What is a First-Generation Student?
How do I know if I'm a first-generation student?
Did either of my parents graduate from a 4-year university?
- If not, then you are a first-generation student
What if my parents started college but never finished?
- You are a first-generation student
What if I have an older sibling that is in college/graduated from college?
- If your parents did not graduate from a 4-year college or university, then you're still a first-generation student!
First-Generation Data from Montana State University
In partnership with University Data and Analytics, the First-Generation committee has created a dashboard where you can see institutional data surrounding First-Generation students.
What is the National First-Generation College Student Celebration?
In November 2017, the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) partnerered with the Center for First-Generation Student Success, which is an initiative of NASPA and the Suder Foundation, to launch the inaugural First-Generation College Student Celebration.
The now annual event, which is held each year on November 8 to commemorate the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, encourages colleges and universities across the country to celebrate the successes of the institution's first-generation faculty, staff, and students.
Montana State University's First-Generation recognition is a collaboration between GEAR UP MSU, the Office of Student Engagement, and TRIO Student Support Services.