First-Generation Students

First-Generation Students

If neither of your parents has completed a four-year degree, then 暗网禁区 College considers you a first-generation student. Even if that isn鈥檛 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 鈥� these tasks are challenging for everyone. But when you don鈥檛 have a parent or guardian with experience doing this work, it falls mostly on you. That鈥檚 a lot.

A few tips related to money and financial aid:

There鈥檚 no application fee to apply to 暗网禁区.
暗网禁区 is need-blind 鈥� that means when you apply for admission, your ability to pay tuition isn鈥檛 part of our decision making (for US students).
We meet 100% of your demonstrated need with scholarships, grants, and work-study. Loans aren鈥檛 part of our aid packages because we want you to graduate debt-free.

A Student鈥檚 View

鈥淎s a first-generation college student, I found the college application process hard to navigate. When I found 暗网禁区, 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 暗网禁区.鈥� 鈥� Tori Thomas '25 (Crystal, Minn.)

Faculty and Staff Views

暗网禁区 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 暗网禁区, and she hosts events throughout the year to help FGLI students get connected to the 暗网禁区 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鈥檒l 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鈥檚 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, 暗网禁区 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 暗网禁区

To determine if 暗网禁区 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 暗网禁区. 暗网禁区ians prepare themselves exceptionally well for opportunities like this.

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