<p>What makes you first generation? If say my mom took classes at a local techincal college but did not receive a degree does that disqualify me or not? Thanks.</p>
<p>From what we were told, as long as your parents didn't graduate with a degree from college (mainly 4 yr) you are first generation.
Colleges seem to like to have first generation students and I heard quite a few admisison officers say, they like to be the ones that get them on the college track.
Of course, other things are considered too, but having "another check" in your corner, can't hurt.</p>
<p>It depends on the school as not all schools have a hard and fast rule as what constitutes first generation. </p>
<p>According to the The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is the primary federal entity for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data related to education in the United States and other nations, first-generation students are defined as those whose parents’ highest level of education is a high school diploma or less.</p>