First-Gen College Survival Guide
Your school counselor has hundreds of students. This guide fills the gaps.
56%
of US undergraduates were first-gen in 2015–16 — neither parent had a bachelor’s degree (NCES, NPSAS:16)
372:1
students per school counselor nationally, K–12, in 2024–25 (ASCA)
$4.4B
in Pell Grants left unclaimed by the high school class of 2024 (NCAN estimate)
What's Inside the Guide
FAFSA Walkthrough
Step-by-step instructions for completing the FAFSA, even if no one in your family has done it before.
Application Timeline
Month-by-month calendar so you never miss a deadline — from junior year through enrollment.
What to Expect on Campus
The unwritten rules nobody tells you: office hours, syllabi, financial aid renewals, and how to ask for help.
First-Gen Scholarship Sources
Scholarships specifically for first-generation college students, and how to find them.
Download the First-Gen College Survival Guide
A complete roadmap for students and families navigating college for the first time. Free, no strings attached.