<p>I completed an Assoc degree from Penn State. DH attended a 2 yr trade school. </p>
<p>Someone told us our kids would be considered 1st generation college student. Would they be correct, or does it depend on the college? </p>
<p>It depends on the college, they won’t really report back to you about it. You just put down what they ask about parent’s education on the form and don’t give it another thought.</p>
<p>Yes. First gen means neither parent <em>completed</em> a four-year degree (bachelors). </p>
<p>^Schools/programs/scholarships vary in their definition of a first gen student. For some, a parent attending college at all will cause the child not to be considered first gen; and there are different policies about tech schools, etc.</p>
<p>BP is correct, the student fills out the parent’s educational history and the school/program/scholarship determines if it fits their definition of first gen.</p>
<p>Maybe I’m just thinking of TRIO. </p>
<p>Usually, they don’t ask if you are a first generation college student on the application. It asks you the education level of your parents. The schools may have a different definition on first generation student.</p>