Being the first person in your family to attend college is a big accomplishment. It can also come with a lot of questions: How do I register for classes? Who do I talk to about my degree? How does financial aid work? What happens if I do not understand something?
If your family has not been through the college process before, you may feel like everyone else knows what they are doing while you are trying to figure it out as you go. You are not expected to know everything when you start. Lemoore College has resources and people who can help you understand the process, one step at a time.
What Does “First-Generation College Student” Mean?
A first-generation college student is generally someone whose parents or guardians
did not complete a college degree. Being first-generation does not mean you have to
navigate college alone.
You may have questions that your friends or family cannot answer because they have not experienced college themselves. That is completely normal. Instead of trying to figure everything out on your own, learn who you can turn to when you need help.
Start With the Basics
College can involve several steps, but you do not have to complete everything at once.
If you are just getting started at Lemoore College, these are some of the important
steps to understand:
1. Apply for Admission
Your first step is applying to Lemoore College. The college provides an application
guide to help students understand the process and what information they will need.
If you have questions about your application or do not know what to do next, contact Admissions & Records at 559-925-3317.
2. Apply for Financial Aid
Paying for college can be one of the most confusing parts of the process, especially
if no one in your family has completed financial aid applications before.
Depending on your situation, financial aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study, or loans. Lemoore College recommends completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and listing Lemoore College on your application.
Learn about Financial Aid at Lemoore College →
If you need help, the Financial Aid Office can walk you through the process. You can call 559-925-3310 or email lemoorefinancialaid@whccd.edu.
3. Complete Your Orientation
Orientation is an opportunity to learn more about Lemoore College, its services, and
what you can expect as a student. It can help make the college environment feel less
unfamiliar when you are first getting started.
Complete Your Lemoore College Orientation →
4. Meet With a Counselor
You do not need to know exactly what you want to major in before talking with a counselor.
Counseling can help you explore your goals, create an educational plan, understand
degree requirements, choose classes, and connect you with other campus resources.
Connect With Lemoore College Counseling & Advising →
If you are unsure which classes you should take, this is a great place to start.
Learn the College Vocabulary
One of the hardest parts of being new to college can be understanding the words people
use. You may hear terms like:
- Educational plan: A plan that outlines the courses you may need to reach your academic goal.
- Units: The amount of academic credit assigned to a course.
- Prerequisite: A course or requirement you may need to complete before taking another course.
- Financial aid: Assistance that can help with educational expenses.
- FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
- CADAA: The California Dream Act Application.
- Counselor: A college professional who can help with academic planning, career goals, transfer, and other student needs.
- Registration: The process of enrolling in your classes.
- Degree: A credential earned after completing the required coursework for a program.
- Certificate: A credential focused on completing a specific set of courses or skills.
Do not be embarrassed if you do not recognize a term. Asking what something means is part of learning how college works.
You Do Not Have to Know Who to Ask
Sometimes the hardest question is simply, “Who do I talk to?”
Here is a simple starting point:
Questions about applying?
Contact Admissions & Records.
Questions about paying for college?
Contact Financial Aid.
Questions about choosing classes or planning your degree?
Contact Counseling & Advising.
Questions about academic help?
Ask about tutoring and other academic support services.
And if you are not sure which department you need, you can start with Student Services and ask where to go next.
Explore Lemoore College Student Resources →
It Is Okay to Ask for Help
You might worry that asking questions makes you look unprepared. In reality, knowing
when to ask for help is an important college skill.
You do not have to wait until you are completely overwhelmed. If you do not understand your financial aid, are unsure which class to register for, or do not know what a college term means, reach out early.
Lemoore College counselors specifically help students understand how to achieve their goals through educational plans and referrals to campus and community resources.
Create Your Own College Support System
Being the first in your family to attend college can mean that you are learning things
your family members have never had to navigate. That does not mean you are on your
own.
Start building a support system by getting to know your counselor, professors, classmates, and campus resources. Keep important phone numbers and websites somewhere you can easily find them. When someone at the college gives you information about your next step, write it down.
Most importantly, remember that you do not need to understand the entire college experience on your first day.
Your First-Generation College Checklist
If you are not sure where to begin, start with these steps:
- Apply to Lemoore College.
- Complete your financial aid application.
- Complete orientation.
- Meet with a counselor.
- Create an educational plan.
- Register for your classes.
- Learn where to find your student resources.
- Ask questions when you are unsure.
You do not have to have all the answers to belong in college. Being the first in your family to attend college means you are learning a new process—and you can learn it one step at a time. When you are unsure about what comes next, reach out to Lemoore College and ask. There is someone who can help you find your next step.