Supporting First-Generation College Families

In recent years, many employers have recognized the value of supporting employee families through meaningful benefits. What were once niche offerings—such as fertility support, family planning, and childcare—have become essential for competitive employers seeking to attract and retain top talent. Yet, there’s still a gap in benefits for employees with teens, who face the unique challenge of planning for their child’s future in an uncertain world.

This was exactly the experience of Elsha, a receptionist at a financial services firm, and her daughter, Sophia, as they navigated the path to college with the help of Empowerly for Employers. Their story highlights how one company’s investment in college counseling made a lasting difference for both an employee and her child.

Elsha had always imagined a bright future for Sophia. She’d once had dreams of going to college herself, but when she became pregnant with Sophia, she put those plans on hold to focus on raising her daughter. Working as a receptionist, Elsha enjoyed her job but hoped her daughter would have the opportunity for higher education. However, the college application process was unfamiliar territory, and it quickly became clear that understanding how to approach it would be a challenge.

As Sophia entered high school, it was clear she was a strong student, determined to reach college. But navigating the college admissions process without prior experience was overwhelming. Many families share similar challenges, but for families like Elsha’s, the difficulties were compounded by a lack of what’s sometimes called “dinner table knowledge.” Without the college experience in her own background, Elsha had unanswered questions about finding the right schools, the cost of tuition, financial aid, and how to prevent student debt from burdening Sophia’s future.

Sophia attended an under-resourced public high school, where the student-to-counselor ratio made it difficult for her to access one-on-one guidance. With only one counselor for every 400+ students, finding answers to complex college questions wasn’t easy. Combined, these barriers often meant Sophia’s only chance at navigating college planning successfully would come through an outside source.

Elsha’s company had recently introduced Empowerly for Employers, a college counseling benefit that offered employees with children like Sophia dedicated support through the college admissions process. Hearing about this benefit was a turning point for Elsha and Sophia. For them, this wasn’t just about receiving advice; it was a path to realizing Sophia’s college dream and reducing the stress that had become part of their daily lives.

Starting in ninth grade, Sophia began working with an Empowerly counselor to create a personalized plan for her college journey. Her counselor guided her through each phase of high school, helping her prioritize activities, build her college application, and map out steps that would work with her family’s financial situation.

With limited resources, it was crucial for Elsha and Sophia to find a path to college that wouldn’t result in unmanageable debt. Empowerly helped them create a financial strategy that went beyond basic advice, addressing Elsha’s concerns about affordability and student debt.

Empowerly’s guidance included:

1. Selecting the Right Colleges: Sophia’s counselor helped her choose a list of colleges that would not only support her academic goals but also offer strong financial aid programs.
2. Balancing the College List: They built a balanced list of schools, including target and safety options that aligned with their budget.
3. Mapping Out Finances: Empowerly provided practical steps for understanding college costs and helped Elsha see how each financial decision could affect their future.
4. Guiding Them Through FAFSA: Decoding the FAFSA can be daunting, but Empowerly’s team provided a thorough explanation, ensuring Elsha and Sophia understood each part of the process.
5. Scholarship and Grant Searches: Empowerly taught Sophia how to research and apply for scholarships that matched her background and goals, from national awards to smaller local scholarships.

Altogether, these steps helped alleviate some of Elsha’s biggest concerns and turned college from a vague possibility into a structured plan.

With Empowerly’s support, Sophia gained not only information but also confidence. She could focus on the activities and experiences that mattered most for her applications, strengthening her profile and honing in on her future goals. By her senior year, Sophia was prepared to apply to a range of colleges, each chosen with her academic and financial needs in mind.

Sophia’s applications resulted in admission offers from her top three schools, and she eventually decided on Duke University, where she received a significant scholarship and financial aid package. This success wasn’t just an achievement for Sophia—it was a relief for Elsha, who saw a brighter future for her daughter, unburdened by the fear of overwhelming debt.

For Elsha, the Empowerly benefit was much more than a service; it was an invaluable resource that empowered her family. When companies offer benefits like Empowerly, they show their commitment to the well-being of employees and their families, creating a sense of loyalty and belonging that strengthens the entire workplace.

Here’s why a college counseling benefit like Empowerly makes a lasting difference:

• Equitable Access to Opportunity: Empowerly offers resources to students from all backgrounds, creating a level playing field for families who might lack access to college planning guidance.
• Supporting Families’ Financial Well-being: The financial planning support offered by Empowerly helps families avoid overwhelming student debt, reducing long-term stress.
• Demonstrating Values Through Action: By providing Empowerly, companies signal that they value family well-being, education, and a path to a promising future for every employee’s child.

Elsha’s employer didn’t just offer a benefit; they provided a path to higher education for a dedicated student. Through Empowerly, Elsha’s company supported a parent’s dream and a student’s potential, building a legacy of support that goes beyond the workplace. This type of benefit is powerful for companies looking to build a positive culture, rooted in values like equity, support for families, and commitment to employees’ overall well-being.

When benefits leaders consider adding programs like Empowerly, they’re not just investing in a service—they’re investing in lives, opportunities, and futures.

In a world where the college admissions process can be complex and overwhelming, a benefit like Empowerly provides families with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to guide their children toward success. This isn’t just about helping students get into college; it’s about helping them access opportunities that can change their lives.

When employers provide this type of benefit, they’re not only supporting their workforce but also shaping a future where all employees feel valued, knowing their families are cared for and their children’s dreams are within reach.