As a first-generation student, you may have no idea what you’re getting into when applying for scholarships, financial aid, or even college itself—you have to figure out how the whole higher education system works. What could make things even more complicated? Applying to out-of-state colleges. Maybe you just want to get away from home or you have your sights set on a prestigious college. You may encounter more challenges by attending college out of state (like inflated tuition prices), but it is possible with the right knowledge and support system—a lot of different students do it! Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying to out-of-state schools as a first-generation student.
Make a plan and communicate with your guardians
The hardest part of being a first-generation student is the first part: Your parents or guardians never went to or completed college. If you aspire to earn your degree, you should plan everything out, writing it down step by step and mapping out solid steps on how to achieve this goal. Communicate with your parents when you decide what you want to do. Just because they have limited insight doesn’t mean they don’t have insight at all on your decisions. And if you’re planning on getting them on your side, you should take into account their thoughts and feelings on your plans for your future.
Related: 4 Helpful Tips for Parents of First–Generation College Students
Familiarize yourself with your school counselors
You absolutely have to get to know your high school or college counselor. Since you don’t have someone at home to inform you about scholarship opportunities or walk through applications with you, it’s good to find someone at your high school or community center who can. Counselors can help you find valuable resources for financial aid, internships, and more, in addition to answering those questions about the college search and application process for you.
One thing that helped me was getting an introduction on how to make accounts with the colleges I applied to. With limited contact to the schools and a busy schedule, it’s comforting to have someone walk you through unfamiliar processes. If you don’t have access to a counselor at your own school or their knowledge is limited, contact the colleges you’re considering directly to ask for assistance from the admission office on the path to your higher education. Don’t be afraid to reach out!
Narrow down your prospects
If you’re applying to out-of-state colleges and universities, the first step is figuring out which ones. You may want to start by figuring out if you’re more of a West Coast or East Coast person. Maybe you want to apply to schools in the Midwest or the South. Think about what kind of an environment you want to experience your secondary education in, what regional weather you prefer, and how far away from home you’re willing to travel.
Another big factor to consider are costs. Out-of-state tuition can be two or three times the costs than if you were to go to college in state. When you’re new to the admission process and have limited help at home, that’s a tough aspect to consider when you’re creating your college list. But with reciprocity agreements and tuition exchange programs like the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), students can find colleges in certain regions and neighboring states with tuition comparable to in-state costs. These programs are essential for first-generation students. Don’t discount out-of-state colleges because of the initial price tag.
Review the complete cost to attend
Outside of tuition, you need to make sure you can afford everything else required to attend college and sustain adequate living conditions, with help from scholarships, loans, or otherwise. College fees for new students are similar from school to school. Factor them into your total budget and talk with your family about how much you and they are expected to contribute. Also talk to your counselors for insight on scholarship opportunities and how to go about student loans. This will play the biggest role in helping you decide what college or university is a viable option financially.
When it comes to classroom materials, always look for places to get your books free or second hand. Check out websites like Chegg or look for discounter materials on Amazon. These little extra bits of effort to find cheaper options can help reduce the cost of your textbooks and save you a lot of money in the long run.
Related: How to Figure Out Your College Costs
Subscribe to college email newsletters
Having access to information and reminders about enrollment dates and submission requirements, among other helpful resources like timelines, can help you keep on track and meet important application deadlines. Plus, immersing yourself in news surrounding campus activities, opportunities, and enrollment will help you connect with the college during the process and become well versed in the school’s culture and admission system itself.
Determine which applications to fill out
There are a few universal systems colleges use to receive applications, like the Common Application, but many schools use their own applications. If you go on a college website, you should be easily able to figure out where their application lives and what’s required to submit it. (You may also qualify for an application fee waiver if you meet certain requirements.)
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is another application to familiarize yourself with, as you need to fill it out every year you attend. The FAFSA provides financial aid depending on your family’s needs. Some high schools and community colleges offer workshops available for filling them out that will help you and your parents fill out this important form. Ask your school counselor about events and free virtual opportunities online. Further, call the financial aid offices of the schools you’re applying to directly to learn more about scholarship and grant opportunities to supplement your other aid.
Wait for acceptances and choose your school
After you’ve submitted your applications, it’s a waiting game. Once you receive your acceptances, you have a big decision to make. Once you know what final colleges you have to choose from weigh the pros and cons for each campus environment, such as living conditions, weather, possible job or internship opportunities around the area, and the social scene.
One way to accomplish this is to visit the campuses (again or for the first time) of schools you got accepted to, if money and time permits. Some schools may even offer scholarships or fly-in programs to students who are trying to make their final decisions. There are also virtual tours, so you don’t necessarily need to be there in person to get a feel for what kind of environment you might prefer. Other major factors to consider include the financial aid package each school offers and which ones have the major that best aligns with your career goals.
Related: Our Best Advice on Making Your Final College Decision
If you have any questions about financial aid, applying to a specific school, starting at community college and transferring, or just what to expect when you get to campus, it never hurts to just Google it. You’ll find dozens of helpful websites, just like CollegeXpress, to get you started on your path to higher education. With boundless opportunities and resources, you’ll be on your way to the college of your choice in no time. Just make sure to look out for scams too—like scholarships you have to “pay to enter” or accidentally sending information to someone who isn’t a school representative. Always double-check your sources, and you’ll do just fine. Good luck!
If you’re looking for even more guidance through this process, get an even more comprehensive understanding of the process with our article: First–Gen Students: How to Navigate the College Search.
