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First-Generation College Support

In 2023, LitNet began to commit to delving deeper into our mission of “transforming lives.” We continue to serve newly arrived Berkshire County immigrants, as well as those who may have been here for some time, interested in learning or bettering their English language skills; we became more cognizant that some of our learners had been here for many years and now had children who were approaching adulthood and were uncertain about the opportunities that lay ahead for them.

Meet Deisy
Meet Deisy

LitNet’s First-Generation College Coordinator

Having graduated from high school in 2023, Deisy possesses firsthand experience with the path to college as a first-generation student. Experienced in the application process, the obstacles, and where she could have used extra support, Deisy set about to create and deliver workshops for first-generation college hopefuls and their families to help smooth their experience.

Since late fall 2023, Deisy has come on board at LitNet to serve as LitNet’s First-Generation College Coordinator, sharing her knowledge of the community’s needs and working in partnership with the LitNet Education Team and the LitNet First-Generation College Liaison Committee. She formed the LitNet First-Generation Council, made up of peers who are also first-generation college students or high school seniors on their path to college, to plan for relevant workshops and support. 

LitNet’s First-Gen College Liaison Committee – Deisy, Laura, and Sandra
Some of LitNet’s First-Gen Council members

LitNet’s definition of what it means to be first-generation:

While the federal definition of a “first-generation college student” means a person whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree, many schools have their own definitions. Some institutions reserve resources to serve both first-generation with low-income students and commonly use the acronym FGLI. LitNet takes a wide-ranging definition of who we are serving when we talk about the First-Generation College Project. We aim to serve students (and their family members) who do not have the benefit of an in-family role model with first-hand experience of the U.S. higher education system and/or students who do not have the resources of other students. This could mean: 

  • Students whose parents are immigrants, even if those parents have college degrees in their home country
  • U.S.-born students whose parents did not attend or complete college 
  • Students who speak a language other than English at home
  • Low-income students
  • Anyone who needs a detailed introduction and breakdown of the U.S. higher education system beyond what is traditionally offered.
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LitNet First-Gen Scholarship!

Earn $500 while getting free support for your pathway to college!

First-Gen College Support Program Overview

All of the following programs and support for first-generation college hopefuls and their families are free.

For First-Generation College Hopefuls

(First-Gen High School students)
Bilingual

  • The opportunity to be paired to work 1:1 with a volunteer tutor who will provide support with the college application process, including essay writing, time management, and exploration of options
    Link to apply for a tutor: https://zfrmz.com/esmO2qkFLV0YyMqjucuN
  • The opportunity to be paired to work 1:1 with a current first-gen college student who will serve as a mentor and role model by sharing experiences, advice, and answering questions
  • The opportunity to join LitNet’s group tours to regional college campuses, typically in partnership with the college’s Latino student club
  • Support with seeking relevant scholarships
  • Support for families (in English or Spanish) around FAFSA/MASFA and general questions regarding financing college
  • The opportunity to apply for LitNet’s First-Gen Scholarship (hyperlink scholarship application)
    Spanish link: https://zfrmz.com/virpr1PbX5ShnbF2TNiz
    English link: https://zfrmz.com/ZLpdEgB01sMWCw8RgbLS

For First-Generation College Hopeful Families

(support available in English and Spanish)

  • Support with understanding higher education in the USA (types of degrees and programs, types of institutions, and info on financing college)
  • Support with understanding and applying for FAFSA and MASFA
  • Support with locating and understanding scholarship and aid opportunities
  • The opportunity to join LitNet’s group tours to regional college campuses

For Berkshire County High Schools

  • LitNet offers workshops in Spanish for students and their families on FAFSA & MAFSA.
  • We also offer a Spanish workshop about the Pathway to College, which includes understanding the differences between degrees, types of higher education institutions, and financing college.
  • We can provide tutors for upper class level students to improve their English language skills.
  • We can provide a tutor specifically to support a student on their path to college with elements such as college essay writing, time management, and offer general encouragement and advice on the process.
  • We can pair first-gen college hopefuls with a first-gen college student for mentorship

Please reach out if you need support in any of these areas or if you wish to request a workshop for your school or community.

Contact LitNet’s First-Gen College Coordinator, Deisy, at [email protected].

Related Resources

OrganizationWebsite
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundationhttps://berkshiretaconic.org/grants-scholarships
Center for First Generation Student Successhttps://firstgen.naspa.org/
Chang-Chavkin Scholars Programhttps://changchavkinscholars.org/massachussets/
La Unidad Latina Foundationhttps://www.lulf.org/scholarships.html
Matriculatehttps://matriculate.org/high-school-fellows-application/
Public Higher Education Campuseshttps://www.mass.edu/system/campusdirectory.asp