Resources for First-Generation Students
In Florida, twenty-seven percent of college students are considered first-generation, according to a national postsecondary survey by the National Center for Education Statistics.
Who is considered first-gen? First-gen students can be defined as being the first in their family to attend college, students whose parents did not graduate from a two- or four-year college in the United States, or whose parents completed their degrees as nontraditional students over the age of 25.
By sharing first-gen stories, FCAN aims to foster a sense of community, provide inspiration, and connect first-gen students with the resources they need to succeed. This effort aims to elevate the experiences of these trailblazers and share tailored resources by leveraging the national #FirstGen and I’m First initiative.
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Share your first-gen story!
FCAN invites professionals or current students to send in their stories to continue the conversation.
Spread the word! We’ve prepared a social media toolkit with information about Florida’s first-gen students.
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In Florida, first-generation students represent a diverse group:
- 68% of first-generation students are female compared to 54% of continuous-generation students.
- 41% of first-generation students are Hispanic or Latino, 28% are Black, 24% are white, 3% Asian, and 3% multiracial.
- 58% of first-generation students enter programs of study in high-demand fields such as healthcare, engineering, biophysics, computer sciences and business.
- 41% of first-generation students are of working age (between the ages of 26-64 years old) compared to 29% of continuous-generation students.
- 68% of first-generation students are the first sibling in their family to go to college.
- 55% of first-generation students receive federal financial aid for postsecondary education (which included Pell grants) compared to continuous-generation students.
*Source: US Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics
To learn more, access the following resources for first-generation college students.
Florida Universities with First-Gen Resources:
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida International University
- Florida State University
- University of Central Florida
- University of Florida
- University of South Florida
- University of West Florida
Financial Aid Resources:
- First Generation Matching Grant Program
- Federal Student Aid
- University of North Florida Scholarships
- Florida Polytechnic University
- Florida International University: First Generation Scholarship, Golden Scholars Program and Invitational Scholars Program
Fee Waiver Resources for Eligible Students
Students may be eligible to receive fee waivers for college applications or SAT/ACT testing. To learn more, students should speak to their high school counselor and visit the following resources:
- ACT Fee Waiver Program
- SAT Fee Waiver Information
- College Board College Application Fee Waiver FAQ
- National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Fee Waiver Information
First-Gen Fact Sheets
Initiatives
Get Involved!
- Register as a College Ready Florida host site
- Download the Introduction to College Ready Florida guide
- Questions? Contact Adriana Pavicic, FCAN's Communications and Initiatives Manager