By: Claire Dahlman

Roughly 30% of entering freshmen in the US are first generation college students, and 24% (4.5 million) are both first generation and low income.

Definition of First Generation Student Students whose parents have attained neither a bachelors or associates degree

The Statistics Nearly 1 in 6 freshmen in 4 year institutions are first generation 36% of minority students are first generation First generation students have a 71% higher risk of attrition than students with college educated parents First generation students are 51% less likely to graduate in four years than 2 nd generation students 57% of first generation students are female.

First Generation Students Typically… Don’t know all their options Have fears about going to college Have misconceptions about the cost of college, fear or resistance to borrowing, are uninformed about scholarships, and may need to “pay as they go” Have less parent involvement during the college application process Struggle with the feeling that they don’t belong on campus. Live off campus or with family or relatives Are motivated to enroll in college as a deliberate attempt to improve their social, economic, and occupational standing

Definition of Low-Income Students whose family income does not exceed 150% of the poverty level Persons in family/household Poverty guideline 1$11, , , , , , , ,890 For families/households with more than 8 persons add $3,960 for each additional person

The Statistics 2/3 of low income students are first generation students 23% of low income students have been found to work full time while enrolled in college Are 49% more likely to drop out during their 1 st year then middle or upper class students Of students who performed in the top third on standardized tests, low income students were 5 times more likely to skip college than high income students Only 36% of college-qualified low income students complete bachelor’s degrees within 8 ½ years, compared with 81% of high income students

Low Income Students Typically… Are less likely to enroll in college right after high school Are the least likely to locate and complete financial aid paperwork A majority of students with low incomes but high academic ability never apply to a single competitive college. Are unaware of how much need-based aid is available or are intimated by the process of applying for federal student aid

First generation and low income students are more likely to… Encounter academic, financial, professional, cultural, and emotional difficulties Lack reading, writing, and oral communication skills Be non-traditionally aged (over the age of 24) Be married, have dependents and work more hours off campus Have lower pre-college critical thinking levels, lower SAT scores and lower high school grade point averages Feel less welcomed on campus Leave higher education after the first year then students who had neither of these risk factors

Needs: Interventions must ease the difficulties of the transition to college and help to create a more supportive, welcoming campus environment as well as promote the development of supportive social communities with a strong academic focus. It is necessary for students to develop a sense of security and feeling academically competent while promoting connections with student activities and support services at the same time as connections with majors, academic disciplines and with faculty.

What can be done? Key components of successful programs: These must be on going! Assist in understanding institutional fit, including college tours, and discussions on what college is like Special help with college searches, selections, applications, and financial aid Involve the family Individualized attention and providing additional support and structure A strong advising process throughout freshmen and sophomore year Additional tutoring, mentoring, and study skills classes Provide adult role models Facilitate peer support Provide strategically timed interventions

Where are they? First generation students tend to be more concentrated in 2 year college programs or begin at a community college. Low income students are 4 times more likely to enroll in for profit colleges

What is missing? Updated information! Most significant research is more then 10 years old. Statistics on successful programs and strategies More high school to college transitional and collaborative programs

Works Cited Collins, Kathleen (2012) First Generation Students retrieved from Jaschik, Scott (2012) Study says many highly talented low-income students never apply to top colleges retrieved from income-students-never-apply-top-collegeshttp:// income-students-never-apply-top-colleges Heinz Housel, Teresa. (2012) First Generation Focus retrieved from Lederman, Doug. (2011) Where Low-Income Student Go to College retrieved from Lederman, Doug. (2007) Lifeline to Low-Income Students retrieved from Thayer, Paul B. (2000) Retention of Students From First Generation and Low Income Backgrounds retrieved from Tym, McMillion, Barone & Webster (2004) First Generation College Students: A Literature Review retrieved from

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