The idea of being a first generation college student (first-gen) sounds so inspiring, right? Your parents didn’t go to college, and neither did your grandparents, your uncle, or any older relative in your family. But you decided to be “better” than that. You decided that you wanted more for yourself than a regular job. You want to work for yourself, and that is EXACTLY what you’re doing in college. All of that sounds so great, however, being a first-gen isn’t like how you see it in movies. There is continuous pressure, there are challenges, and you need to be educated on what they are. First-gens, you aren’t alone.
1. Finances get in the way
While most first-gens can come from low-income, middle class income, or high income households, most first-gens are from low income households. Most first-gens students don’t have the funds to pay for college. Money, along with many other factors, is the reason that only 11% of first-gens graduate college, as opposed to 55% of non-first generation college students. Sometimes, the only thing these students can rely on is loans, financial aid, and merit-based scholarships (which first generation students are 40% more less likely to receive). It definitely doesn’t help that college keeps getting more expensive on a nationwide level.
2. Finding help on your own is a problem
Speaking of money, FAFSA can be the most difficult thing for a first-gen student to do, but we are less likely to ask for help on forms like FAFSA, and other crucial things required for college according to experts. In many cases that is true, but it isn’t because we don’t want help with college. Our parents can only help us to a certain extent, but once our parents can’t help us, often times we don’t know what questions to ask or where to go to get these questions answered. The process is slow and stressful, and it is hard enough getting into to college.
3. College is not an option
When I say this, I mean that college is not apart of the culture in our households. First-gen families may use the tactic of going straight to work after high school instead of pursuing higher education. College is not a tradition in first-gen family households. Often times, if a first-gen family member does decide to go to college, this person may wait until their late thirties to attend, and end up having a hard time trying to get to college. My family who decided to stay back home, work, and have children expect the same for me. College was never an expectiation, or requirement for them. However, I knew I could make it so that I can have a better future for my son.
4. There is everyday pressure
It is hard to understand a first generation student’s stress every day. You would think your family and friends would be proud of you for pursuing higher education, and having the ambition to leave our hometown, right? The reality is, sometimes, the people you think are in your corner might get jealous. It makes sense, because you are the only student in your hometown going to a university to obtain your Bachelor’s degree to make a career for yourself and have a stable amount of money to live with. But with all of that comes pressure, and haters. Along with school, some may have to help support their family by making extra money.
Even though being a first-gen comes with its challenges, remember that we are one in a million. First-gen students only make up one-third of college students in America. It takes courage, nerve, and a lot of ambition to step beyond the norm of your household and culture and pursue an education. With that being said, keep on keepin’ on, First-Gens!