<p>Hello everybody,
Just a quick question. What exactly counts as a first generation college student?
Also, am I considered one?</p>
<p>My grandmother went somewhere for undergrad (don't exactly know where), but got her graduate degree at Pepperdine.
My grandfather went to the University of Illinois. </p>
<p>My dad had started his degree in engineering at CSUN, but dropped out several credits short of graduation because he didn't want to rely on his degree, (yeah, I know. Kind of a stupid decision to not graduate because you don't want to rely on your degree).
My mom went to LA Valley college, but didn't end up graduating.</p>
<p>Also, I don't have any older siblings. So basically, I don't have any immediate family to graduate college. </p>
<p>They’re not actually going to ask if you’re first-generation most of the time…they’ll ask something like whether either of your parents has a bachelor’s degree. Obviously you’re not technically first-generation but I’ve never actually seen a question that asked “Are you first-generation”?</p>
<p>The typical definition of a first-generation student is someone that does not have a family member that earned a 4-year degree. Some say that if you have a parent with any college experience then you are not a first-generation student, however this definition of the term is not widely used. Based on your parents & grandparents college experiences you fall into a grey-area. Some people consider you a first-generation student, while others do not. I would speak with the universities you are interested in attending and get their definition of first-generation, and see if you fit their qualifications. You may end up qualifying for certain scholarships, so it is worth checking!</p>