<p>How much would it help in terms of admissions?</p>
<p>I think it is helps a good deal...not sure how much but it also depends on context. If your family is rich but you're first-gen, it's not going to help too much. But disadvantaged (low-income) along with first-gen I think is a big help (my case).</p>
<p>Here's my scenario..mom dropped out of high school, aquired GED, but a year back decided she would enroll into a few college courses at the local CC. Do I still count as a first generation? Could I possibly pass it off as one if I technically aint one? Yes, I am a $30,000< income family. Single parent home.</p>
<p>You're still first generation!!</p>
<p>Phew...thanks!</p>
<p>It doesn't help much whether your poor or rich. If you're poor you're poor. If you're rich you're rich.</p>
<p>My mom got her degree when she I was 15. Guess I'm not 1st gen anymore?</p>
<p>What about an associate's degree? it's only a two year degree. so does it count?</p>
<p>Both Low income and First generation are +. So together you are 2+. So I think just try to do your best as you will not be short changed.</p>
<p>In terms of middle-lower middle class, how much would being first-gen help?</p>
<p>What if one of my parents is very low income (less than 15k before child support), and the other is rather wealthy (200k+)? (They're divorced and I live in each household for equal amounts of time).</p>
<p>Do I count as low income?</p>
<p>My parents earn ~$35000 together, and the country i live in has a 30% income tax, do I count as low income?</p>
<p>Also, neither parent have graduated Highschool, and none in my family have graduated from University (they didn't complete their programs). So I count as a first gen?</p>
<p>Why do they prefer first-gens and low-income anyway? Is it because first gens with good stats show that it's by their own means (without help) that they passed with distinction?</p>
<p>The way the top schools calculate low income is with respect to the country you live in.</p>
<p>Family earning $30,000 in USA may be considered poor but in many countries it will put you in the top 5%.</p>
<p>So if you are from such a country don't think you will get advantage.
But yes, if non of your parent have graduated then you may get some advantage but it become very vague for an international applicant as it is difficult to verify.</p>
<p>mj93: You cannot be counted as Low income. Parent even if divorced are considered as one unit for that purpose. So you will even be out of getting any Fed loans too.</p>
<p>on the FAFSA you only put custodial parent FYI</p>
<p>Yes but according to MJ93, he/she lives equal time with both. So both have to be custodial parent.</p>
<p>Would being low-income and working a 40 hours/week job help (or even give some leeway for a 3.5 GPA)?</p>
<p>Holding Job always help if you maintain grades.</p>
<p>See a straight A student is boring only if there is another straight A student with Job.</p>
<p>When it is between a straight A boring student and a straight B job holder, then chances are straight A wins.</p>
<p>So you need to maintain grade in order to benefit from </p>
<p>low-income family
steady jobs</p>
<p>Not necessarily as high as All A's but you should not get B's and C's.</p>
<p>Thanks ParentOfIvyHope.</p>