What Is a First-Generation College Student?

What is a first-generation college student? If you’re the first person in your family to graduate from college, then you’re a first-gen student. Learn how GCU supports first-gen students.

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Read time 5 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published On Jul 30, 2025

A first-generation (first-gen) college student is commonly defined as someone who is the first person in their family to graduate from a college or university with a bachelor’s degree. This is the widely accepted definition,¹ and it's the one used by Grand Canyon University. By this definition, a first-gen student may have parents who took some college classes but did not complete a degree.

What is a first-generation college student to other entities? Some organizations and schools define a first-gen student as a college student who has parents who never attended college at all.²

If you’re a first-gen student or planning to be, you’re in great company. More than half (54%) of all undergraduate students in the U.S. are first-gen students.³ At GCU, we warmly welcome our first-gen students and provide an array of student services to support your progress toward your goals.

What Is a First-Gen College Student: Significance and Meaning

If you’re planning on becoming the first person in your family to earn a bachelor’s degree, then you probably already know that the experience can be both exhilarating and personally meaningful. First-gen students are taking action to work toward the career and the life they want.

What does being a first-generation college student mean for you? Every student has a different experience with it, but you might feel that you bring determination and resilience to the college environment. Students who are facing challenges and working to overcome them may gain a sense of personal pride in their accomplishments.

At GCU, we have numerous current first-gen students and alumni who take pride in their journey toward being the first in their family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Among them is Steven Valero, who was the first in his family to not only earn a bachelor's but also a PhD. After earning his bachelor’s degree in psychology, Dr. Valero became a life coach and started his own business, helping software engineers transform the company culture of their workplaces. Dr. Valero hopes that his experience can encourage other first-gen students to feel empowered to graduate.

“I’m a first-generation graduate from college (and) now to my PhD and so I wanted to show people that there is a path they can take. I didn’t have it all figured out. But instead, I just followed what I was excited and passionate about, took the next step — and here I am today.”

— Dr. Steven Valero, GCU Alumni

Dr. Valero also noted that he really enjoyed the personalized attention he experienced as a GCU student. “…every time I took a class, at the end of the class, I would have someone there that would talk to me and make sure I was on the right path.” He appreciates the hard work it took to complete the dissertation, noting that it gave him the confidence necessary to achieve his post-graduation dreams.

Common Challenges First-Gen College Students Face

Being a first-generation college student can be meaningful and rewarding, but it’s also a journey that’s filled with challenges unique to first-gen students.

When you’re the first one in your family to be on track to completing a degree, you might struggle with the following:

Lack of Familiarity About the Postsecondary Academic Journey

Students who have parents who earned a degree have access to first-hand accounts of the college experience, and they can receive the guidance they need from their families. Yet, first-gen college students lack this critical resource, and they may sometimes feel overwhelmed by the college experience.

How do I choose my courses each semester?
Does my course load keep me on track to graduation?
How can I find internships or campus jobs?
What if I need extra academic help?

These are all questions that first-gen students might struggle with. The lack of familiarity about the college experience and academic expectations might lead some first-gen students to feel isolated and unsure of which solution for any given issue is best for them.

How GCU Helps Students Navigate College

GCU seeks to provide an accessible and easily navigable college experience for all our students, especially our first-gen students. It can begin with a guided tour for prospective students, during which you can explore academic programs, campus facilities and see a variety of campus events.

GCU also offers regularly scheduled information sessions for prospective students and their parents. As a student, you’ll have access to your academic advisor throughout your college journey. Your advisor will help you with everything from balancing your course load to identifying sources of extra academic help.

Figuring Out Financial Aid

What are a first-gen college student’s other challenges? Among them is figuring out financial aid options. Students whose parents never navigated the financial aid system themselves might struggle to figure out what they’re supposed to do and how they can get help. As a result, they might be unsure of whether they can afford higher education.

How GCU Helps Make College Affordable and Accessible

If you’ve been accepted to GCU, you can rely on our financial aid representatives to help you figure out your options. We strongly encourage all students to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. The FAFSA will determine your eligibility for federal grants and loans.

GCU is also pleased to offer a number of scholarships that can help make your education more affordable.

Achieving Degree Completion

Application and acceptance into college are just the first steps to a college degree. It isn’t enough to start your degree program; you have to finish it, too, to reap the potential benefits of higher education.

How GCU Helps Students Complete Their Degree

GCU works to support our students as they work toward degree completion. Here, you’ll benefit from a full range of resources and student support services, including the Academic Centers for Excellence (ACE), which provide one-on-one and small group tutoring services. You can also check out the services available in our specialized academic support centers, such as the Science Center, Theology Commons, Writing Center and English Language Learner’s Center. Career Services at GCU is another helpful resource that provides students with resources, professional knowledge and support to help them transition from academics into a career.

How First-Generation College Students Can Make the Most of the College Experience

As the first in your family to be on track toward graduating from college, you’ll undoubtedly want to make the most of the experience.

Consider the following tips:

Develop a strong working relationship with your academic advisor, and don’t hesitate to ask your advisor for clarification when you’re unsure about something.
Similarly, strive to cultivate relationships with your instructors. Visit office hours when you need extra help or would like to explore a topic further.
Speak up in class. Instructors invite academic discussion, and your perspective will enrich the class environment.
Know when to seek extra help, and don't hesitate to seek tutoring services.

Find Your Purpose and Pursue Your Dreams at GCU

We strive to empower students to follow their passion and find their purpose. Here, you could become the first in your family to complete your degree thanks to our extensive student support resources — from helpful faculty members to tutoring services and scholarships. Explore our vast range of bachelor's degree programs in career fields ranging from engineering and technology to nursing and healthcare.

Get started today by filling out the form on this page. You'll be connected to a university counselor who can help you start planning your future at GCU.

Achieve Your College Dreams

GCU empowers first-generation students to pursue their passion and earn a degree. Apply online today.

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