First Generation Students

Overview

About one in every three students here at Santa Fe College self-identify as a first-generation (First Gen) college student. SF welcomes and supports the success of our First Gen college students.

Who are First Gen students?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor's degree. This means that you are the first person in your family to attend a four-year college or university to attain a bachelor's degree.

Why it matters.

Being the first in your family to go to college is something that should make you extremely proud! When you identify as First Gen at SF, you are matched with unique opportunities and resources, and get invited to participate in First Gen events. The college also recognizes the success of First Gen graduates with a single stranded honor cord to be worn over your gown at graduation. Note: First Gen graduates will be contacted about receiving their cords by their academic coaches in the SSS program or by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

You're certainly not alone.

It takes a certain courage to set out into uncharted waters. First Gen college students at SF are in good company with faculty and staff ready to offer you the support, guidance, and skills you need to be successful. Moreover, many SF faculty and staff members also represent a First Gen background and know the unique challenges of being first in their family to attend college.

Specific Support for First Gen Students

Before Attending SF

First in My Family Admissions events provide first-generation college students and their families with a comprehensive introduction to Santa Fe College.

As a First Gen Student

College Achievement Program

A summer program that facilitate a smooth transition from high school to college by helping first-generation participants develop the skills they will need to succeed in any degree track.

First Gen Day at Santa Fe & Other First Gen Events

This is an annual celebration of First-Generation students, faculty, and staff that you want to make sure to attend! For more on events and activities, be sure to check your student email. For specific information, please contact Joseph Jester at 352-395-5648 or joseph.jester@sfcollege.edu.

Student Support Services (SSS)

SSS helps qualified first-generation college students succeed by assisting them in navigating the various aspects of college life. SSS scholars have a designated academic coach who can help with academic inquiries and apply for financial aid, and offer free tutoring, personal mentoring, transfer assistance, or connect with valuable college and community resources.

Grants and Scholarships

There are many ways to pay for college, including grants and scholarships designated to fund first-generation college students, such as the first-generation Matching Grant. To apply for incredible funding opportunities, complete the FAFSA and the SF scholarship applications.

Additional Resources

• Student Support Services
• Career Exploration Center
• Recreational Activities
• Honors Program
• Tutoring Services
• Disabilities Resource Center
• Library
• Learning Commons
• Veterans and Military Success Services
• Counseling and Wellness Center
• Student Life
• My Brother's Keeper (MBK)

View Complete List

SF Faculty and Staff Who Were First Gen Students

A considerable number of faculty and staff at Santa Fe college were like you in being the first in their family to attend college. They self-identify now because they want you to know that you belong here at SF, that there is support for you, and that like them, you can achieve your goals. Below is a list of first-generation faculty and staff.

Are you are staff/faculty member who wants to be added to this list? 

Please complete the First Generation Form.

First-Generation Student Advisory Group

The First-Generation Student Advisory Group is a group of first-generation students who 1) meet monthly with college officials, 2) represent the voice of first-generation students at Santa Fe College, 3) Share experiences, ideas, and advice 4) Promote college services and activities to other First Gen students and 5) Participate in first-generation programming, activities, and campus events.

2023-2024 Members

The members of the 2023-2024 first-generation Student Advisory Group include:

• Carmelos Brown
• Janell Cruz
• Jiawen Du
• Maya L Johnson
• Angelina Vanacore
• Nancy B Raphael
• Maria Rodriguez Acosta
• Jamari Woods

Staff members offering direct support to the Student Advisory Group include:

• Bill A Barnes
• Naima Brown
• D'on Jeffers
• Joseph Jester
• Joseph P Haughton
• Tari Kendall
• Nance Lempinen-Leedy
• Shanna D Ratliff
• Alex J Siwiecki

Next Steps

Apply for Admission

1. Apply for admission to SF using our online application.

• The official college application for admission or the FAFSA asks you to declare if either of your parents have completed a 4-year college degree. Your response helps the college identify you as a first-generation college student.

  If you need to update your answer to identify as first-generation, you may do so by taking the following steps:

  1. Log in to eSantaFe.
  2. Select Documents, then Public Documents, and
  3. Select Admissions Documents, then complete the Parent or Guardian Education Declaration by inputting the education level of your parent(s)/guardian(s).

