According to the Department of Education, a first-generation student is "A student whose parent(s) or legal guardian did not complete a bachelor's degree."
This also includes students who:
Are first-generation American
Have a parent that went to college in adulthood
Have a parent that started college but did not finish
Have a parent that went to college, but is not involved in the student's life
WHAT IS A
FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT?
FIRST-GEN STATS.

In 2018,
nearly
one-third of the nation's undergraduate population identified as first- generation.
36% of
all first-generation students are required to take remedial classes
46% of
all first-generation students are African
American.
50% of
first-generation
students come from low-income households.
Less than
50% of
first-
generation students are
likely to
graduate on time.
ARTICLES & RESEARCH.
First-generation college student statistics in 2022
7 fast facts about your first generation students