First-generation to grad school playbook: How to prepare, apply, and pay

Key takeaways for first-gen students applying to grad school 

• You're not alone—most grad students are just learning the process. Only 30% felt very prepared going into their program.*
• Start with your career goal. Most students who start grad school with clear career goals feel satisfied with their decision.
• Give yourself time. Most applications take 6–12 months to prepare, especially for essays and recommendations.
• You can build support. Professors, advisors, and mentors can help, even if you don’t have connections yet.
• Start with free money first. Scholarships and grants can lower your cost before you consider other options.

*Source: Sallie's "Grad School Confidence Report"

If you’re thinking about grad school as a first-generation student, it can feel like you’re trying to figure things out without a map. If that’s how it feels, you’re not alone—many students are learning the process as they go.

In fact, research from Sallie’s "Grad School Confidence Report" shows only 30% of grad students felt very prepared when they started, and most had unexpected challenges along the way. Nearly half also say they wish they had received different advice before enrolling, especially when it came to balancing work, understanding costs, and planning for their careers

The truth is, you don’t need insider knowledge to move forward. You just need to understand how the process works and break it down into steps.

This playbook will walk you through what “first-generation” means in this context, how to decide if grad school makes sense for you, what applying actually involves, and how to plan to pay for it.

What does “first-generation student" really mean?

A first-generation (or first-gen or first in family) student is typically someone whose parents or guardians didn’t complete a four-year college degree. Here, it can also mean you’re the first in your family to go to grad school.

That lack of exposure can make a real difference. Many parts of the grad school process aren’t written down in one place—people pick them up through conversations or experience. Without that, things like when to apply, how to ask for recommendations, or how funding works can feel unclear.

That confusion is common. It doesn’t mean you’re unprepared—it usually just means no one has walked you through it yet.

A helpful way to approach this is to treat grad school like a process you’re learning, not something you’re expected to already know. Once you understand the steps, it becomes much more manageable.

Step 1: Decide if grad school is the right move for you

Whether you’re exploring grad school while figuring out your career path or thinking about continuing after undergrad to specialize or advance, it’s normal to have questions about your options and how they support your goals.

Here’s how to think it through so you can make a decision that feels right for you.

Start with your career goal

Before applying, take a moment to think about whether grad school really fits your goals. That kind of clarity goes a long way. In fact, Sallie's "Grad School Confidence Report" shows 87% of students who start with clear career goals feel satisfied with their grad school decision, compared to around 60% who don’t start with goals in mind.

Look up a few roles that interest you and check what kind of education they require.

If you’re still exploring options, it can help to browse different types of programs and paths. Take a look at our overview on graduate school degrees and career paths to get a clearer sense of what’s out there.

Some careers—like law, medicine, or certain research roles—require graduate degrees or professional degrees. Others, like careers in the fields of business, technology, and education, may value work experience as much as the degree.

Understand what grad school is (and isn’t)

Don't think of grad school as simply the default move after college. It's best thought of as a tool to help you specialize, qualify for certain roles, or grow in your field—but it only makes sense if it clearly connects to where you want to go.  It also requires a major investment of time and money, so it’s worth being intentional.

Step 2: Understand the grad school process (before you apply)

Much of the stress around grad school comes from not knowing what to expect. Once you see the pieces, the process becomes more manageable.

Know what grad school applications ask for

Most applications require:

• Transcripts: Your academic record from college
• Letters of recommendation: Usually from professors or supervisors
• Personal statement or essays: Explaining how the grad program connects with your goals
• Resume or CV:  Outlines your professional and academic experience

You may also be asked to submit test scores, such as the GRE, depending on the school or program.

Each part gives a different view of who you are. Breaking it down into pieces makes the process easier to manage.

Get started early

Grad school applications usually take longer than people expect. It’s common to start preparing 6–12 months before deadlines. Starting earlier gives you more time to think through your choices and improve your materials, rather than rushing at the end.

Step 3: Build support and strengthen your application

Not having guidance from family or experience doesn’t mean you have to figure everything out alone. Most students build their support system as they go.

Reach out to professors and mentors 

You can start with professors, advisors, supervisors, or alumni. Online communities can also be helpful if you’re exploring a specific field.

Support doesn’t have to come from one person—it often comes from a few people who each help in small ways.

Be ready academically and professionally

Grad programs want to see that you’re moving in a clear direction. This might include relevant classes, internships, work experience, or research.

You don’t need to do everything. Showing effort and direction goes a long way.

Get strong letters of recommendation 

These are written statements from people who can speak to your abilities and potential. Strong letters usually come from people who know your work well, not just people with impressive titles.

Building those relationships takes time. Participating, asking questions, and staying engaged makes it easier for someone to write a meaningful letter later. When you ask, giving at least a month or two of notice is standard.

If you’re not sure where to begin, reaching out to one professor or supervisor is a strong first step.

Step 4: How to pay for grad school as a first-generation student

Figuring out how to pay for grad school can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it on your own. But having a plan helps. Sallie's "Grad School Confidence Report" shows 89% of students who prepare financially ahead of time say they’re highly satisfied, compared to about 70% who don’t.

Most students use a combination of different funding sources, but it helps to start in the right place. 

Start with free money

If you’re deciding where to begin, start with money you don’t have to pay back. Scholarships, and other types of aid can lower how much you need to pay out of pocket or borrow—sometimes by more than you expect. 

Be sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) so you can access federal financial aid and get a clearer picture of what support may be available. For help, check out our step-by-step FAFSA^® guide.

Search for scholarships early

Starting early gives you access to more opportunities and more time to apply, which can make a real difference in how much you end up paying. To make your search easier, you can use Scholly® Scholarships to find scholarships matched to your interests and background, including scholarships for first-generation students.

For an easy start, apply for our $5,000 No Essay Grad School Scholarship and Scholly^® Easy Apply Scholarships , which lets you apply to multiple opportunities with one simple application.

Understand your full set of options

After scholarships and grants, students often combine assistantships, employer benefits, savings, and student loans. If you want a breakdown of how these options work together, our guide on how to pay for grad school walks through it in more detail.

Know what you’re committing to

Before choosing a program, look at the total cost, program length, and salary expectations in your field. If you need to take out student loans, make sure you'll be able to manage the monthly payments after you graduate.

Planning ahead gives you more flexibility and helps you make a more informed decision.

Step 5: Apply with confidence

It’s normal to feel unsure at this stage, especially when you’re figuring things out for the first time. The good news is that you don’t need everything to be perfect—what matters most is putting together a clear, thoughtful application and taking it one step at a time.

Focus on your goals, your progress so far, and meeting deadlines. That’s what makes an application strong.

Final thoughts: You don’t need insider knowledge—just a plan

Grad school might not come with clear directions, especially if you’re the first in your family to go through it—but it’s still something you can navigate. The biggest advantage is understanding how the process works and giving yourself time to move through it step by step. Start early, ask questions when you’re unsure, and use the resources available to you. What feels confusing now will get clearer as you go.