First-generation student is a student whose parents or guardians have not completed a bachelor’s degree.
How it works
The student indicates parental education level on the admissions application or FAFSA. The institution flags the record. Eligible students are invited to first-generation support programs, which may include dedicated advisors, peer mentors, or workshops on aid and registration. Researchers use the flag to analyze retention and completion gaps. The designation does not itself change aid eligibility but often correlates with need-based aid.
Example: a student whose parents completed high school but not college is coded as first-generation. The online university assigns a first-generation peer mentor and includes the student in a summer bridge webinar on reading award letters and using the degree audit.
How it differs
Pell eligibility is based on financial need, not parental education. First-time student refers to lack of prior college enrollment, not parental education. A continuing-generation student has at least one parent with a bachelor’s degree. First-generation status is demographic and support-related.
Common errors
Assuming first-generation status automatically qualifies a student for additional federal grants. Using inconsistent definitions when comparing institutional data. Overlooking first-generation adult online students because support programs were designed for traditional-aged campus students.
References
- 1. Federal TRIO definition of first-generationNeither parent completed a bachelor’s degree
- 2. Institutional first-generation support programsAdvising and programming
First-generation student is a student whose parents or guardians have not completed a bachelor’s degree.