My mom, on the other hand, has never went to college nor graduated. My dad went to technical school (2 years) and got his associates in biomed technology, which he doesn’t use, as both my parents run a small salon business in town. We’re relatively low income, making ~$40k a year. I’ve read in some articles it’s if both parents never went to a 4 year university and graduated, others it’s if they never went to college at all. How do I interpret this? Thanks.
Yes, you would definitely be first generation to pursue a 4-year degree. Technical school doesn’t count.
That’s a good question. Different colleges and universities use different definitions for first gen, so it’s perfectly OK for you to ask the admissions offices about this.
Each college and university has a Net Price Calculator on its website that you and your parents can use to help see if it might be affordable. However, people who run small businesses often find that the NPCs aren’t accurate, especially for colleges and universities that use the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA . So since it is likely that money will be an issue for you given your parents’ income, don’t be afraid to ask the financial aid office about the aid formula that they do use.
Why even mention that your dad has some college on your applications? I wouldn’t.
Probably because the OP wants an admissions boost for being first generation, and OP wants to be truthful on the transfer application about this status.
The CA will ask what level of education each parent has. Your F has an AA in biomed tech which probably falling the “graduated trade school or community college”. You will need to read each college’s criteria to see how they consider that as some might consider you first gen and others won’t.