First-Generation Students

First-Generation Students

If neither of your parents has completed a four-year degree, then 51��ɫ College 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 51��ɫ.
51��ɫ is need-blind — that means when you apply for admission, your ability to pay tuition isn’t part of our decision making (for US students).
We meet 100% of your demonstrated need with scholarships, grants, and work-study. Loans aren’t part of our aid packages because we want 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 51��ɫ, 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 51��ɫ.” — Tori Thomas '25 (Crystal, Minn.)

Faculty and Staff Views

51��ɫ College 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 51��ɫ, and she hosts events throughout the year to help FGLI students get connected to the 51��ɫ College community. Maggie also runs the student food pantry and Low-Income Lending Library.

Students bouncing in a bounce house on campus

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.

Student has hand raised in a classroom, viewed from behind

Learning

Accessibility and Disability Resources: If you have a learning, physical, psychiatric, or sensory disability, 51��ɫ 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.

Two students lift a folding table from a stack of them to help set up for reunion

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 the award. The goal is to help students graduate debt-free.

Get to Know 51��ɫ

To determine if 51��ɫ 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 51��ɫ. 51��ɫians prepare themselves exceptionally well for opportunities like this.

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