What Is a First-Generation College Student?

The definition of a first-generation college student is debatable. High school counselors and college admissions officers disagree on what types of students fit the term. What if one of the student’s parents has a college degree? What if it’s an associate degree? What if the college-educated parent isn’t actively involved in the student’s life?

The broadest definition of a first-generation college student (FGCS) is someone whose family lacks a college-going tradition. Many FGCS come from low-income families with minimal exposure to higher education.

According 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. By the National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) standards, 37% of undergrads were first-gen in 2016.

Although enrollment rates have increased for FGCS, graduation rates remain low. Becoming a first-generation college graduate often means defying the odds. Research shows that FGCS are more likely to be older Black or Hispanic women from low-income communities with dependent children.

These days, more high schools, colleges, and organizations are paying attention to first-gen students’ needs. 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.

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. This likely holds true for campuses nationwide, with many students potentially being considered FGCS.

According 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.

Meanwhile, schools and educational associations often rely on other definitions of FGCS. Colleges can identify first-generation students (per their respective definitions) on the Common Application, which asks for parents’ education history.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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.”

FGCS are at a disadvantage to peers whose parents attended college. 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.

Many FGCS lack the same family and financial support that helps students from high-income families complete college. 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.

Family members with degrees help students imagine themselves in college and provide practical know-how on entrance exams, applications, and deadlines.

Applying to college is a complex process, but the application hurdles disguise the fact that getting into college is entirely doable for many FGCS. In reality, most schools admit a majority of applicants.

Many colleges aim to admit more first-generation, low-income, and minority students, bettering the educational odds for disadvantaged groups. Indeed, higher education as a whole is taking greater account of adversity when admitting students and placing a stronger emphasis on diversifying campuses.

Here are three ways FGCS can improve their chances of succeeding in college and fulfilling their academic goals.

College is a real option for many graduating high school seniors, but those who are low-income, Black, and/or Hispanic are far less likely to pursue higher education. Educational Opportunity Programs (EOPs), which many colleges offer, can help bridge the gap between high school and college for low-income and first-generation students.

In the summer between high school and college, EOPs prepare students for challenging college coursework. Many students from underfunded high schools lack exposure to the rigorous curriculum, particularly advanced math, that can raise their chances of enrolling at a four-year college.

These academic bootcamps are impactful even for FGCS leaving high school with good grades and strong SAT/ACT scores. Succeeding in college requires that students understand the course expectations and feel empowered to meet them.

EOPs are typically available to in-state students at public colleges, and eligibility is based on family income and demonstrated student interest.

Despite the overwhelming evidence that college pays off, just a small percentage of low-income students — far fewer than those from middle- and high-income families — attend college. And very few low-income students get as far as applying.

In the early 1990s, when academic success rates were even more tightly tied to race and family income, researchers found that differences in enrollment rates were “eliminated among those students who ha[d] taken the college entrance examinations and completed an application for admission, the two steps necessary to attend a four-year college.”

The public and private high schools offering the best resources encourage all of their students to apply to college. Many students at well-funded high schools are pushed to attend college by their counselors, teachers, and parents.

By contrast, parents of under-resourced students often lack awareness of the social and economic benefits of college. Because these parents are less likely to attend information sessions about financial aid, they may not realize the numerous options available to students from low-income families, such as full-ride Pell Grants.

Taking the leap and applying to college is key, but keep in mind that much of the economic value of college hinges on graduating. Improving attendance rates and graduation rates of FGCS are separate but interrelated goals that must be addressed at the K-12 and college levels.