What is a first generation college student?
Hey, $mart parents 👋
Teach money lessons at home with Greenlight’s $mart Parent newsletter. Money tips, insights, and fun family trivia — delivered every month.
A first-generation college student is the first in their family to attend college. Some institutions or groups may view the definition more broadly, but the concept has gained traction in recent decades to acknowledge students navigating higher education without a family roadmap. Identifying as first-gen can help connect students with scholarship opportunities, mentorship programs, and targeted academic support.
How colleges define first-gen students
Even with the shared goal of supporting these students, definitions of "first-generation" vary widely. Some colleges define it strictly: neither parent attended any college or university. Others are more flexible, considering students whose parents took some college classes but never earned a degree. Some also include students raised by caregivers or extended family without higher-education experience.
These distinctions are more than semantics. They can affect eligibility for grants, honors programs, and campus resources. That’s why some groups advocate for more consistent definitions and broader institutional recognition.
Be a financially smart family!
In addition to clearer criteria, advocates have called for systemic changes in how colleges serve these students. Their efforts focus on helping schools build more inclusive practices, from onboarding to graduation. This includes improving access to advising, offering specialized training for faculty and staff, and using data to address equity gaps.
What first-gen students may experience
Being first-gen can bring pride, but also pressure. Many students in this group juggle academic expectations with family responsibilities and part-time jobs, leading to financial strain. And school-related tasks, even basics like applying for financial aid or picking classes, can be more challenging without guidance from a parent who’s navigated the college system.
That said, first-gen students bring unique strengths to the table. They may have developed resilience, resourcefulness, and leadership skills that serve them well during and after college. According to U.S. Department of Education data, about a third of college students today identify as first-generation. If you’re a first-generation college student, you’re far from alone.
Tips for first-gen students navigating college
Whether you're preparing for college or already enrolled, here are some steps to help you thrive:
Understand your status. Learn how your school defines first-generation. This can affect eligibility for grants, programs, or peer networks.
Explore support services. Look for academic counseling, peer mentorship, or summer bridge programs for first-gen students.
Use your financial aid office. They can walk you through FAFSA, scholarships, and budgeting tools like Greenlight, where you can automate deposits, approve spending, and let friends and family help via pay link.
Build your network. You might be surprised how many peers and professors share your background.
Own your identity. Being a first-generation student can be seen as a sign of your determination and vision.
Good money-management skills make a difference.
Teaching kids early how to budget, save, and manage their money wisely puts them way ahead of the college-tuition game. Tools like Greenlight, the #1 family family finance and safety app, make it easy.
Learn financial basics through fun LevelUp games
Automate chores and allowance
Help grow their money with cashback* and savings rewards**
Track spending
Set savings goals
Practice investing basics safely with parental approval. You can even try it out for one month, risk-free.†
How families can help
Parents and guardians who didn’t attend college may feel unsure how to help their child prepare. But your support matters more than perfect advice. Encouragement, open conversations, and helping your child advocate for themselves can go a long way.
Learn to earn, save, and invest together. With a debit card of their own, kids and teens learn to spend wisely. Kickstart a lifetime of money smarts today💰Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.
This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
*Greenlight Max and Infinity families can earn 1% cash back on spending monthly. To qualify, the Primary Account must be in Good Standing and have a verified ACH funding account. See Greenlight Terms of Service for details. Subject to change at any time.
**Greenlight Core families can earn 2% per annum, Greenlight Max families can earn 3% per annum, and Greenlight Infinity families can earn 5% per annum on an average daily savings balance of up to $5,000 per family. To qualify, the Primary Account must be in Good Standing and have a verified ACH funding account. See Greenlight Terms of Service for details. Subject to change at any time.
Share via
