Are you the first in your family to pursue a graduate degree? You’re not alone. Studies show that more than half of all college students are considered “first-generation,” meaning their parents don’t hold bachelor’s degrees.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, being the first in your family to attend college can pose unique challenges. It found that first-generation college graduates aren’t on equal footing with peers who have college-educated parents, and they tend to be older than their peers. They’re also more likely to come from families earning half the income of non-first-generation families, and many decrease their odds of obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s by attending two-year colleges.
As a first-generation student, some of these statistics likely ring true. On top of these hurdles, you’re navigating the admissions process, financial aid, postsecondary coursework, and more – without having a set path before you.
Stressed out yet? Don’t worry — we’re here to help close the gap. If you’re looking for a head start on your journey, we’ve rounded up the best resources for first-generation students to help you succeed in school and beyond.
Am I a First-Generation Master’s Student?
It can be tricky to know whether or not you’re a first-generation student, because there are a few different ways to define the term. Additionally, some universities and specific scholarships differ in their approach to who qualifies as a first-gen student.
However, some common factors categorize first-generation graduate students. Read the Q&A below and see which characteristics apply to you.
- Did your parents graduate from college? If not, you’re considered a first-generation student. This is the most common definition for first-gen students.
- Did your parents attend some college but never graduate? If yes, you’re considered a first-generation student. As long as neither of your parents has a college degree, you’re still considered a first-generation student, even if they earned a partial education.
- Do you have a sibling who has attended college, but your parents did not? If yes, you’re still considered a first-generation student. Being a first-gen student means that your parents did not complete a four-year college or university degree, regardless of other family members’ level of education. However, having a sibling who has earned a degree can be a great resource for you as you navigate your schooling.
- Did your grandparents, stepparent, or other close relatives attend college, but your parents did not? If yes, you are considered a first-generation student.
- Final note: If you graduated with a bachelor’s degree and were considered a first-generation student, you’re still considered a first-generation student in graduate school.
Key Support Areas for First-Generation Grad Students
We’ve rounded up a wide list of support areas for first-generation grad students, which includes financial, basic needs, healthcare, campus work, academic success resources, and more.
This list may not apply to every student. But given the stats that many first-gen students lack access to the same resources as their peers and that they have lower graduation rates, these considerations can aid in first-gen student success.
Financial – Scholarships, Loans, and Grants
Financial aid is often the prime concern of any student, let alone a first-generation graduate student. When starting the scholarship search process, get familiar with websites such as Niche and BigFuture to see which awards you may be eligible for. The Department of Education also provides helpful financial aid tips for first-time college students and guides to financial aid. Next, you’ll want to go through your specific school and see which scholarship programs are offered for first-gen, master’s-seeking students.
Lastly, grants play a big part in a graduate student’s financial aid package. Grants are similar to scholarships because you don’t have to pay them back — unless you withdraw from school or fail to maintain eligibility. While scholarships are often merit-based, grants are given based on need and can relate to your prospective academic and career field. Our overview of grad school grants and how to apply direct you toward even more options to pursue.
Basic Needs – Housing & Food
Having a plan for how you’ll meet your basic needs, such as housing, food, bills, etc., is another crucial aspect of your graduate education. While many scholarships and grants cover academic costs including tuition and books, some won’t cover your monthly cost-of-living expenditures. Because you likely won’t be able to work full time while in graduate school, you’ll want to be sure you have a good understanding of the cost of your monthly bills and spending and have a plan to cover those expenses. Need a little extra help? Check out these tips on budgeting and ways to spend less while you’re in grad school.
Healthcare – Access to Student Health and Mental Health Services
As a graduate student, you will have access to your school’s healthcare plan or be required to buy your own health insurance. You’ll want to make sure you understand what health benefits you have access to as a graduate student and ensure that you’re equipped with adequate student health and mental health services. You also may have the option to enroll in a Health Insurance Marketplace plan. Either way, it’s critical to have coverage for your day-to-day healthcare needs as well as for the more serious health complications you may face. When it comes to mental health, if you already have a diagnosis learn more about succeeding in graduate school with mental illness.
