First Generation College Students

First Generation College Students

Elizabeth Godwin

Terms to keep in mind

• First Generation Student - A student whos parents did not receive a bachelors degree or higher

• Generational Student - A student who's parents did receive a bachelors degree or higher.

Background

• In 2015 35% of undergraduate students were the first in their families to go to college.

• At least 26% of these students had parents with at least some college experience but not a bachelors degree.

Poll

What percentage of first generation students have a dependent (Child/spouse)?

• 28%

• 34%

• 60%

• 10%

Demographic

• 28% of white students are first generation

• 42% of black students and 48% of Latinx students are first generation

• English is not the first language of 20% of first generation students.

• 27% of first generation students come from households making less than $20,000 per year, and nearly half of first generation students are considered low income.

• 34% of first generation students were over the age of 30 vs. 17% of Generational college students are over 30

Poll

What percentage of first generation students that take the ACT meet college readiness benchmarks?

• 40%

• 65%

• 10%

• 5%

Access

• 80% of first generation ACT test takers aspire to earn a bachelors degree

• Of students that take the ACT there is a 20% point difference for each subject area between first-generation test takers and all test takers.

• Among first generation test takers, those who enrolled in the core high school curriculum or more outperformed their peers who did not.

Poll

What percentage of first generation students start at a community college or two-year-institution?

• 75%

• 62%

• 30%

• 53%

Enrollment

• 48% of First Generation students attended college part-time

• 8% are enrolled in distance learning programs

• 18% of first-generation students enrolled in for-profit institutions. 50% of students enrolled in a for-profit institution are first-generation students. Similar to ivy league

Experiences

• Completed fewer credit hours compared to peer

• Studied fewer hours

• Worked more hours

• less likely to participate

• Less likely to perceive that faculty were concerned about students and teaching

• Typically have harder time understanding and receiving information

• Many first generation students have less influential collegiate experience and cognitave growth

Poll

What percentage of low income first generation students will have a college degree within six years of enrolling?

• 4%

• 26%

• 50%

• 11%

Recommendations

• Provide first generation students with mentors and offer noncompetitive opportunities for social and academic engagement . Linked to retention.

Programs at Iowa State

• College Bound

• Gear up

• Early Outreach Program

• First Generation Scholarship