Helping Your Child Become a First-Generation College Student

If you haven't been to college and your child is planning to go, you can help more than you might think. For information that can help you and your teen prepare for college and a career, check out Family Firsts—a set of booklets for first-generation college students and their parents.

Parent version
(PDF; 4 pages, 208KB)
Student version
(PDF; 16 pages, 299KB)
Spanish version for parents
(PDF; 4 pages, 217KB)

Helping a "family first" plan for college

Here are a few things you can encourage your student to do to prepare for college, and the sooner the better:

Develop reading, writing and thinking skills.
Limit TV time.
Listen to music with positive messages.
Join clubs in debate, science or writing.
Read, read, read.
Identify people who can help in and out of school.
Ask questions.
Visit colleges.
Sign up for college outreach programs.
Talk to college students.
Join groups at school and in the community that focus on positive values and support for each member.

For more college planning information, visit ACT's student website.