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A first-generation college student is an individual who is the first person in his or her family to go to college. Students who fall into this category often have a staggering number of hurdles to clear because they have no one in their families to guide them through the college application process. These students come from families where the highest level of education that the parents have is a high school diploma or less.
Clearly, first-generation college students need extra support. First in Your Family: Your College Years: Advice about College from First-Generation Students by Kathleen Kushman is a 124-page booklet (available for free online) that guides students through the stages of college—from application to culture shock to time management—and offers some valuable resources.
According to a Web article by Michelle Toews and Ani Yazedjian, Ph.D., How Parents Can Help First Generation College Students Succeed, “Research suggests that first-generation college students might have a more difficult time adjusting to college because their parents do not have first-hand experience dealing with the demands of college life.” Because educators know that these students need extra support, there are a variety of scholarship programs available that exceed federal grants and loan programs.
Here is just a sampling that you or someone you know may want to investigate:
Florida First Generation Matching Grant Program
This program is for first-generation undergraduate students who have a financial need and have not yet earned a baccalaureate degree. Students who enroll for at least six credit hours in a community college or university may qualify.
Sallie Mae: First in My Family Scholarship Program
Sallie Mae and the Hispanic College Fund partnered together to create this scholarship. This scholarship is available to Hispanic Americans who are the first in their family to go to college and demonstrate financial need. For more information, visit this website.
Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship
This scholarship is for American Indian or Alaskan Native students who attend a tribal college or university, exhibit financial need, and have at least a 3.0 grade point average. You must be in your first or second semester of college to qualify. You can get more details here.
You May Qualify for College Assistance
Fortunately for many first-generation college students, there are a lot of resources available to help them navigate through the college application process. If you or someone you know is a first-generation college student, check out these resources to see if you can qualify for a college scholarship. When combined with federal grants, you may be able to go to college for a reduced cost or, better yet, for free.
