As many higher education institutions shift admission practices to reflect a more economically, socially, and culturally diverse student body- first generation college students are making their way beyond acceptance letters and into more lecture halls across the nation. Supporting first generation college students requires a foundational understanding of who these students are and what barriers they face. Here’s how.
Adjusting admission practices to become more inclusive is a promising start toward providing equitable opportunities to our nation’s youth. Influx of first generation students means higher education institutions must address challenges that can impede their success in college. Let’s take a look at how to create a supportive environment to support academic success.
Who Are Our First Generation College Students?
Supporting first generation college students requires a foundational understanding of who these students are and what barriers they face. As well as willingness to embrace practices to ensure they receive essential reinforcements to persist and graduate with their peers.
While there are diverse interpretations of “first generation,” OREG defines it as undergraduates whose parents do not possess at least an associate’s degree. In contrast, continuing generation students are undergraduates whose parents have either a bachelor’s degree or postsecondary degree.
Supporting first generation college students means understanding the disadvantages they contend with before stepping foot on campus. Without the experienced hand of a guardian to guide students through the complex but necessary processes associated with college admissions, enrollment, finance, study habits, and achievement, these students are at a disadvantage from the start.
Why Invest in Supporting First Generation College Students?
These students now account for more than 56% of our nation’s incoming first-year students and now make up the majority of our student demographic. Higher education institutions must re-evaluate their support systems to better meet the needs of this population. In addition to the challenges of being the first in their families to attend college, many first generation students may not fit the stereotypical profile of a college student.
For example, they may be older than traditional students, work full-time while attending school, or have dependents. It can be difficult for these students to find the time and resources needed to succeed in college with all of these extra responsibilities.
What Unique Barriers Do First Generation College Students Face?
Lack of academic preparation
One of the most significant barriers that first generation students face is a lack of academic preparation. Although many first generation college students may apply to college with solid GPAs, this offers no guarantee that the rigor of their high school coursework offered anything near the level of difficulty they will encounter in college. Their foundational study habits often require development as well.
As a result, students may pay a semester or more of tuition costs to take remedial coursework, and these classes rarely provide credits that can be applied to graduation requirements.
In their first year of enrollment, less than 6% of first generation students complete any advanced-level college math course such as calculus compared to 18% of their continuing-generation peers, demonstrating a severe gap in academic readiness. This gap can be costly in terms of tuition and the likelihood of matriculation. The financial investment required on behalf of first generation college students is higher than their continuing generation peers for this reason alone.
This lack of preparedness can be due to many factors, such as attending high schools with lower-quality resources, having less experienced teachers, or access to fewer AP/Honors classes. When it comes to supporting first generation college students on campus, leaders must consider these academic deficits and address them as a priority in the student’s first semester.
Financial disadvantages
First-generation students also face significant financial barriers. They are less likely to have the same access to financial resources and support as their wealthier peers. One study suggests that while continuing generation students report a parental income of over $90,000 on average, first generation students typically report a mere $41,000.
Obvious difficulties result from a lack of monetary resources, including covering the cost of tuition and housing, but there are other invisible costs. Less financial resources can also mean trouble affording:
- books and supplies.
- dues associated with student organizations and social networks.
- necessities such as food and personal hygiene products.
Proactively Supporting First Generation College Students to Improve Outcomes
Designing programs and policies to help first generation students succeed is no longer optional for higher education institutions that wish to stay competitive — it’s a necessity.
There are many ways in which universities can support the success of first generation college students, and implementing these supports will end up saving institutions far more than they cost upfront.
Offer Wrap-Around Support Systems.
While most first generation college students rely heavily on loans and grants to afford housing and tuition, these resources are often not enough to meet their essential needs. These students frequently support their parents, siblings, or dependents, so providing resources for maintaining self-care is critical.
Consider offering the following to support a more economically diverse student body:
- Access to healthcare
- Mental health resources
- Food pantries
- Free toiletries
- Low-cost textbooks
- Career clothing bank
Comprehensive College Orientation Programing
Supporting first generation college students means addressing gaps in knowledge well before the semester kicks off in the fall. While some things may strike high education leaders as no-brainers, the reality is that many first generation college students are unaware of how college practices differ from those in a high school.
For example, a targeted orientation should provide comprehensive information about social and academic expectations and resources around campus. In addition, this time should also be spent familiarizing students with the layout of the campus, the basics of a campus housing lifestyle, and developing good habits around studying and self-care.
By implementing a comprehensive orientation that includes a curriculum on navigating college life, institutions can prevent students from making incorrect assumptions that lead to easily avoidable and costly mistakes.
Provide Strong Academic Support Systems
To address the achievement gap, colleges and universities must provide additional academic support for first generation students. This can take several different forms, but some key components include:
- Developmental education classes with a focus on bringing students up to college level in writing, math, and critical thinking skills.
- Supplemental instruction that provides drop-in help outside of class time
- Tutoring services that are easily accessible and affordable.
- Technology resources, including laptops or hotspots, for students who cannot afford them independently.
- Flexible course schedules that account for the fact that many first generation students must work to support themselves or their families.
- Develop living and learning communities in campus housing.
Ensure First Generation College Students Feel Like They Belong
One of the most important things that colleges and universities can do to improve first-generation students’ outcomes is to ensure that they feel like they belong on campus. This includes everything from providing social support to increasing diversity among faculty and staff.
Some ways to make first-generation students feel like they belong include:
- Creating or expanding affinity groups for first generation college students.
- Making space for first generation student voices in campus publications.
- Offering training for faculty and staff on supporting first-generation college students — a highly effective must.
- Hiring and engaging more diverse faculty and staff and LLCs on campus that are focused on supporting first generation students.
How You Can Start Supporting First Generation College Students Today
While these are only a few suggestions for how colleges and universities can support first generation students, they provide a good starting point for those who want to make a difference. Today’s student demographic requires higher education institutions to step up and support first generation students who are most likely to face challenges in achieving their long term academic, financial, and professional goals.
At Oracle Real Estate Group, we provide expert advisory services to colleges and universities that want to create inclusive environments for all of their students. We can help you assess your current programs and offerings, make recommendations for change, and implement new initiatives.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you support first-generation college students.