groups. In reality, most schools admit a majority of applicants. What's more, first-gen students often have less confidence in their abilities to succeed, even when they boast the same level of high school preparation and achievement as their non-FGCS peers.įamily members with degrees not only help students imagine themselves in college but can also provide practical know-how on entrance exams, applications, and deadlines.Īpplying to college is a complex process, but the application hurdles disguise the fact that getting into college is entirely doable for many FGCS. Many FGCS lack the same family and financial support that helps students from high-income families complete college. 3 Key Tips for First-Generation College Students And it's not just about family income: Aspiring first-gen college students should seek out academic guidance and resources in addition to financial aid.
Whatever the formula used to designate first-gen students, the term, as journalist Rochelle Sharpe points out, serves as "code for 'low income' or 'underprivileged.'" First-gen students are assumed to have parents with "little or no experience navigating the academic, financial, and cultural barriers to higher education, including an application process that stymies even the most savvy parent."įGCS are at a disadvantage to peers whose parents attended college. Source: - Rochelle Sharpe, The New York Times
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“Whether used as code for ‘low income’ or ‘underprivileged’ … the label comes with assumptions: that the student’s parents have little or no experience navigating the academic, financial, and cultural barriers to higher education …”. Colleges can identify first-generation students (per their respective definitions) on the Common Application, which asks for parents' education history. Meanwhile, schools and educational associations often rely on other definitions of FGCS. This likely holds true for campuses nationwide, with many students potentially being considered FGCS.Īccording to the Higher Education Act, which determines eligibility for federal aid programs, a student is considered an FGCS if neither parent holds a bachelor's degree however, this rule only applies to parents who regularly live with the student. Using data from a 2002 study of 7,300 students, researchers found that the number of students defined as "first generation" could vary from 22-77% of the sample size. What Does "First-Generation College Student" Mean? FGCS who tap into their school's resources and programs have a better chance of graduating and entering the workforce with a bachelor's degree. These days, more high schools, colleges, and organizations are paying attention to the needs of first-gen students.
Research shows that FGCS are more likely to be older Black or Hispanic women who have dependent children and hail from low-income communities. Becoming a first-generation college graduate often means defying the odds. Even though enrollment rates for first-generation college students have risen, graduation rates for this group remain low.Īccording to the Center for First-Generation Student Success, over half of college students can be considered first generation - meaning neither of their parents holds a bachelor's degree.Īlthough enrollment rates have increased for FGCS, graduation rates remain low.
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