First Generation Students at UMF
Madison Paquette
Contributing Writer
Being a first-generation college student can be exciting, but equally as scary. Many students here at UMF are first-generation college students and it can be a proud feeling for their families. For myself, on my dad’s side, I am a first-generation college student. I know that my dad and his side of the family were all really proud of me for being the first Paquette to be a college student. As for many other people who are actually first-generation college students, it can be thrilling for their parents. But, it can also come with its downfalls.
Lauren Kenney, who is a first-generation college student here at the UMF, spoke about being a first-generation student and what it means, as well as how her parents felt:
“They were proud that I got in, but with both my parents being Veterans of the Navy—they really wanted me to go into the service so they have their own thoughts about my enrollment at UMF.”
Getting into college can be scary enough, but for a first-generation college student, it could get overwhelming. How do you know what school to pick? How are you going to fill out the paperwork when no one in your family has a background in college? All of these questions fly through your head when picking through colleges.
When Kenney was originally picking a school, she was a little overwhelmed: “Because I wasn’t a star student in High school, I was shocked I even got in anywhere. There are so many options. How will I pay for this? What even is a scholarship?” Kenney stated.
This leads to the question of how first-generation college students receive help financially. Do they really understand the whole concept of filling out paperwork? During high school, many students aren’t taught how to be an actual adult and the correct ways to fill things out. For example, no one teaches us how to fill out FAFSA forms or how to sign up for student aid or scholarships. So, bringing all those papers home and handing them to your mom or dad who didn’t attend college can be a lot to look at. Being thrown into the “Adult World” can be difficult and it’s not talked about enough.
When speaking to Kenney about the financial aspects of filling out the paperwork, she said: “A lot of the jargon they use in forms, and paperwork was difficult for me to understand, and my parents didn’t understand it so I and the financial aid office became really really close my first year.”
The next chapter of your life can be a bit challenging, especially for a first-generation college student. Coming to a big new school with no background knowledge or someone to lean on who has that background knowledge of college can be difficult, but also a blessing in disguise. When speaking upon benefits and downfalls Kenney had much to say:
“I get to mold my own story of college. A lot of the time I meet people who are in college, that aren’t first generation students and they always seem to follow in the footsteps of their parents. For me, I don't have that so this is all on me to create my own path,” said Kenney. “What I said before can also sometimes be a downfall because I don't have anyone except advisors to go to when I need help. Whether that be for money, or for academic advice. I don’t have anyone that isn't currently enrolled in college or works for the college I go to that I can ask for help.”
Bringing money into the whole ordeal of college can make it a difficult situation for anyone. Especially if you are a first-gen student. Not having the resources of guardians with a background in how to pay for college can be a burden.
When asking Kenney if financials were a burden, she said: “I’m paying all on my own. My parents aren’t helping me pay my way through college, so I have to navigate loans and such on my own.”
Not knowing how to pay for college can become a barrier for some students. This goes for many students. Not knowing how to apply for a loan or learning how to pay a loan off can be frustrating. When applying, they’ll look at your parent’s financial standpoint and see if you are even capable of taking out a loan. But, this can come with a great cost for students. If the student’s parents or guardians aren’t helping them pay for college, then what’s the actual point of looking at their parent’s standpoint to see if they’re eligible for a loan or scholarship in the first place?
“Some of us don’t even know how to do scholarships. I personally don't know how to do that! I haven’t talked to anyone or received help when trying to learn how to live with student loans, and sometimes the topic of paying/loans comes up, and people assume my parents are helping me through this when the truth is I’m the one doing it all,” Kenney said.
Kenney brought up the fact that “There is a community of us [first-generation college students] here. You matter just as much as the next person and your fears and concerns are valid. You’re not holding your entire family together because you’re the first generation. Be proud, stand tall, and know that there are other first-generation students going through this all as well.”
