First-Gen Guide
Your Success Starts Here
Designed to help any first-gen low-income student choose and get into the right college.
Necessary tips, information, and motivation that you could use.
Designed to help any first-gen low-income student choose and get into the right college.
Necessary tips, information, and motivation that you could use.
College is important because it provides advanced education and specialized knowledge, which can lead to better career opportunities and higher earning potential. It also fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and personal growth. Additionally, college can offer valuable networking opportunities and expose students to diverse ideas and cultures, enhancing their overall development and preparedness for the professional world.
To choose the right college, consider these factors:
Additionally, you should visit campuses, talk to current students, and review college resources to make an informed decision.
Many colleges have their application systems and apps that they use to track their applications. To find out how to apply to the colleges you chose, you will need to visit their websites online. An example of such an application would be the Common App, which most colleges use as their application system. To apply to colleges you will also need additional information.
NOTE
Apart from traditional college, there are several other valuable paths you might also be interested in. Vocational training programs provide hands-on skills and certifications in specific trades, often leading directly to employment. Online courses and boot camps offer flexible learning in fields like coding or digital marketing, with practical skills that can boost career opportunities. Apprenticeships blend work experience with professional mentorship, giving real-world skills in various industries. Additionally, entrepreneurship offers a path for those interested in starting their own business. These options provide diverse opportunities to build a successful career without the traditional college route.
College can be hard, not only financially, but also academically and mentally. Here are some tips that address some of these issues
Being a first-gen and low-income can be quite challenging mentally.
No matter how hard it gets, it is important to keep pushing forward and remaining consistent, because consistency is key.
Leana Wen
Dr. Leana Wen is an American physician who is the former president of Planned Parenthood, making it almost half a century since a doctor has held this role at the organization. At age 18, Dr. Wen graduated summa cum laude from Cal State University, Los Angeles, and went on to get her medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine. She then became a Rhodes Scholar and attended the University of Oxford for her master’s degree. Following that, she was a clinical fellow at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Wen has held multiple positions, such as the president of the American Medical Student Association and a volunteer at Planned Parenthood, and was named one of the Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare. Aside from her current work in Planned Parenthood, she is also Baltimore’s Commissioner of Health.
Dr. Wen was born in Shanghai China. At age seven, her family fled from China to escape the Tiananmen Massacre. They arrived in the United States with only $40. She grew up in Compton, California, and later moved to Baltimore where she has worked to expand health care and reproductive rights. (risefirst.org).
Ursula Burns
Ursula Burns is the former CEO of Xerox, making her the first black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company. After high school, she attended the Polytechnic Institute of New York University and earned a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. After completing her Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University, Burns joined Xerox and eventually became its CEO in 2009. Some of her many accomplishments include being named one of the most influential women in 2015 by Forbes, being appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation, and serving as the Vice President of the President’s Export Council in 2010.
Burns and her three siblings were raised by their mother in a Manhattan low-income housing project. To have Burns attend a Catholic preparatory school, her mother worked multiple jobs. Now that Burns has had a successful career, she has been outspoken about growing up in poverty and has mentored and encouraged women and people of color to enter the tech industry. Burns wants others to know that being a black female is an advantage because she used her differences to set herself apart from others. One of her pieces of advice is “Never waste a good crisis,” because it was during some trying moments when she gained an incredible experience. (risefirst.org)
If you would like to share your story/journey with others, please fill out the form below.
Going to college can be quite expensive, which is why when choosing a school it is very important to take its cost into consideration
Use this calculator to estimate how much it will cost you to go to college.
Filter by School Name:
NOTE
This calculator only shows the amount of tuition you will have to pay.
It does NOT take into account your other expenses like housing, transportation, entertainment, etc.
You can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online. To apply you will need documents such as your tax and parental income information.
Many colleges offer tutoring centers, academic advisors, and study sessions to help you. You can also use online resources like Khan Academy for extra help.
Create/Use a budget tracker to track your income and expenses. Looking for scholarships and/or part-time jobs could also help. Be mindful when spending and try to save more.