Campus Work–Study Opportunities
Many graduate students find jobs on campus to help fund their education. You can usually find a wide variety of available jobs, including research and teaching assistantships. This hands-on experience can be crucial for your academic and professional career, no matter the field you decide to pursue.
Graduate assistantships are typically offered by professors, academic departments, and other campus offices. The benefits can include tuition and/or fee waivers, and the work is typically less than 20 hours per week. Graduate research assistants work on academic research projects under the guidance of a professor. Graduate teaching assistants help teach graduate and undergraduate courses at the university.
Check out this overview of eight ways to pay for your master’s for other ideas to make graduate school affordable.
Academic Success Resources
Your academic success is, of course, one of the most critical measures of your overall progress while in graduate school. From preparing yourself for entrance exams such as the GRE and the GMAT to navigating research and dissertations, you can find a wide range of academic resources to help your educational journey at every step along the way. See below to learn about more resources that we recommend for first-generation students.
8 Steps to First-Gen Master’s Success
Like any endeavor, preparation is the key to success. As you get ready to embark on your graduate degree, certain tasks can help you get started on the right foot. These eight tips can help first-generation students take advantage of the tools and resources available to them and have a higher degree of success in their master’s program.
Get Your Family Involved
Your parents or family members may not have attended college, but they can help encourage and support you in your success. Having a wide support network gives you the confidence to successfully take on your education.
Create Community Among Your Peers
Building a strong community among your fellow graduate students is essential to your success. Research shows that the more engaged a student stays while in school, the more likely they are to be successful.
Some examples of peer resources include a study group or a campus organization. It can also be helpful to find other first-generation students in your program who may be experiencing some of the same situations and questions as you.
Building a community will help you weather the ups and downs of your graduate school experience.
Apply for Financial Support and Scholarships
While financial support and scholarships are much more easily found at the undergraduate level, a wealth of opportunities still are available for first-generation graduate students. You just need to know where to look.
Financial aid packages range from small one-off gifts to funding your entire tuition. Be sure to look for scholarships that focus on students of underrepresented groups. Earning financial support will help ease the burden of school so that you can focus on your studies. If you’re new to the FAFSA, read up on the biggest FAFSA mistakes and how to avoid them.
Connect to Supportive Resources on Campus or Through Your School
Many schools have resources to support first-generation students on campus. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln First Generation Nebraska is just one example of how a university can support students through resources, events, community, and more. The University of North Carolina also has a similar program called Carolina Grad Student F1RSTS that helps support first-generation graduate students on campus.
Become Your Own Advocate
When it comes to pursuing your graduate degree, expect that you’ll feel some uncertainty and that you’ll have many questions about the process. Don’t be afraid to ask those questions or ask for help navigating the system.
As a graduate student, you’re taking steps that show your commitment to a greater understanding and mastery of your field. And you should be treated as such. Learning how to be assertive about what you need and deserve is a skill that will be useful for the rest of your career.
Find a Mentor
You might not have the same background as someone else, but that doesn’t mean your experience means less. Our uniqueness is what allows us to learn from each other. Remember, your perspective as a first-generation master’s student makes you uniquely qualified to help others in similar situations or to seek information from those with a different background.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
The greatest amount of growth and learning happens outside of your comfort zone. While you will learn an immense amount in school, you will also grow and learn outside of the classroom. Make it a goal to experience new opportunities and learn new things to grow your perspective.
Bring Your Unique Perspective to the Table
You might not have the same background as someone else, but that doesn’t mean that your experience is less than anyone else’s. Our uniqueness is what allows us to learn from each other. Remember, your perspective as a first-generation master’s student makes you uniquely qualified to help others in similar situations or to seek information from those with a different background.
Resources for First Generation Master’s Students
From podcasts, Facebook groups, books, and more, you can find abundant resources to help you navigate your graduate studies. The resources below can be handy as you look to find more information, whether you are studying for an MBA, a master’s degree in science, or anything in between.
