Frequently Asked Questions – CSB+SJU

If neither of your parents/guardians have completed a four-year degree, you are identified as a first-generation college student at CSB/SJU.

First-generation status is determined solely by parents/guardians educational history; therefore, sibling degrees do not impact your status as a first-gen student. 

If your parents have completed a four-year degree before you began college, you are not considered first-generation; however, you may have experiences similar to first-generation students because your parents attended as non-traditional students. Feel free to seek out supports for your experiences and questions. 

If your parents/guardians completed a degree, within or outside of the US, you are not a first-generation college student; however, you may have similar experiences to first-generation students because of the differences in higher education institutions internationally. Fell free to seek out supports for your experiences and questions. 

Yes; you are a first-generation student unless your parents have completed a four-year degree. Therefore, students whose parents attended some college, earned a 2-year degree or certification, or went to a four-year university but didn’t receive a degree are all considered first-generation students. 

The response will vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances. With all non-anonymous reports, the Senior Diversity Officer or designee and the Associate Provost for Student Success or designee will reach out to reporters to offer support and resources. Other responses may include investigation by CSB and SJU, referral to the student conduct process, disciplinary action for employees, education/training for involved CSB and SJU community members, education/training for the community, and/or restorative justice. CSB and SJU will address bias incidents in accordance with all applicable university policies. In cases where a student or employee is found responsible for violating CSB and SJU policy, the sanctions will vary based on the facts and circumstances and may range from a formal warning to suspension or expulsion. In determining sanctions, CSB and SJU consider a number of factors, including the nature of the conduct, the intent of the person who engaged in the conduct, and the impact of the conduct on individual(s) and the community. In a case in which the conduct is considered a hate crime for purposes of Clery Act reporting, the minimum sanction is suspension. In situations where conduct by a student or employee does not violate CSB and SJU policy but has caused harm, the schools will respond through educational and/or restorative approaches.

26% of the student body at CSB/SJU identify as first-generation students. This is around 940 of our roughly 3,620 undergraduate enrollment. 

Over 125 of our faculty and staff members identify as first-generation college students.

The Intercultural LEAD Scholarship is available for first-generation students and requires an application and other collegiate commitments. There are currently no general, institutional scholarships offered to all first-generation college students at CSB/SJU. 

First-generation students’ parents/guardians have not completed a four-year degree. The first-gen identity can signal certain areas in which a student may need additional support. National data suggests that many first-generation students do not have as strong of supports and insights into college as their non-first-generation counterparts because their parents do not have their own experiences and understanding to share about completing a four-year degree. First-generation students can benefit from extra supports from their college/university while transitioning into and navigating the college experience. However, first-generation is not an identity that means students are unprepared; rather, many first-generation students have a significant drive and passion for education and aspire to support and bring pride to their families. Many first-generation students bring different types of expertise to the college environment and add to the diversity of the campus. 

First-generation students can reach out to the First-Generation Organization, Multicultural Student Services, or any connection you have on campus can direct you to a resource.