91³Ô¹Ï

If you’re the first person in your family to apply to college, nobody around your kitchen table has been through this before — and that can make a straightforward process feel overwhelming. 91³Ô¹Ï, a regionally accredited, non-profit institution serving Northeast Pennsylvania since 1894, works with hundreds of first-generation students and their families every year who need a plain-language walkthrough rather than a pile of brochures. This guide breaks the college application process into five concrete steps, explains what each one actually involves, and points out where first-generation students most often get stuck — and how to get unstuck.

Step 1: Pick the Right Kind of School Before You Pick a Specific One

Before filling out any applications, it’s worth being clear on what kind of school matches the student’s goals, timeline, and budget. The three main categories that matter for most families are four-year universities, community colleges, and career-focused two-year institutions like 91³Ô¹Ï. A four-year university is typically the right fit for a student whose target career legally requires a bachelor’s degree at entry (such as K-12 teaching, most engineering roles, or certain nursing tracks), or for a family that can absorb the full cost of four years away from home and values the residential university experience. A community college or career-focused two-year institution is often the stronger fit for students who want a credentialed career in two years or less, for families who want to minimize student loan debt, and for students who want to start working and transfer to a bachelor’s program later.

For first-generation students specifically, the math often favors starting at a two-year school. Tuition is a fraction of four-year costs, class sizes are smaller, faculty access is more personal, and the pressure of committing six figures to a decision you’re not yet sure about is removed from the equation. A two-year associate degree is not a consolation prize — it’s the most cost-effective credentialed first step available in higher education, and it does not close any doors to a bachelor’s degree later.

Step 2: Understand What the Application Actually Asks For

The specific application itself varies by school. Some four-year universities use the  â€” a single application that submits to multiple schools at once — while most community colleges, career-focused institutions, and state universities use their own direct application forms. 91³Ô¹Ï uses its own direct application, which is free to submit and can be completed online in roughly the time it takes to fill out a job application.

Regardless of which application you use, you will generally be asked for basic identifying information, your school history (high school or GED records), your intended area of study, and contact information for a guidance counselor or other reference. Some schools ask for personal essays or statements of purpose. Some require standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT, while others do not. Students with a GED instead of a high school diploma are welcome to apply at most community colleges and career-focused schools, and this is specifically the case at 91³Ô¹Ï. The most common first-gen mistake at this step is assuming the application process will be harder than it is — for most career-focused two-year colleges, including 91³Ô¹Ï, it genuinely isn’t.

One thing worth flagging up front: 91³Ô¹Ï’s institutional admissions process is open enrollment, but a handful of selective-admissions programs — specifically Nursing (ASN), Occupational Therapy Assistant, Surgical Technology, and the Sonography programs (Cardiac and Diagnostic Medical) — have additional program-specific requirements (minimum GPA, entrance assessments, interviews, observation hours, or prerequisite coursework). Students interested in one of those programs should check the program page before they apply so they know what the selective process looks like and can plan accordingly.

Key Takeaway: Not every college requires the Common App, entrance essays, or SAT scores. Career-focused two-year institutions like 91³Ô¹Ï use direct applications that are free, online, and designed to be completed without a guidance counselor walking you through each page. Select programs may have additional requirements — see the relevant program page for specifics.

Step 3: File the FAFSA — and the PHEAA Application if You’re in Pennsylvania

The  is the single most important form a first-generation student and their family will fill out. It determines eligibility for federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, and many institutional scholarships — and most colleges will not award any financial aid without a completed FAFSA on file. The form is free, it is filed at studentaid.gov, and it typically takes a family less than an hour to complete once tax information is ready. The FAFSA for a given academic year historically opens in October of the prior fall, though recent cycles have opened later than that — families should file as soon as the FAFSA opens to maximize eligibility for need-based aid, some of which is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pennsylvania residents should also file the  State Grant application, which is a separate form — not part of the FAFSA — and which determines eligibility for Pennsylvania State Grants. PHEAA grants often stack on top of federal Pell grants to cover a substantial portion of tuition for eligible students. Many first-generation Pennsylvania students miss out on PHEAA funding simply because nobody told them the state grant required its own application. 91³Ô¹Ï’s Student Financial Services team walks every family through both applications at no cost, and the conversation is usually where hidden financial aid options — employer scholarships, workforce development grants, veteran benefits, institutional awards — get surfaced. At 91³Ô¹Ï, 95% of students receive financial aid. The gap between the sticker price and what families actually pay is almost always larger than people expect.

Step 4: Visit the Campus, Meet the People, and Ask the Uncomfortable Questions

No website, brochure, or virtual tour substitutes for standing on a campus and talking to people. For first-generation students and their families, the campus visit is where the real decision gets made. On a visit, you’ll see the classrooms and labs, meet the faculty who teach the programs you’re considering, talk with current students about their actual experience, and sit down with an admissions counselor who can walk through what your specific application would look like.

The uncomfortable questions are the ones to push on. How many students in this program graduated? How many got jobs within a year of graduating? What is the average out-of-pocket cost for a family like mine after financial aid? What happens if I need to withdraw, take a leave, or change majors? What kind of support is available if I’m the first person in my family to attend? Any school that answers those questions clearly and honestly is a school worth considering. Any school that deflects, gives generic marketing answers, or won’t discuss actual costs should be a warning sign. At 91³Ô¹Ï, prospective students can also  to see where recent graduates have landed or  for student stories from across every program.

Step 5: Enroll, Register for Classes, and Show Up

Once you’ve been accepted and have a financial aid package you understand, enrollment is the final active step before the semester starts. At most schools, enrolling means submitting a deposit (waived at some institutions, including many community colleges), completing any required placement assessments, attending a new student orientation, and registering for your first semester’s classes with an academic advisor. This is the step where first-generation students most commonly feel overwhelmed, because a lot of things happen in a short window between acceptance and the first day of class.