2. Log in to eSantaFe and go to "My Status" to complete the following:

• Submit High school transcripts and college transcripts (if applicable)  
• Submit test scores such as SAT, ACT, or PERT in person or email them to admissions@sfcollege.edu
• Orientation – Complete orientation online
• Meet with an Academic Advisor*
• Submit Florida Residency Declaration form, if applicable

*Who is an Academic Advisor?

An academic advisor is someone who helps students navigate their career and educational choices. Academic advisors assist students in the degree they decide to pursue by making sure the student is completing the correct classes for the degree. Santa Fe College offers academic advising to students where advisors can help students who are completing an A.A. degree, A.S. degree, C.T.E. certificate or a bachelor's degree.

Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships

1. Apply for Financial Aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will complete FAFSA according to your dependency status.

• SF School code: 001519
• For more information, please visit the Financial Aid site.

2. Complete College Scholarship and Foundation Scholarship applications.

Upon completion, check verification or awards status on your "My FA Status" in eSantaFe.

Enroll in Classes

When you are ready to enroll for classes:

• Schedule an appointment with your Academic Advisor.
  • Note: Be sure to discuss your degree audit before registering for classes. You can also review your degree audit and schedule an in-person, phone or online appointment in eSantaFe in the Advisement tab.
• Login to eSantaFe and navigate to "My Classes".
  • Select Term and search for classes. 
  • Choose classes – online or in-person. SF offers classes at various locations.
  • Register and pay for classes.
• View "My Schedule" for your complete list of classes for the semester.
  • Fees must be paid prior to the date posted on your "My Schedule" or you will be purged from your classes. Classes will not be purged for students whom have been awarded financial aid prior to the fees due date.

Get Student ID

As a current SF student, you can access the SF Fitness Center, Rec Room, Lawrence W. Tyree Library, Northwest Campus Testing Center, ride standard RTS buses for free with an SFID and more. 

Learn more about what you need in order to get an SFID.

Good to Know

Paying for College

How it works

There are multiple ways to pay tuition. If you have applied for financial aid and have verified your awards, your financial aid will be used first to pay your tuition. Any scholarships, through SF or SF Foundation or other sources, will also be applied. Any amount remaining after financial aid and scholarships have been applied will be the student's responsibility to cover.

Financial Aid

Applying for FAFSA can help pay your college expenses by offering grants, work study, loans and scholarships. Need help completing the FAFSA? Reach out to the SF's Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to students who meet specific criteria set by the organization or donor who awards the scholarships. This type of aid does not have to be repaid and can help with paying for college expenses.

Work Study

This is also known as "earned aid". As you work, you earn funds just like you would any other job. You are not required to pay this money back. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for work study.

Self Pay

Santa Fe College accepts a number of payment methods for college tuition, including payments by mail, online, or in person.

Learn more about Ways to Pay.

Book Charging

Students who have financial aid receive a bookstore line of credit (BLOC) that can be used for textbooks and supplies needed for the semester. This line of credit can be used at the Santa Fe College Bookstore. Students who prefer to order online for supplies and textbooks can also use their line of credit.

• Items you can charge: Textbooks (including rentals), supplies, digital materials.
• Items you can't charge: Specialty food, clothing, drinks. (These items are considered non-essential convenience items.)

Learn more about Financial Aid Book Charging.

Jobs on Campus

The Federal Work Study program helps students add experience to their resume while earning money. The program provides part-time jobs for students on campus. Students must complete FAFSA and indicate that you're interested in getting Federal Work-Study in order to be eligible.

Learn more about Federal Work Study at SF.

To find student jobs on campus, visit SF Job Opportunities.

SF has been designated a first-gen forward institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation. This designation recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.

Faculty Resources for Supporting First Gen Students - Professional Development

Santa Fe College has invested in a great deal of resources for professional development.

Literature

You can access the reading guide Supporting First-Generation College Students, a collection of resources and research, including an annotated bibliography (created Diana Matthews and Leana Fitzgerald) and access to the Journal of First-Generation Student Success. 

Seminars

The Student Affairs Professional Development Calendar includes a few seminars on first-generation students each year. To host a special presentation on first-generation students in your department, please contact Andrea Mender at andrea.mender@sfcollege.edu, Roxanna Ruiz at roxanna.ruiz@sfcollege.edu or Keyna Wintjen at keyna.wintjen@sfcollege.edu.

Webinars

There are several webinars sponsored by NASPA that SF faculty and staff can access.

Please contact naima.brown@sfcollege.edu for more information about professional development opportunities on first-generation students.