<p>From our son's school, we got an invitation to attend a brunch on move in day for first generation college students and their families. </p>
<p>My husband and I both have attended some college, and my husband is currently finishing his BA at night (recently classified as a senior). I have only attended community college but husband is attending a university.</p>
<p>Would S be classified as "first generation" because we don't have 4 yr degrees? The whole college experience is new to me because I never lived in a dorm and the comm college was just like high school. Husband started college right after high school 1200 miles from home. </p>
<p>I assume this classification came from FAFSA or his application maybe?</p>
<p>I'd call your kid first generation. Info could be gleaned from the application. Many applications ask the educational degrees of parents. I'd go to the brunch and see if it answers any questions or concerns you may have.</p>
<p>it does depend on the school, but generally first gen means that parents do not have a degree.
Go to the brunch, it will be good to meet other families.</p>
<p>The federal gov program I work for, which deals with first gen students, defines it as neither parent having a four year degree. Feel free to go and glean whatever from it is helpful for your family, and have a good time.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone's input. I guess I was just a little concerned that they think that we have no clue about college and its importance, what's required, etc. On the other hand, maybe that's part of the reason my S had received so much grant money from the school :)</p>
<p>I'd say go, but 4 yr degrees are not the only college degrees. There are 2 yr degrees, too. I'd guess having attended a college doesn't count but any degree would. I you or your parent have a.a., for example then current student is not first gen college.</p>
<p>They received the information from somewhere. It isn't as though they have private investigators checking every kid's background. I would bet it was from a form he filled out. And I agree with the rest that the question was "Does either or both of your parents have a four-year degree from a college or university?" Answer: Mother, Father, or Both. This is what this school would then use for its diversity (yes, first gen is part of that, too,) grant, and social and support functions.</p>
<p>As a parent of first gen students, albeit one who has attended community college, and has even been a college advisor for transfer students at the college, I would like to add, that no matter how much information you may glean from CC, there are still issues that may arise that you can't foresee or know how to handle, which present obstacles to your son or daughter completing their degree.</p>
<p>I would accept what ever support the college is willing to offer- if parents do not, they may reason it isn't needed- but it is good to have supports in place and not need them, than ...</p>