First-Generation College Student & What it Means

Last updated on August 11, 2026.

Quick Answer:

A first-generation (often “first-gen) college student is someone whose parents or guardians never completed a four-year (bachelor’s) degree. Although this is considered the standard definition, it is not applied universally. Colleges, support programs, and scholarships may use different definitions. Below are a handful of unique definitions for a first-generation college student:

Am I a First-Generation College Student?

Whether you are considered a first-gen depends on the institution and the specific criteria it uses. Generally, if neither of your parents earned a four-year college degree, you would be considered first-generation. However, the definition has evolved, with many institutions now recognizing the following nuanced differences:

• Students whose parents immigrated to the United States and completed a degree outside the U.S.
• Students whose parents attended college but did not complete a degree.
• Students whose parents attended community college or other two-year degree programs.
• Students whose estranged parents attended college but whose primary caregivers did not.

If your situation involves a unique circumstance (e.g., a foreign degree or a non-traditional family structure), it’s best to verify the definition for the specific college, scholarship, or support program before submitting an application.

First-Generation Students by the Numbers

The data helps put the first-generation experience in context, both in how large this group is and where the real gaps show up.

• Share of undergraduates: First-generation students make up about 54% of all undergraduates in the U.S., or roughly 8.2 million students, according to the Center for First-Generation Student Success and FirstGen Forward.
• Graduation rates: First-generation students graduate at a lower rate (24%) compared to their continuing-generation peers (59%), according to the same data.
• Growth over time: Roughly 38% of undergraduates were first-generation as of 2020, which is up from 18% in 2011-2012, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
• Earnings gap: Even after graduating, first-generation alumni ($99,600) tend to earn less than their continuing-generation counterparts ($135,800), according to research conducted by the Pew Research Center.

The increase in first-generation representation across higher education reflects both a growing population and a broadening definition. However, the data highlights very real challenges that first-gen students may face in accessing college and completing their degrees. These gaps are a major reason many colleges invest in support programs specifically designed for first-generation students.

What First-Generation Status Means for College Admissions

Applying to college can be both exciting and overwhelming, even more so for a student without a parent who’s been through the process. These students may lack college knowledge, including academic systems, the college application process, college deadlines, and how financial aid works. But first-gen applicants also have access to strategies, scholarships, and programs designed to help them navigate the road to college and beyond.

How Colleges Use First-Gen Status in Admissions

Most selective colleges use a holistic review process, evaluating a student’s full context, not just specific aspects of their college application. First-generation status is one of the factors admissions officers consider to understand what a student's achievements relative to their circumstances.

Where to Report First-Generation Status on the Common App

The Common App identifies a student’s status using the information submitted in the Family section. In this section, a student must report on each parent or guardian’s highest level of education. Students may also mention their first-gen status in the Additional Information section or in their Common App essay.

Questbridge and Match Programs

QuestBridge’s National College Match program connects high-achieving, low-income, and many first-generation students with full four-year scholarships at various colleges and universities, with approximately 80% of their finalists having first-gen status.

• Over 50 institutions participate in Questbridge’s program, including Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Vanderbilt, and UChicago.
• Harvard was the last Ivy League institution to enroll in Questbridge and welcomed its first round of Questbridge admits for the Class of 2030.
• UPenn reported a record-high cohort including 83 first-gen students for the Class of 2030.
• Of Yale’s 779 early admitted students, 118 were admitted through Questbridge for the Class of 2030 cycle.

Fly-In and College Visit Programs

Some colleges offer high school students, particularly first-gen or those from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, an immersive campus visit through a fly-in program. A handful of fly-in programs are tied to Questbridge, while others run independently through participating institutions.

The application process for fly-in programs varies, but eligible students are typically asked to apply to the program or submit an intake form by a specific deadline. Students may be required to submit supplemental information such as a short essay response, transcripts, personal and financial information, or video responses.

Fly-in programs give selected students a unique opportunity to experience campus life firsthand before making a final decision about where to apply or enroll.

Scholarships for First-Generation Students

Plenty of local, state, and federal scholarships are reserved specifically for first-gen applicants. Helpful tools such as Scholarships.com and BigFuture by the College Board are great resources in identifying scholarship opportunities and understanding eligibility requirements.

Additionally, two of the most well-known scholarships for first-gen students are:

1. The Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship for minority, low-income, and/or first-generation students.

