Financial Aid Advice for First-Generation College Students

This week's College Coach blog post is from finance educator Patricia Pineiro-Goodenberger, who shares what she learned about paying for college from her experience as a first-generation college-goer and child of immigrants.
I was a first-generation college student, which I now say with pride. My parents immigrated to the U.S. with 14- and 16-year-old daughters and then, two years later, had two more daughters. My sisters and I all went on to graduate from college. With my two oldest siblings, my parents felt overwhelmed by the process, confused by the different costs of community colleges, in-state and out-of-state universities, and private colleges and universities.
My parents and older sisters were determined to give the last two daughters—including myself—all the American educational dreams that they had hoped for. Today, I’m sharing with you some things we learned along the way: 
There is no such thing as a stupid question. As recent immigrants with some translation issues, my parents weren’t even sure how to begin the process or who to ask questions. Then my mother decided that, if she didn’t know what something meant, there were probably others in the community who shared her confusion, so why not ask. She spent hours in the public library thumbing through giant guidebooks (this was before the internet). She found answers to her questions around different types of colleges and universities, majors, and how to apply. Now, it’s even easier to use free resources online to seek information. And don’t be afraid to ask school counselors for help!
The sticker price may not be what you will pay. Financial aid is devised to level the playing field and help families afford colleges. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), CSS Profile, and other forms are designed to help colleges and universities figure out how much you can pay. Schools use a standard formula to identify a family’s Student Aid Index (SAI), which is a measure of what they can pay for one year of a college education. Merit aid can also provide a tuition discount for some students at some schools. The bottom line is that you shouldn’t rule out a school based on the sticker price alone.
Look at what makes up your financial aid award. Awards may include scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. The biggest total award may not be the best offer because of the amount of loans awarded. Reach out to each college’s financial aid office if you're not sure how to interpret your award.
Deadlines are important. It is vital to look not only for admission deadlines, but financial aid and scholarship deadlines. This is especially important for low-income, first-generation college students who may be eligible for state grant funding.
Look for private scholarships. Private scholarships are not from the federal or state government, or from college and universities. In the US, any organization or corporation can award scholarships that students can use at any institution. When searching for scholarships, look locally first (because of less competition), then look for state and national opportunities.  Yes, these can be competitive, but they can also help pay for college.
If needed, ask the financial aid office for an appeal or negotiate. It’s okay to advocate for more money if you have special circumstances or if you have a better offer at another college. You will not lose your admission offer by asking for more money.
This is not a one-year process. You need to apply for financial aid each year. For some merit scholarships, you may need to maintain a certain GPA to stay eligible. Additionally, students should look for additional scholarships offered by their academic department, college, or university each year. They can also seek out support services on campus, like advising offices, academic success centers, and the financial aid office, to find new resources.

It was my own experience as a first-generation college student, whose first language was not English, that sparked my career in higher education and with Bright Horizons College Coach. I wake up daily excited about helping others through this process. My spouse loves to use the quote, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!” At College Coach, we love to help students and families navigate admissions and financial aid by breaking the process down into bite-sized pieces.