Being a first-generation, low-income student in STEM is hard. There, I said it.
Your family hasn’t navigated college before, so they can’t guide you. Money is tight, so opportunities that cost money are off the table. You’re trying to figure out a system that wasn’t designed for you.
But here’s what I’ve learned: those challenges also build something. Resilience. Creativity. Determination. The ability to figure things out when you don’t have a roadmap.
This isn’t a comprehensive guide—it’s more like notes from someone who’s been there. Take what helps, leave what doesn’t.
The Challenges (They’re Real)
You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
First-gen students miss opportunities because we don’t know they exist. Research positions? Didn’t know you could just ask. Internships? Didn’t know when to apply. Graduate school? Didn’t know how it worked.
Your peers might have parents who went to college, who know the system, who have networks. You’re figuring it out as you go.
Money Is a Real Barrier
Textbooks cost hundreds of dollars. Unpaid internships aren’t an option when you need to pay rent. Software licenses, conference fees, application costs—it all adds up.
And the opportunity cost is real. Taking an unpaid research position means not working a paid job. That’s a luxury not everyone can afford.
You Feel Out of Place
Imposter syndrome hits different when you’re the first in your family to do this. When your peers don’t understand why you can’t just “ask your parents” or “take the summer off.” When you’re code-switching between home and school constantly.
It’s exhausting. And it’s valid.
What Actually Helps
Find Your People
This is the most important thing. Find people who get it.
On campus: First-gen student groups. STEM clubs. Professional societies. Study groups. These aren’t just social—they’re information networks. Someone knows about that scholarship. Someone knows which professor is looking for research students.
Online: Reddit, Discord, Twitter. There are communities of first-gen students sharing resources, advice, support. Find them.
Mentors: Professors, upperclassmen, professionals. Most people want to help. Ask. The worst they can say is no, and usually they say yes.
Use Free Resources
Textbooks are expensive. But:
- OpenStax has free textbooks for tons of subjects
- Library reserves often have textbooks
- Previous editions are way cheaper and usually fine
- International editions are the same content, fraction of the cost
Online courses: Khan Academy, edX, Coursera (audit for free). MIT OpenCourseWare has entire courses.
Software: Student discounts exist. Open-source alternatives exist (Python, R, LibreOffice). Use them.
Be Strategic About Money
Scholarships exist. Apply to everything. Even small amounts add up. Department scholarships, university scholarships, professional organizations—they’re out there.
Work-study and on-campus jobs are more flexible than off-campus. Research positions often pay and build your resume. Tutoring pays well and reinforces your learning.
But also: some unpaid opportunities are worth it if they lead to better things. Some aren’t. Learn to tell the difference. Don’t let anyone exploit you.
Build Your Resume Early
Start documenting everything. Projects, research, competitions, awards. Keep copies of positive feedback. You’ll forget accomplishments, and applications require evidence.
Create a LinkedIn. Build a portfolio if it makes sense for your field. GitHub for technical work. Show your work.
Ask Questions
Office hours exist for a reason. Use them. Ask about concepts, problem-solving, career paths. Build relationships with professors—you’ll need letters of recommendation.
Ask about opportunities. Research positions aren’t always advertised. Internships aren’t always posted. Sometimes you just have to ask.
Take Care of Yourself
This is hard. It’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to ask for help. Counseling services exist. Use them. Support groups exist. Join them.
Sleep matters. Food matters. Exercise matters. You can’t do this if you’re burned out.
Your Background Is a Strength
I know it doesn’t always feel like it, but it is.
You’ve overcome challenges. You know how to figure things out. You’re resourceful. You’re persistent. These are exactly the skills STEM fields need.
Your perspective is different. That’s valuable. Different experiences lead to different questions, different solutions, different innovations.
Resources That Actually Help
QuestBridge: Connects high-achieving, low-income students with top colleges.
Gates Scholarship: Full scholarship for Pell-eligible, minority students.
Professional organizations: NSBE, SHPE, AISES, SACNAS—they have scholarships, mentorship, community.
University resources: Financial aid office, career center, counseling center. They exist to help. Use them.
The Long Game
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Progress might feel slow. That’s okay. Setbacks happen. That’s okay too.
Compare yourself to your past self, not to others. Celebrate small wins. Remember why you’re doing this.
You belong here. You were admitted because you belong. Your background doesn’t limit your potential—it shapes your unique path.
Final Thoughts
Being first-gen and low-income in STEM is hard. But it’s also possible. People do it. You can too.
Find your community. Use free resources. Be strategic. Ask questions. Take care of yourself.
And remember: by succeeding, you’re not just helping yourself. You’re making it easier for the next first-gen student. You’re changing the system, one person at a time.
Keep going. You’ve got this.