Your child will be the first in your family to attend college! You have every right to beam with pride. Think of all the chances you didn’t have that will come as a result—greater job opportunities, a larger salary (on average, during an adult’s working life, high school graduates earn $1.2 million, while college graduates earn $2.1 million) and exposure to new people, places and experiences. Sending a child off to school is a big and emotional step that comes with its hurdles. You may be asking yourself, “How can I help my child if I never went to college?” Rest assured that there is plenty you can do to help your first-generation college student:

Be confident that your child is good enough. Going to college may seem like an opportunity for the privileged. But realize that every person, regardless of where they live, how much money they have or their cultural background, deserves an education. Having the will to work hard along with a strong foundation at home is certainly helpful. Be inspired by how other first-timers are handling it.

Be aware of the pressure. As the first to go to college, your child may take on unnecessary stress to be the role model of the family. Provide encouragement without turning college into a burden or an obligation. Rally the support of all family members, especially those who may disapprove of the path your child is taking. Negative feelings could encourage rebellious behavior or a desire to quit.

It’s a team effort. Don’t be afraid to get involved. Answers to any questions you have about financial aid, the application process, on-campus housing and more are available online or directly from the college. Learn about how to pay for college. Also, look into freshman orientation programs, academic counseling, tutoring and other on-campus services that may help with the transition.

Expect change. Whether your child goes away to school or stays close by, the distractions of schoolwork and a new social life may become a priority over usual family activities. Doing well in college requires a time commitment that can be heavy at times.

Prepare for the financial sacrifice. Books, supplies, activities and various other expenses can add up. At times even financial aid can fall short and some of the financial burden may fall to you. Your child may be able to work part-time while going to school, but that money will probably be needed for college related expenses. Come up with a plan for how the family will handle the shortage of funds. Read our tips for Balancing Work and School.

Beat the odds. Studies have shown that first-generation college students have a higher dropout rate and are less likely to graduate in four years compared with students of college-educated parents. Help your first-generation college student succeed in college and be the exception.