Although you may be the first in your family to attend college, you are not alone on that path at The New School. More than 12.4 percent of New School students identify as first-generation college students. At The New School, we define first-generation students as any of the following:
- Has a parent that went to college in adulthood
- Has a parent that enrolled but never obtained a post-secondary degree
- Has a parent that never enrolled in a post-secondary education
- Is the first person in their family to complete an undergraduate or graduate degree in the United States
If you identify with any of these, welcome to our New School Firsts family!
First-generation college students enhance the experience of the larger New School community by bringing with them the qualities of pride, resourcefulness, adaptability, persistence, and independence. Our mission is to provide spaces to cultivate these characteristics, so that you can flourish in a college setting. New School Firsts is committed to promoting a sense of belonging in incoming and returning students at the university. We look forward to providing you with support and insight as you navigate your college experience by offering programming centered on financial literacy, student–faculty relationships, mental wellness, and academic readiness.
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"First-Gen Forward" University Designation
The New School has been recognized as a "First-Gen Forward" institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success. This designation is given to higher education institutions that have demonstrated a commitment to helping first-generation college students persist to graduation. Along with this honor, the university will receive additional resources to help us continue to build robust programming for these students.
National First-Generation College Student Day Highlights
November 8 is recognized as National First-Gen Day and is an annual celebration of first-generation college students. Each year, the New School community comes together to celebrate.
Commencement Highlights
We are very proud of our First-Gen graduates! Each year, New School Firsts hosts a commencement celebration to honor our first-generation students.