How do first-generation students celebrate?

Host a breakfast, luncheon, or snack break for first-generation students to celebrate their success. Invite first-generation leaders, faculty, and staff to attend. Partner with campus offices, bookstores, local eateries, and gas stations to add gift card raffles to your celebration events.

What percentage of first-generation students are minorities?

Black students represented 14 percent of first-generation college students, compared to 11 percent of continuing- generation college students, and Hispanic students represented 27 percent of first-generation college students, compared to 9 percent of continuing-generation students.

What are the challenges of being a first generation college student?

Perceived as different at home and different at school, first-generation college students often feel like they don’t belong in either place. The challenge of higher education is to recognize the psychological impact that first-generation status has on its students and to provide help.

Why are so many first generation college students dropping out?

Four times as many first-generation college students will drop out of college compared to their peers with at least one parent who pursued higher education. Leaving family behind to attend college far from home isn’t easy for any freshman student, but for first-generation students, homesickness and loneliness are often intermingled with guilt.

Why are so many first generation college students invisible?

As a result, some first-generation college students may choose to remain invisible. Once they identify themselves, they run the risk of their academic ability, achievement, and performance being underestimated by others. Their background is viewed as a deficit rather than a strength.

What to look for on first generation college application?

One of the favorite checkmarks on college applications for admissions directors to see is “first-generation college student.”