- Admissions Straight Talk Podcast
Admissions Straight Talk is a weekly discussion of what’s new, thought-provoking, and useful in the world of graduate admissions. Whether you want to learn about funding or career opportunities, you can find an episode for your interests. - America Needs You (ANY)
In this book, contributors share their experiences of navigating unequal education systems to become the first in their families to finish college and eventually go to graduate school. - BLK + in Grad School
BLK + In Grad School is a podcast and community that shares stories and resources to help women and people of color succeed in graduate school. The podcast is hosted by Allanté, a PhD student at Carnegie Mellon University. - Collective Success Network
No student should have to get through college alone — that’s the motivation behind the Collective Success Network. The network has on-campus chapters at Philadelphia-area schools including Drexel, Villanova, Temple, and Penn; a consortium chapter for students in surrounding areas; a professional mentorship program for college juniors and seniors who plan to continue to graduate school; and links to dozens of resources especially for first-gen students. - Comprehensive Networking Guide, Willamette University
What does it mean to build, organize, and maintain your professional network? This guide from Willamette University shares what essential information you should know about networking in school and beyond. - Decoding the Academy: A Roadmap for First-generation College Students Through Graduate Education
These first-person accounts from master’s and PhD students highlight how schools can better prepare for and serve first-generation students. The roadmap includes a literature review, common themes among students, recommendations for change, and more. - Empowering First Generation College Students Facebook Group
Facebook groups are a great way to connect with peers and other students from similar backgrounds. Empowering First-Generation College Students has more than 7,000 members in its community. - First-Gen Lounge Podcast
The First-Gen Lounge podcast covers overcoming adversity, personal growth, mental health, empowerment and inspiration, and more. The podcast also has a global community that you can join called The Kick It Crew. - The Hope Blog
Keep up with thought leaders on research, policy, and practice that will drive change for first-generation college students. Learn more about Hope Impact Partnerships, in which schools partner with The Hope Center to gather data and analyze student needs, campus policies, and more. - “I Have a Dream” Foundation
Get involved with the “I Have a Dream” Foundation and share your college success story with future students. Volunteer as a tutor, mentor, or intern and set an example for children who want to pursue a path to college. - I’m First!
I’m First! is a community supporting first-gen students. The organization provides students who lack a family history of higher education with inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college. - Know That You Are Worthy: Experiences from First-Generation College Students
In this book, 31 alumni share their experiences of navigating unequal education systems and offer powerful words of encouragement. - National First Generation and Low-Income in Medicine Association (FGLIMed)
FGLIMed focuses on first-generation college graduates and low-income premed students, medical students, physicians, and more. The organization’s goal is to bring unique perspectives into medicine and to support medical professionals who reflect the populations they serve. - National Leadership Society of First Generation College Students
This organization provides first-generation students and alumni with support, leadership opportunities, and a sense of community. Join through your university if it has a chapter or join through the website. - NetWerk Movement
NetWerk is an inclusive community and online platform focused on elevating and empowering women, offering programs, and resources that can help you “overcome being underpaid and underemployed.” - The PhD Project
If you’re pursuing your master’s now, then it’ll soon be decision time on whether to keep going for a PhD. The PhD Project works to build a stronger, more diverse workforce. Tap into a network of support and professional development, including the annual conference in Chicago on March 20-21, 2025. Apply by November 30, 2024; if you’re selected to attend, The PhD Project will pay your travel and hotel expenses. - Rise First
Rise First offers more than 1,200 curated resources to enable first-generation, low-income student success. Search programs, scholarships, and tools by life stage, topic, location, and more. - 70 Tips for First-Gen Students
Available for Kindle Scribe, this “small but mighty” book is packed with valuable advice. - TED Tech: Advice for Leaders on Creating a Culture of Belonging
Google’s chief diversity officer shares insights on how to “add in” instead of “fit in.” First-generation students will carry these lessons through graduate school and into the workplace. - UStrive
First-generation college students struggle with figuring out applications, financial aid, and college life. UStrive matches students with virtual mentors who help them navigate, land internships, prepare for careers, and graduate. Over a million students have opted in for this free service.
Scholarships for First-Gen Master’s Students
No matter your specific background, you’re likely to find many scholarships that you’re eligible to apply for. We’ve rounded up some great options for first-generation students. These include scholarships for law students, STEM, and many more options. Be sure to also check the financial aid office of your specific school to find other scholarship opportunities through your program.
