FIRST
GENERATION
STUDENTS
Dr. Virginia Krolczyk
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
What is “First Generation”
A first-generation college student is defined
as a student whose parent(s)/legal
guardian(s) have not completed a
Bachelor degree. This means that student is
the first in their family to attend a four-year
college/university to attain a bachelor's
degree. Being first-generation is a very
proud accomplishment
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Struggles Endured
 Applying
to College
 Filling out the FAFSA
 Seeking Scholarships
 Determining a Career Path
 Understanding Return on Investment
 Asking for Guidance
 Coping with Transition
 Completing Studies
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Applying to College
 Many
first generation students are
confused on “how” to fill out a college
application.
 They
tend to underestimate their abilities
and skills when filling in required fields.
 Uncertainty
looms over which college is
the best choice.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Filling out the FAFSA
 First
gen students sometimes are not
aware they need to do this.
 This
 If
is a very complicated and
cumbersome process.
assistance exists; they do not necessarily
know how to seek it out.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Seeking Scholarships
 Students
are unaware of the monies
available through local, national, and
academic levels.
 Students
do not always grasp that this
money does not have to be paid back.
 Students
doubt their ability to fill out these
sometimes simple applications.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Determining a Career Path
 First
generation students sometimes do
not have a clue as to what field they
want to pursue.
 Once
a career path has been selected;
they may not fathom what specifically is
needed to acquire such degree.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Understanding Return on
Investment
 It
may be unclear with a particular
degree what career can be sought.
 First
gen student’s tend to doubt
capabilities.
 Perception
and reality of profession may
be skewed.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Asking for Guidance
 Social
anxiety looms on all students; but
with these students it is intensified
 Being
the first to attend college, they
often don’t know what questions to ask.
 They
worry too many questions may be
viewed as the inability to succeed.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Coping with Transition
 Do
not know what to expect of a college
campus.
 Simply
matters easily become complex .
 Deadlines,
process, and procedures can
be very overwhelming.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Completing Studies
 Language
 Knowing
sometimes can be a barrier
what or how to study presents
challenges.
 May
need assistance in identifying
learning style to achieve personal best
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Concerns of Families
 Financial
Burden
 Campus Safety
 Social and Emotional Differences
 Academic Incongruence
 Understanding Process and Procedures
 Course Selections
 Connecting with Peers and Professors
 Staying focused on goals
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Financial Burden
 Parents
worry that their child will endure a
lot of debt with the inability to pay it back.
 There
is a sense of guilt if unable to assist
financially.
 Uncertain
funding.
how to guide student to seek
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Campus Safety


If the student is a female, there is a looming
fear of sexual assault.
Overindulgence of binge drinking/substance
abuse possibly leading to death.

Unable to protect from random acts o
violence ie: shootings
[Sharing campus safety statistics may ease
some of these concerns.]
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Social and Emotional
Differences
 First
gen parents view their child as having
a disadvantage compared to peers.
 If
far from home, they worry about undue
stress and the child’s fear of managing it.
 Misconstrue
being busy as being
despondent.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Academic Incongruence
 Parents
worry about their inability to
academically assist their kids.
 Parents
sometimes feel intimidated by the
knowledge their child is gaining
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Understanding Process and
Procedures
How will their child know:
 Which
classes to register for.
 How to register.
 Days, times, and locations of classes.
 Convoluted terminology.
 How to apply for graduation.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Course Selections
 First
gen students/families may not
comprehend certain courses are only
offered certain times of the year.
 May
not realize a grade or GPA can
place a student on academic probation.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Connecting with Peers and
Professors
 Worry
student may not know how to
become involved in campus functions.
 Fears
student might exhibit apprehension
in seeking help.
 Concerned
about students self-esteem.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Staying Focused on Goals
 Families
of first gen worry
freedom/independence may interfere
with educational goals.
 Also
worry about the student’s inability to
find balance between academia, social,
and health.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
In Summary
 First
Generation Students fear what they
do not know.
 The
better informed these students and
their families are, the less fearful they will
be.
 When
fear is reduced, risks are more likely
to occur.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
The #1 factor
 Being
connected to someone that can
mentor, guide, direct, and befriend the
student so comfort and ease exists when
questions of doubt or ambiguity arise.
 This
connection spiritually and
emotionally makes all the difference in
completion and success.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Questions for First Generation
Students to ask Representatives
 Are
scholarships automatic, based on
GPA/test scores, or does a student need
to apply?
 If
a scholarship is received from the
college, is it automatically renewed or
does a student need to reapply each
year?
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Questions for First Generation
Students to ask Representatives
 What
is the deadline to fill is out the
FAFSA?
 What
is an award letter?
 Is
someone available at the college to
help understand the award letter sent by
FAFSA?
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Questions for First Generation
Students to ask Representatives
 How
much is each credit hour?
 How
many credit hours make up one
class?
 How
many credit hours are needed to
obtain a Bachelor’s degree?
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Questions for First Generation
Students to ask Representatives
 What
 Is
is the student to teacher ratio?
tutoring available?
 Are
professors available outside the class?
 What
activities/groups/organizations are
available?
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
Questions for First Generation
Students to ask Representatives
 How
do I determine which program
should be pursued?
 Upon
graduation, does the college assist
in finding a job?
 How
does repayment of a student loan
work?
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk
What questions can I answer
for you?
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS Dr. Krolczyk