# Admissions

**Source**: https://admissions.tamu.edu/resources/future-students/first-generation
**Parent**: https://admissions.tamu.edu/apply/admitted-students

# First Generation

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## Blaze Trails as an Aggie!

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First-generation students make up 25% of Texas A&M University’s student enrollment. By enrolling in higher education, you are taking the first step towards improving your and your family’s quality of life, income and future.\
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Coming to college can be stressful and scary — How much will it cost me? What’s the best method to study? How do I get around campus? Many more questions might come to mind. Texas A&M wants to do all it can to prepare our first-generation students for educational success. Our first-generation guide is your cheat sheet for preparing for your New Student Conference and campus life and learning about resources you can utilize to make college simpler.\
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## Routh First-Generation Center

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The Routh First-Generation Center provides first-generation students with support programs, professional development and resources to succeed. First-generation students are encouraged to take advantage of every available resource.\
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### Contact the Center

Hotard Hall, First Floor\
1164 TAMU\
College Station, TX 77843-1164\
(979) 458-6111 - Office\
[firstgen@tamu.edu](mailto:firstgen@tamu.edu)\
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[VISIT ROUTH FIRST-GENERATION CENTER](https://studentsuccess.tamu.edu/routh-first-gen-center)

## Paying for College

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The cost of a university education can be daunting. Texas A&M offers first-generation students scholarships and financial aid to help mitigate your expenses. Students are encouraged to pursue every opportunity to lower the cost of attending college.\
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## [Financial Terminology](#a-financialterminology-8Bbyhc)

College presents students with several new financial terms that might be confusing. Use this guide to help better understand.

- **Cost of Attendance:** This is the total price of going to college. This includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies and other living expenses.
- **Direct PLUS Loan:** Federal loans available to parents. This loan has higher interest rates and requires a credit check.
- **Expected Family Contribution:** A formula that tells you how much you can afford to pay. This estimation includes your family's assets, income and family size.
- **Grants:**This is money awarded that you do not have to pay back. It is mostly based on financial need.
- **Net Price:** After grants, scholarships and tuition discounts have been accounted for, this will be the amount you'll actually pay for college.
- **Merit Aid:**This money is based on academic achievement, artistic abilities and leadership skills.
- **Perkins Loan:** Federal loans that have a relatively lower interest rate and are reserved for low-income students.
- **Scholarships:**Money that does not need to be repaid and can be received in various ways.
- **Subsidized Stafford Loan:** Based on financial need, this loan's interest doesn't start building up until you enter repayment after graduating college.
- **Unsubsidized Stafford Loan:** Interest starts building up the day you take out the loan; it is not based on financial need.
- **Work-Study:**Students are given an on-campus job to help pay for college bills.

## [Regents' Scholars Program](#a-regents39scholarsprogram-JhC_Vb)

The Regents’ Scholars Program was created in Fall 2004 and is awarded annually to first-generation students at Texas A&M. Award-winners will receive up to $6,000 per year for up to four years.

[View Program Details](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/undergraduate-scholarships/regents-scholars-program)

[View Program FAQ](https://scholarships.tamu.edu/Scholarship-Programs/Regents-Scholars/Regents-FAQ#0-Whatisfirst-generation%3F)

## [Scholarships](#a-scholarships-1P9MAQ)

First-generation freshmen and transfers have access to university-wide scholarships through the [ApplyTexas](https://www.applytexas.org/) or [Common App](https://www.commonapp.org/) applications. Continuing students have access to scholarships through the [University Scholarship Application](https://uwide.tamu.edu/).

[Visit Scholarships](https://aggie.tamu.edu/)

## [Financial Aid](#a-financialaid-Bk2ER4)

All first-generation students have access to financial aid through the [Free Application for Federal Student Aid](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid) (FAFSA) and [Texas Application for State Financial Aid](https://aggie.tamu.edu/financial-aid/apply-for-aid) (TASFA).

[Visit Financial Aid](https://aggie.tamu.edu/)

##### First Generation

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