My mom has been taken a few community college courses but never recieved a degree, and my father the same. Could I be considered “first generation”?
There is no "1st generation " box to check off. Common App asks you to detail your parents’ education. What and how colleges see this is up to them.
I’m actually applying for a scholarship that asks this specifically.
Then you should check with that scholarship directly.
Colleges use as many as three possible definitions for “first generation” college student:
- Neither parent has a 4-year college degree.
- Neither parent has a college degree (2-year or 4-year).
- Neither parent has completed education past high school (i.e. never took any college courses).
The most common definition is 1 or 2, so you should most likely be fine, but double check with the scholarship directly.
Yes you are first generation.
Okay, great! I’ll double check with the scholarship, but thank you!