First-Generation Students
Counseling first-generation students about college
Working with first-generation students—those who will be in the first generation of their families to go to college—presents a counselor with special challenges as well as great potential rewards. What particular needs do first-generation students have, and how can you best guide them?
Who are first-generation students?
First-generation students can come from families with low incomes, or from middle-class families without a college-going tradition. Some have parents who support their plans for higher education; others are under family pressure to enter the workforce right after high school.
Often these students don't know what their options are regarding higher education, have fears about going to college, and have misconceptions about college and its costs.
Strategies for working with these students
1. Reach out early.
Identify your first-generation students as early as possible so that you can begin to talk with them and their families about college and about what high school course work will prepare them for college:
- Talk to them about taking AP and honors courses to prepare for college-level work.
- Make sure that they take a solid, challenging course load they meet the requirements for college admission—even if they're not yet sure they'll go.
- Encourage them to take the PSAT/NMSQT® in 10th grade and then make full use of the free skill-assessment and building tools on My College QuickStart.
2. Extend the scope of your counsel; cover the basics of self-assessment, college, and careers.
First-generation students may never have been encouraged to assess their talents and weaknesses with a view toward higher education. They are also likely to have slim knowledge of what educational requirements are needed for certain professions.
"Sometimes, they don't know the difference between a doctor and someone who draws blood. You have to educate them about the different professions and how their skills and interests play a role in making appropriate choices," says Scott White of Montclair High School, New Jersey.
Help first-generation students understand how their interests and skills can connect to a career and higher education options:
- Conduct early aptitude assessments.
- Talk to them about their skills and interests and which career paths these might point to. Probe. If a student says he wants to be an architect, ask what he thinks architects do and how much education they need.
- Give them the Student Self-Assessment (.pdf/79K) and encourage them to fill it out.
- Be honest with them about where they are and what they should focus on.
3. Involve the family.
Working successfully with the families of first-generation students may take different strategies. You will likely meet a wide range of attitudes about college (from supportive to obstructive) and may have to explain college basics or make the case for the value of higher education. Share the fact about why college is important.
For more information, see the article Helping Families Research Colleges.
4. Give special help with college search and selection.
When discussing college options with these students, take time to describe the different types of colleges in the United States. You may have to explain terms like "liberal arts college."
Be aware that some colleges seek first-generation students. Try to identify these schools and pass the information on to your students.
Watch for (and combat) students' preconceptions that they can't afford college at all, or the reverse—that they will easily get full scholarships. And watch for (and combat) students' or families' fixations on "name" colleges.
Make sure students know that private colleges may be financially feasible thanks to grants and financial aid (many students will assume that they can only afford a public university).
Encourage students to visit colleges. Organize school-led trips, if possible. And make sure they take advantage of your college fairs and information nights.
Talk to students about community college. This is a good fit for some first-generation students. Point them to the article Why Community College for more information.
5. Give special help with college applications.
First-generation students from families with low incomes may qualify for waivers of test fees and of college application fees. Make sure they're aware of this early on.
Educate students about application deadlines. Some of these students may not understand that these deadlines are firm.
Counselors report that first-generation students are more hesitant than other students to apply online.
If they file paper forms:
- Stress the importance of neatness and of making copies of all parts of an application.
- Remind them to use their full name consistently.
- If you can, review the forms with students before they send them to colleges.
6. Give special help with financial aid applications and packages.
See the Explaining Financial Aid section for detailed articles and information about financial aid.
Families unfamiliar with college financing are easy targets for scams. Let students and families know that they should not pay anyone to help them find scholarships, fill out the FAFSA, or handle any other aspect of the financial aid process.
7. Explain what college will be like.
Research shows that first-generation students report being challenged by their lack of experience with time management and money management; by the economic realities of college; and by the impersonal nature of institutions of higher learning. (Richardson and Skinner, New Directions for Community Colleges, no. 80, 1992)
Talk with your students about what college will be like. They may feel more adrift than most first-year college students. Tell them that there are support systems on campus and that the tuition and fees they pay gives them free access to these services.
8. Work with other organizations.
Consider developing college-awareness events with the local middle schools.
Let students know that they can take classes at local community colleges and earn both high school and college credit.
Develop relationships with community groups and outreach organizations that provide academic help to young people.
Research programs for first-generation and other "at-risk" students such as AVID, CollegeEd, Talent Search, Upward Bound, Urban League, and summer bridge programs.