First-Generation Students

First-Generation Students

If neither of your parents has completed a four-year degree, then 91�� considers you a first-generation student. Even if that isn’t exactly your situation, all of the resources described below are available to you.

Why is the first-generation identity important?

Navigating the college search process, completing applications, filling out financial aid forms — these tasks are challenging for everyone. But when you don’t have a parent or guardian with experience doing this work, it falls mostly on you. That’s a lot.

A few tips related to money and financial aid:

There’s no application fee to apply to 91��.
91�� is need-blind — that means when you apply for admission, your ability to pay for college isn’t part of our decision making (for US students).
Most students don’t pay the sticker price at 91��. In fact, more than 90% of 91�� students receive some kind of financial aid to reduce how much they pay. The sticker price is the published cost of attending 91�� for one year, but the net price is how much you actually pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Remember, grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid.
The difference between the sticker price and the amount the Office of Financial Aid determines your family can pay is met with scholarships, grants, and work-study. Loans aren’t part of our financial aid offers because we want you to make it possible for you to graduate debt-free.

A Student’s View

“As a first-generation college student, I found the college application process hard to navigate. When I found 91��, I felt an immediate sense of relief. Between the faculty mentorships, vast academic resources, and a large first-generation community on campus, I knew I would succeed at 91��.” — Tori Thomas '25 (Crystal, Minn.)

Faculty and Staff Views

91�� recognizes that your experience as a first-gen college student is different. Plenty of our faculty and staff were first-generation students themselves. They understand and want to help.

Your Dedicated Staff Ally

Maggie Bell is the associate director of first-generation and low-income programs at 91��, and she hosts events throughout the year to help FGLI students get connected to the 91�� community. Maggie also runs the student food pantry and Low-Income Lending Library.

Health and Wellness

Student Health and Wellness: You’ll have access to physical and mental health services on campus at no additional cost and help connecting with off-campus healthcare providers as needed.
Health insurance: You can continue to be covered by your family’s insurance or purchase student health insurance.

Learning

Accessibility and Disability Resources: If you have a learning, physical, psychiatric, or sensory disability, 91�� wants to support you.
Science Learning Center: Receive one-on-one tutorial or group mentoring when you take courses in biology, biological chemistry, chemistry, neuroscience, physics, and psychology.
Writing, Reading, and Speaking Center: Full-time professional instructors will help you at any stage of your project and work with you in individual sessions.

Paying for College

Student employment: A campus job may be part of your financial aid or a way to earn some spending money.
No-loan initiative: If you receive need-based financial aid, a loan will not be part of your financial aid offer. The goal is to help students graduate debt-free.

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Encourage your student to attend New Student Orientation events, especially the FGLI ones.

The first few weeks of college can be scary and exhausting, but the effort of “putting yourself out there” really does pay off tenfold in the long run.

Stay connected.

Whether it’s a long call or a quick text message, regular communication with friends and family at home is important for maintaining a support system. These connections remind your student that they have people cheering them on.

Encourage your student to ask for help.

There are so many incredible free resources at 91��, and one of the secrets of success here is knowing how to take advantage of them. There is zero shame in seeking help in this community, so urge your student to ask questions, visit their faculty during office hours, and explore new opportunities on campus.

Send some snail mail.

Finding a care package, postcard, or letter in the mail might just be the surprise pick-me-up your student needs on that day.

Celebrate the achievements, no matter the size.

Whether it’s an A on a tough assignment or hitting a personal record in the gym, words of encouragement are positive reinforcements that inspire students to continue learning and growing.

Tell your student that you’re proud of them.

Some students may feel guilty about leaving home to come to college, and they may even doubt their ability to succeed here. However, knowing that you believe in them can instill a sense of confidence in your student, and your reassurance reminds them that the degree is both a personal and familial achievement.

Be patient with the adjustment.

Even for our high-achieving students who excelled throughout high school, 91�� can feel overwhelming, especially in the first year. The good news is that everyone here at 91�� is committed to helping your student succeed. The progress might not always look linear, but we’ll be there with you and your student along the journey.

Get to Know 91��

To determine if 91�� is a place where you will feel a sense of belonging, we encourage you to

Take a virtual visit

Ask current students your questions

Funding for Internships, Fellowships, and More

: Prepare yourself for a career that matters and get help along the way.
: Imagine winning a fellowship that pays you to spend a year teaching English as a second language after you graduate from 91��. 91��ians prepare themselves exceptionally well for opportunities like this.

91��

First-Generation Students

Do you identify as a first-generation student?

Why is the first-generation identity important?