The single most useful thing a family can do at this stage is stay in contact with the school’s admissions, financial aid, and academic advising teams. First-generation students sometimes assume they’re supposed to figure everything out on their own and that asking questions signals they don’t belong — the opposite is true. Admissions counselors, financial aid advisors, and academic advisors exist specifically to help students who don’t have a road map yet. At 91³Ô¹Ï, that kind of one-on-one support is not a special program for select students — it’s how the college works with every family.

What Makes 91³Ô¹Ï First-Generation-Friendly

A few things worth naming for families considering 91³Ô¹Ï specifically. 91³Ô¹Ï has open enrollment, which means no entrance exam, no waitlist, and no SAT required for admission to the college — students who apply and meet the basic eligibility requirements are accepted. (A small number of selective-admissions programs — Nursing ASN, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Surgical Technology, and the Sonography programs (Cardiac and Diagnostic Medical) — have program-specific entry requirements beyond open enrollment; see each program page for details.) The college offers more than 80 programs across associate degrees, certificates, and bachelor’s tracks, with options ranging from healthcare and public safety to trades, business, and technology. 91³Ô¹Ï has ten campuses across Pennsylvania, plus online options. 95% of students receive financial aid. And the Student Financial Services team treats every student as a custom funding plan rather than a standard package.

For first-generation students, the combination of open enrollment, small class sizes, hands-on faculty access, and 80+ career-focused programs means the gap between “I’m interested in college” and “I’m enrolled and starting classes” is shorter and easier to navigate than at most four-year universities. This is the kind of school the application process was designed for.

Key Takeaway: Open enrollment, a free direct application, no SAT requirement for general admission, 95% financial aid, and one-on-one support from admissions and financial aid staff make the path from “I want to apply” to “I’m registered for classes” significantly shorter at 91³Ô¹Ï than at most traditional four-year universities. Selective-admissions programs carry additional requirements — check each program page before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 91³Ô¹Ï require SAT or ACT scores?

91³Ô¹Ï’s institutional admissions are open enrollment and do not require SAT or ACT scores. Students who meet basic eligibility requirements are welcome to apply regardless of standardized test scores. A small number of selective-admissions programs — including Nursing (ASN), Occupational Therapy Assistant, Surgical Technology, and the Sonography programs (Cardiac and Diagnostic Medical) — have program-specific requirements. Check the program page for the program you’re interested in.

Is there a fee to apply to 91³Ô¹Ï?

No. 91³Ô¹Ï does not charge a fee to submit its direct application. The application is free, online, and designed to be completed without a guidance counselor walkthrough.

What if my child has a GED instead of a high school diploma?

Students with a GED are welcome to apply to 91³Ô¹Ï and many other community colleges and career-focused institutions. A GED is accepted as equivalent to a high school diploma for admission purposes. Admissions counselors can walk families through any additional documentation that may be needed.

When should we file the FAFSA?

The FAFSA for a given academic year historically opens in October of the prior fall, though recent cycles have opened later. Families are encouraged to file as soon as the FAFSA opens each year to maximize eligibility for need-based aid, some of which is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Pennsylvania residents should also file the PHEAA State Grant application separately.

What does “open enrollment” actually mean?

Open enrollment means the college accepts qualified applicants on a rolling basis without a competitive admissions process at the institutional level. There is no waitlist, no entrance exam, and no SAT requirement for general admission. Students who apply and meet the basic eligibility requirements are admitted, typically within a short turnaround time. A small number of 91³Ô¹Ï programs — Nursing (ASN), Occupational Therapy Assistant, Surgical Technology, and the Sonography programs (Cardiac and Diagnostic Medical) — operate under selective admissions with program-specific requirements (minimum GPA, entrance assessments, interviews, observation hours, or prerequisite coursework) on top of open enrollment. Check the program page for the specific program you’re interested in.

What kind of financial aid is available for first-generation students?

First-generation students are eligible for the same federal and state financial aid as other students — including federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, and Pennsylvania PHEAA State Grants for Pennsylvania residents. Many colleges, including 91³Ô¹Ï, also offer institutional scholarships and employer-partnership scholarships. At 91³Ô¹Ï, 95% of students receive financial aid, and the Student Financial Services team works with every family individually to identify every funding source available.

What should I do if I’m not sure what I want to study?

That is one of the strongest reasons to start at a career-focused two-year college. Tuition is significantly lower than at a four-year school, class sizes are smaller, and students can explore general education or pre-allied health pathways while deciding on a direction — without committing four years and six figures to a choice they aren’t yet certain about.

The Bottom Line

The college application process is not designed to be hard — it’s designed to be thorough. For first-generation students and their families, the key is knowing the steps in advance, filing the FAFSA and PHEAA applications early, visiting the campus before committing, and asking the uncomfortable questions about cost and outcomes. The right school will welcome those questions, and the right school will have people ready to answer them. If 91³Ô¹Ï sounds like a possible fit, the next step is simple: request information, schedule a visit, and talk directly with an admissions counselor. Being the first in your family to attend college doesn’t mean you’re behind — it means you’re ahead of where your family started. And that’s worth the effort of filling out the application.

Educational Disclaimer

91³Ô¹Ï is a regionally accredited, non-profit institution of higher education. Financial aid eligibility, admissions requirements, and program availability vary and are subject to change, so families are encouraged to speak directly with a 91³Ô¹Ï admissions counselor and review the most current information at lackawanna.edu before making enrollment decisions. Completion of any program does not guarantee employment or a specific outcome. 91³Ô¹Ï does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, or any other protected class in admission or access to its educational programs, and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.