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:

Financial Aid Resources: 

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:

First-Gen Fact Sheets

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

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