I’m just confused about the definition of a First Generation Student. My mother went to college but never completed her degree (she has no form of a college degree whether it be associate or bachelor’s), and my father ended up just going to a trade school for airplane mechanics. Does this qualify me a first generation college student, or no?
It does. Confirm with your GC.
Colleges ask you to what your parent’s education level is and will make that determination for themselves. I think many schools will not consider you first generation as your mother did attend college although she did not obtain a degree.
If you use the CC search function you can find many threads on this topic.
It is up to colleges to decide but it can be very difficult to figure out what criteria a specific college uses just from browsing their admissions webpages.
This is a nice clear statement (for which you would definitely qualify):
“If your parents or guardians don’t have a four-year degree, you’re considered a first-generation student by Grinnell College. Even if you have an older sibling who’s gone to college, you are still part of the first generation in your family to do so.”
Some colleges use the much more restrictive definition:
“A student with neither parent having any education beyond high school.”
While this quote (from a university that should know better) is just baffling:
“Did both your parents attend college and/ or do they have a four-year college degree?”
Don’t rely on your counselor and colleges can change their definitions from year to year so make sure when you’re looking at forum posts that the information applies to the current admissions cycle. The way to be sure is to fire off a quick email, contact form question, or phone call to colleges that interest you.
I’m in a similar spot… one parent went to college and never graduated, the other never attended college. It’s up to the college to determine. Contacting the admissions office is a great way to find out. I can sympathize with you!