First generation college student?

[kayausa]

I sometimes get asked (mainly in forms and stuff) if I'm a first generation college student... and I wonder myself...
If my grandparents have/had degrees (one Dr.) and my parents don't (though my father was a research student for quite a few years and works on, writes doctorate level papers and books... translating ancient languages and stuff like that)
am I a first gen college student?

[eyrobinson]

Ha...I don't know that's a good one. My mother didn't get her bachelor's degree until she was 43 (after she was retired) so does that make me first generation?

[alissaroot]

A first generation college student is usually considered to be someone whose parents never attended college at all. I'm not positive, but I don't think it includes grandparents or other family. Sometimes the definition is expanded to include people whose parents have some college. But, for awarding grants and scholarships, the "high school only (or less)" definition is what they go by first, with some exceptions. Depends on which grant or scholarship it is. Here's an article about it:

http://www.lavc.edu/research/News/FirstGenMar04.pdf

Interesting question!