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Re: Earlier question and 1st-gen status
These questions are stemming off of an earlier question posted that asked whether a parent's foreign college degree would still keep the child under 1st gen status or not. Your answer named that student as NOT 1st gen, as they were raised in a home that values education.
This led me to pondering - if a student's parent has a 4 year degree, but the student is raised by a grandparent/guardian, and NOT by the educated parent, would that child then be considered a first-gen student?
Alternately, what if a grandparent earned a 4-year degree, but the parents that are raising a student do not; would that then revert her/him/them back to being a 1st-gen student, when the parent had been a Not-1st-gen student?
Lastly, what if the same student (from question 2) still lives with the non-bachelor's degree parent, but the college-educated grandparent lived with the family? What status would that child then have, 1st-gen or Not 1st-gen?
I realize that these are not the majority of our students, but these cases do arise! Thank you so much, I appreciate your taking the time to explain!
I would also love to hear what other TRIO professionals think regarding these questions! Please feel free to add your thoughts to the comments!! :)
Howdy! Below are the answers to all your questions above:
Not sure which specific TRIO program you are with so I'm copying and pasting the ones specific to SSS and UB here below and then then the citations for the other programs. Bottom-line: It's all about the natural or adoptive Parents across all the TRIO Programs - not based on any other relative or the grandparents - unless they are the adoptive parents. Note for SSS below, students that did not live with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent is automatically considered a first-generation college student.
SSS Regulations:
§ 646.7 What definitions apply?
34 CFR 646.7(b) “First generation college student”
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-646#p-646.7(b)(First%20generation%20college%20student)
First generation college student means—
(1) A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree;
(2) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree; or
(3) An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly reside with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent.
UB Regulations:
§ 645.6 What definitions apply to the Upward Bound Program?
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-645#p-645.6(b)(Participant)
Potential first-generation college student means—
(1) An individual neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a baccalaureate degree; or
(2) A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly resided with and received support from only one natural or adoptive parent and whose supporting parent did not receive a baccalaureate degree.
Also - across all TRIO Programs:
1. Statutory Basis
The Higher Education Act (HEA), Section 402A(f), provides the statutory definition of a first-generation college student:“The term ‘first-generation college student’ means—(1) an individual both of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree; or(2) in the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree.”
2. Regulatory Basis
The statutory definition of 'first-generation college student' is found in the Higher Education Act of 1965, Sec. 402A(f). This definition is incorporated into TRIO regulations at:
- 34 CFR § 643.7 (Talent Search – TS)
- 34 CFR § 644.7 (Educational Opportunity Centers – EOC)
- 34 CFR § 645.6 (Upward Bound – UB)
- 34 CFR § 646.7 (Student Support Services – SSS)
- 34 CFR § 647.7 (McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement)
3. ED Guidance & Clarification
While the statute and regulations do not explicitly address whether foreign degrees count, the U.S. Department of Education has consistently clarified in program guidance and technical assistance that the location of the degree is irrelevant. If a parent has earned a bachelor’s degree—whether in the United States or abroad—the student is not considered first-generation. This clarification has been provided in:
- Annual TRIO Project Directors’ Conferences (ED Program Specialists’ TA sessions)
- TRIO Training workshops hosted by ED-funded training providers
- COE-published FAQs and guidance documents citing ED’s position.
The consistent ED response: 'If a parent has earned a bachelor’s degree, regardless of the country where it was earned, the student is not considered first-generation.'