As the first in her family to go to college, Chantel White is a role model for her two younger brothers, ages 12 and 20.
She even inspired her older brother to go back to school and earn a business degree at age 27.
“Since our parents haven’t been through this college thing, they can’t help us like other people’s parents can,” Chantel says. “Our parents tried as hard as they could, but they didn’t know the first thing about buying college textbooks.”
Transitioning is a challenge for many first-generation college students. Without guidance from a trusted adult, it can be difficult to figure out the technical details.
Fortunately, there are programs that offer support at every level, from walking high school students through the application process, to pairing them with mentors and tutors once they’re enrolled.
Chantel, a social work major at IU Bloomington, found the Groups Scholars Program through word of mouth. She looked up the requirements herself and relied on her high school guidance counselor to explain the process.
“No one ever told me what a recommendation letter was,” Chantel said. Luckily, plenty of people were happy to write her one.
Chantel began preparing for college her sophomore year of college. She volunteered regularly in the community, and her mentors helped her find waivers for SAT prep courses and college application fees.