The paper discusses the problem of deprivation and its specific features in first-year college students undergoing a change of cultural/educational environment. The notion of «cultural/educational environment of a higher education institution» is proposed. The phenomenon of deprivation in educational process in students is described. The results of a comparative study of deprivation, adaptation, frustration, coping strategies and defense mechanisms in first-year student graduates from city and village schools are presented. The psychological and pedagogical conditions facilitating the overcoming of deprivation in students are pointed out. Measures are proposed and guidelines given for organizing a psychological service to assist the overcoming of deprivation in students of a higher educational institution. The results of a formative experiment are presented.