• First Generation College Advising

     

    What is a first-generation college-bound student?   First-generation students are the first generation of their family to go to college. Most colleges consider students whose parents did not attain a 4 year degree from any institution in any country as First Gen. There are many resources to support first-generation students, and students should self-identify with their counselor to learn about the college-going assistance available.

    What is an underrepresented college-bound student?  In higher education, 'underrepresented' refers to racial and ethnic populations that are disproportionately lower in number relative to their number in the general population.

    EOP - Equal Opportunity Programs (on college campuses):  EOP is designed to improve access and retention of historically low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. The program can provide admission and academic assistance to EOP-eligible undergraduate students. In many cases, the program offers financial assistance to eligible students. Colleges tailor their programs to accommodate the needs of their student population.  Search "EOP" on each college campus for details about their programs.  

  • The College and Career Center provides specialized assistance for First Generation and work closely with each student to identify the best career and college-going path for them that is affordable for their families. 

    We assist students by:

    • Providing a “roadmap” to college, explaining resources, areas to focus on, and 
      opportunities for building resumes 
    • Conducting career assessments to help students identify possible career and academic areas of interest
    • Identifying low-cost extracurricular opportunities
    • Discussing affordable college options
    • Helping students apply for colleges, including essay brainstorming and review
    • Identifying and helping students apply for scholarships
    • Assisting with financial aid applications (including FAFSA)
    • Reviewing financial aid offers to assist with decision-making
    • Instilling self-advocacy skills for college and beyond
    • Creating a network of first gen students so they can support one another.

    Las Lomas College/Career Center strives to support and serve anyone who identifies as first-generation. Please sign up for Wednesday Academy periods or join us for lunch. Please sign up if interested! All grades are welcome.

  • Useful Links:

     

    Resources: 

    Federal Trio Programs:  The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects.

    The Puente Project:  The PUENTE Project is a national award-winning program that for more than 30 years has improved the college-going rate of tens of thousands of California's educationally underrepresented students. Its mission is to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities, earn college degrees, and return to the community as mentors and leaders to future generations. The program is interdisciplinary in approach, with writing, counseling, and mentoring components.

    Questbridge: QuestBridge is a powerful platform bridging the nation's brightest, under-served youth and leading institutions of higher education and further opportunities. We are an aggregator of excellence. QuestBridge provides a single, internet-based meeting point which links exceptional students with colleges, scholarship providers, enrichment programs, employers, and organizations seeking students who have excelled despite obstacles. By facilitating these exchanges, QuestBridge aims to increase the percentage of talented low-income students attending the nation's best universities and the ranks of national leadership itself.

    I'm First:  I'm First! is an online community for first-generation college students—and their supporters. Hear inspiring stories and share your own, discover colleges that care about first-gen students, find answers to your questions about college, and receive guidance on the road to and through college.

    Students Rising Above, a successful college completion program, offers free online college admissions, financial aid, and career development through the SRA College2Careers Hub for students around the country. The SRA Hub is available to students 24/7, and provides personalized and professional online advising to students along the critical pathway from high school, to and throughout college, and into the workforce.

    GEAR UP: provides six- or seven-year grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high-poverty middle and high schools designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP funds also are used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.