2. The Coca-Cola First-Generation Scholarship

The Coca-Cola First-Generation Scholarship (as emphasized in the title) is reserved for first-generation students who demonstrate financial need, with a maximum scholarship amount of $10,000.

Tips for First-Generation Students Applying to College

The college admissions process can be challenging, but with the right approach, students can feel confident about their path forward.

• Start early and ask for support. Admissions processes shift every year, and starting early gives you more time to build your portfolio, weigh college options, and explore aid. Ask questions early, too. Many students miss out on valuable opportunities or helpful resources because they didn’t ask questions.
• Research and connect with programs built for first-gen students. A growing number of resources exist specifically for you:
  • FirstGen Forward.
  • First Generation Foundation.
  • First-Generation College Institute by Georgia Institute of Technology (Grades 8-12 summer program).
  • Federal TRIO Programs.
  • I’m First (a student-led community and support guide).
  • College Horizons (a college-access program for eligible Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students).
• Be proud of your first-gen status. Bring information about your first-gen status into your application where it’s authentic and adds value to your experience, goals, and path forward. This may be in the Common App’s Additional Information section or an essay.
• Be honest in the application. Some students with unique circumstances may qualify as first-gen to some colleges and not others. Never attempt to falsify or misrepresent information in hopes of gaining a specific outcome. Colleges can verify the information if they have reason to believe it is inaccurate.

For Parents: Supporting a First-Gen Applicant When You Didn't Go Through This Yourself

If you didn’t go through the process yourself, it’s easy to assume you don’t have much to offer here. However, there are plenty of ways parents and guardians can help their teen navigate the process:

• Help your teen get financial clarity. Understand how the FAFSA works, state aid applications, the cost of attending college, and make affordability a list-building criterion from day one.

• Understand the different college application deadlines. Conduct general research on college deadlines to understand what options are available, how to manage your family’s time, and what support your teen needs to complete their applications on time.

• Judge campus support, not just admission odds. For every school your teen is seriously considering, look past the acceptance rate for what support is available to first-gen students once they arrive on campus. These on-campus programs or first-gen centers can offer valuable emergency or basic-needs support, tutoring, career guidance, and a clear point of contact.

• Encourage college readiness and support through the transition to college. Your teen will undoubtedly be navigating unfamiliar territory in college. Give them space to develop academic, executive functioning, and essential life skills required to be successful in college and beyond.

• Encourage agency, but know when to ask for help. Ask your teen what kind of support they actually need and want. Let them take the lead, but know when to step in and offer guidance or when it may be time to ask other trusted adults (counselors or teachers) for additional support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do colleges favor first-generation students in admissions?

While there is no official data to prove that colleges favor first-generation students, many colleges do take their status into account while evaluating them holistically, recognizing the obstacles that can come from being the first in their family to apply and/or attend college.

What are the best colleges to attend for first-generation college students?

The list of colleges offering support to first-generation students is extensive. However, here are three of the top schools that actively continue their support in 2025 and beyond. To understand more about a college’s programs and if they’re right for you, head to the official college website for more information.

1. University of Buffalo

The University of Buffalo’s Proud to be First program offers mentorship and engagement opportunities for first-generation students on campus.

2. Pennsylvania State University

Penn State’s Student Success Centre is dedicated to supporting first-generation students. Their support includes their annual First-Generation Student Support Summit and First-Generation Celebration, which aims to celebrate and recognize students across campus.

Additionally, Penn State’s student-led First-Gen Advocates (FGA) organization mentors first-generation advancement through organized workshops, networking opportunities, and community-building events.

3. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Starting in 2026, UCLA’s First to Go program promotes campus involvement and engagement opportunities for first-generation students. Their resources include an ongoing newsletter, organized events, and resource guides to help with student transitions.

How College Can Help

At Collegewise, we recognize that many families are navigating the college admissions process for the first time. Whether it's a teen who's the first in their family to go to college or parents who completed an education outside the U.S., partnering with a trusted college counseling service can create a more manageable and enjoyable experience. 

Through our individualized college counseling, we match families with counselors who know how to navigate the access, financial aid, and transition questions that typically come up for first-generation students. 

If you're not sure where to start, our free consultation allows parents to learn more about our programs, services, and how we can best help your family with counseling, academic tutoring, extracurricular mentorship, essay support, and more. 

About Us: With more than 26 years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the family. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for your student to be their best self - whether in the classroom, the applications, or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, lead to 4x higher than average admissions rates.