Asbestos.com Scholarship
- Award amount: $2,000 to $3,000
- Who can apply: Any full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Applicants write an essay to raise awareness about mesothelioma and related topics.
Association of Women in International Trade
- Award amount: $3,000
- Who can apply: Any female studying international trade, including trade policy and negotiations, global business and supply chains, economic development, women’s economic empowerment, and more. Applicants must be college juniors or seniors or enrolled in graduate studies.
Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship
- Award amount: $500
- Who can apply: Any first-generation student in college or graduate school who is interested in law and/or healthcare.
Earl Pascua Filipino-American Heritage Scholarship
- Award amount: $500
- Who can apply: Any first-generation student in college or graduate school who is interested in law and/or healthcare.
First Generation Matching Grant Program
- Award amount: Varies
- Who can apply: Degree-seeking, Florida resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need and are enrolled in eligible participating postsecondary institutions.
Generation Google Scholarship
- Award amount: $10,000
- Who can apply: Students who intend to enroll or are accepted in a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program and are studying computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field.
Kopfler & Hermann Overcoming Adversity Scholarship
- Award amount: $1,000
- Who can apply: Any student who has overcome adversity. Open to current undergraduate and graduate students and students with a GED who are set to attend college.
McNair Scholars Program
- Award amount: Varies
- Who can apply: First-generation students enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln expressing financial need or who are members of a group underrepresented in graduate education.
Law Office of Jae Lee Immigrant Student Scholarship
- Award amount: $1,000
- Who can apply: First-generation students enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln expressing financial need or who are members of a group underrepresented in graduate education.
Paw Prosper Student of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship
- Award amount: Varies
- Who can apply: All current undergraduate and graduate students studying veterinary medicine or a related field. Applicants write an essay about a defining moment that steered them toward a career in veterinary medicine.
Interview with a First-Generation Graduate Student
To provide some perspective on the challenges and opportunities of being a first-generation graduate student, we spoke with Bishal Dasgupta. He is a digital transformation consultant currently pursuing his MBA with interest in sustainable business practices. During his career, Dasgupta has facilitated transformation projects for Fortune 500 clients.
Q. What would you want to know about the first-generation grad student experience?
A. It’s challenging yet rewarding. It’s ambiguous yet fulfilling. The experience is unique and helped me know myself better. I know this sounds cliché, but my grad student experience is as much about learning about myself and understanding how I operate as it is about learning new business concepts in school.
Q. What would be good for first-gen students to know that could support them in their journey?
A. I would encourage first-gen students to take that first step and aim at challenging their own doubt. It’s those initial, critical moments during a pivot that matter the most.
One of my big hurdles was to be financially able to cover the cost. There are various kinds of funding opportunities that are more available today than a few years back, like a collateral-free, cosigner-less education loan — and you should be educated on it to better prepare financially.
Q. What has been the biggest challenge for you during your studies?
A. Irrespective of my stellar career achievements, initially I found myself in self-doubt. When I dived deep, with the help of self-awareness and validations from mentors and seniors, I was able to realize that it was the ambiguity and the uncertainty of the future that was the root cause of my doubt.
Identifying the problem and finding the root causes are important. Only when you have identified this can you work towards a resolution.
Q. What has been the biggest help and/or greatest resource for you?
A. People — the right people. I am not sure if there is a secret sauce to this. I was fortunate to meet people I could be comfortable speaking with. One must proactively develop relationships while not being completely dependent on others. I think the balance comes with practice.
Also, pick up every win on the way and look back at them to be confident and not complacent.
A physical success board helps me feel motivated and gain momentum on days when the energy dips, showing me my capability to make progress.
Q. How can universities better help support their first-generation students?
A. They should openly speak about, accept, and provide resources for the problems students face. At the Katz Graduate School of Business, this was a part of the orientation agenda. It was verbalized that there will be times when students may feel the going is getting tougher. When something like that happened, we learned how we could reach out for help and speak to people around us. Universities can also help by walking the talk and instituting a culture of community and togetherness.