Isabella Carter
First-generation college students are defined as those whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree. However, the definition varies by institution, with some extending the definition to those whose parents received degrees from non-US institutions or those whose parents have some college experience but did not earn a degree. First-generation students may come from low-income households, be students of colour, or be children of immigrant parents. They often face challenges in navigating the college application process and may qualify for additional aid and on-campus opportunities specifically for first-generation students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree | Yes |
| Parent(s) did not earn a bachelor's degree | Yes |
| Student from a low-income household | Sometimes |
| Student of colour | Sometimes |
| Child of immigrant parents | Sometimes |
| Working-class white student | Sometimes |
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What You'll Learn
- First-generation students are those whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree
- The definition varies by institution, meaning students can miss out on resources and opportunities
- Some first-generation students come from low-income households
- Some are students of colour, children of immigrant parents
- First-generation students tend to go to community colleges, trade schools and other vocational routes
First-generation students are those whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree
The definition of first generation varies by institution. For example, on one campus, a student whose parents both graduated from community college would be considered a first-generation student. On another, a student whose parents took one postsecondary class would not be. This shifting definition can add to the challenges for first-gen students, who may qualify for support at one institution but not when they move to another.
First-generation students tend to come from low-income households and are more likely to attend community colleges, trade schools and other vocational routes. However, they should not limit their options and should consider four-year degrees and more selective institutions. They should take into account a college's size, selectivity, location, extracurriculars, academics and cost, as well as the additional aid and on-campus opportunities offered specifically for first-generation students.
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The definition varies by institution, meaning students can miss out on resources and opportunities
The definition of a first-generation college student varies by institution, which can cause students to miss out on resources and opportunities.
A formal definition of a first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree. However, this definition does not account for the rich diversity of first-generation college students. For example, a student's parent(s) could have some college experience but did not earn a degree from a four-year college or university. Alternatively, a student's grandparents, aunts/uncles and siblings could have degrees, and they would still qualify as first generation.
Some institutions extend the definition to those whose parents received degrees from non-U.S. institutions, among other exceptions. This shifting definition can add to the challenges for first-gen students, who may qualify for support at one institution but not another. For example, on one campus, a student whose parents both graduated from community college would be considered a first-generation student, whereas on another, a student whose parents took one postsecondary class would not be.
First-generation students should consider the additional aid and on-campus opportunities offered specifically for them, such as summer bridge programs, first-generation cohorts and faculty mentorship programs. However, due to the varying definitions of a first-generation student, some students may not be aware of their eligibility for these resources.
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Some first-generation students come from low-income households
A first-generation college student is a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree. However, the definition varies by institution. For example, some institutions consider a student whose parents both graduated from community college to be a first-generation student, while others do not. This can lead to first-generation students missing out on resources and opportunities.
First-generation students should take into account a college's size, selectivity, location, extracurriculars, academics and cost. They should also consider the additional aid and on-campus opportunities offered specifically for first-generation students, such as summer bridge programs, first-generation cohorts and faculty mentorship programs.
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Some are students of colour, children of immigrant parents
A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree. However, this definition does not account for the diversity of first-generation students. For example, a student's parent(s) could have some college experience but did not earn a degree from a four-year college or university.
Some first-generation students are students of colour and children of immigrant parents. They may come from low-income households and tend towards community colleges, trade schools and other vocational routes. However, first-generation students should not limit their options and should consider four-year degrees and more selective institutions. They should take into account a college's size, selectivity, location, extracurriculars, academics and cost, as well as the additional aid and on-campus opportunities offered specifically for first-generation students.
The definition of first-generation varies by institution, which can be challenging for students as they may qualify for support at one institution but not another. For example, a student whose parents both graduated from community college would be considered a first-generation student at one campus, but not at another.
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First-generation students tend to go to community colleges, trade schools and other vocational routes
A first-generation college student is generally defined as a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree. However, this definition varies between institutions, and some extend the definition to include students whose parents received degrees from non-US institutions, or those whose parents have some college experience but did not earn a degree from a four-year college or university.
First-generation students should take into account a college's size, selectivity, location, extracurriculars, academics and cost. They should also consider the additional aid and on-campus opportunities offered specifically for first-generation students, such as summer bridge programs, first-generation cohorts and faculty mentorship programs.
The shifting definitions of first-generation students can add to the challenges they face, as they may qualify for support at one institution but not another, or they may meet the federal definition but not that of a nonprofit or a particular campus. This can cause them to miss out on resources and opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
A first-generation college student is someone whose parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree.
You would still be considered a first-generation college student.
You would still qualify as a first-generation student.
Yes, students from first-generation or low-income backgrounds tend toward community colleges, trade schools, and other vocational routes. However, first-generation students are encouraged to consider four-year degrees and more selective institutions as well.
