Last updated on August 11, 2026.
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:
|
Situation |
First-Gen or Not? |
|
Parent(s) started college but did not finish. |
Yes. |
|
Parent(s) have an associate degree or trade certificate. |
Yes. |
|
Parent(s) earned a degree outside the United States. |
Depends on the institution. |
|
Parent(s) earned a two-year college degree or attended community college. |
Depends on the institution. |
|
Older sibling(s) or grandparent(s) have a degree, but not the parent. |
Depends on the institution, but generally, yes. |
|
Older sibling(s) attended college, but did not complete their degree. |
Yes. |
|
Estranged parent(s) have a degree, but the custodial parent/guardian does not. |
Yes—most colleges go by the individual who raised the 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:
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.
The data helps put the first-generation experience in context, both in how large this group is and where the real gaps show up.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
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.
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 for identifying scholarship opportunities and understanding eligibility requirements.
Additionally, two of the most well-known scholarships for first-gen students are:
The Gates Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship for minority, low-income, and/or first-generation students.
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.
The college admissions process can be challenging, but with the right approach, students can feel confident about their path forward.
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:
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.
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.
The University of Buffalo’s Proud to be First program offers mentorship and engagement opportunities for first-generation students on campus.
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.
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.
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 27 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.