First-Gen College Transition

First-Generation (First-Gen) college students are defined as any student whose parents or legal guardians have not earned a 4-year college degree. If you are a first-gen student you might feel alone, but 25.7% of University of Minnesota Twin Cities undergraduates are first-gen. Additionally, many faculty and staff on campus also identify as first-gen and can understand how you may be feeling as a student.

A few aspects of college that many students can find challenging include:

  • understanding administration and structure
  • navigating processes (like class registration and financial aid)
  • making new friends
  • finding support and resources
A large group of students posing with Goldie the gopher