Blog
Find advice and follow the college experiences of our current first-gen student bloggers.
Understanding Financial Aid Packages
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. After you've been accepted to a college and completed the financial aid application process, that college will send you a financial aid package. So if you are accepted to...
The Basics of Applying to College
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Required Documents If you are applying to a four-year college, it most likely will require your college admission test scores on either the SAT or ACT. These tests are...
How to Write a Killer College Application Essay
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Choosing an Essay Topic Most college applications will provide a question for you to answer in your essay. Some examples include: "Describe Yourself," "Explain Why You Want...
How to Stand Out in Your College Application
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. How Colleges Select Students First, let's cover the basics of how colleges typically choose students. Colleges use a number of factors to determine which applicants to...
College Application Fee Waivers
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. Who Is Eligible for the Application Waivers? Students can request a college application fee waiver form from the National Association for College Admission Counseling...
Financial Aid Terminology
This article was originally written for FirstGenerationStudent.com, now a part of ImFirst.org. 1040/1040A/1040EZ Also known as a tax return, these are federal forms from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that taxpayers fill out every year and file with the IRS as a...
How early is too early?
It may be too early for you to start driving if you’re only 11; it may be too early for you to read 'War and Peace' if you’re still in the 2nd grade; and it may be early for you to pick out your retirement home if you’re still in high school; but when it comes to...
Fall Semester? It came and went!
Yes! I made it through my first semester of college virtually in one piece! I unknowingly enrolled in remarkable courses; met some wonderful people; learned plenty academically, about others, and about me; endured the dining hall meal plan; and even survived final...
Power of Networking
So this past year I had the privilege of studying in Washington, D.C. through a program run by my school (Miami University). The program allowed me to immerse myself in DC culture through meetings with prominent elected officials, lobbyists, media personalities etc....
Dare to Dream
This time two years ago, I found myself dreaming big and researching a variety of big names schools to apply to. Being a first generation college student, I wish I had advice and tips for applying to colleges. My first piece of advice I would give you is to dare to...