College and Career Planning for

First Generation
College Students
Presented by: Karla & Kendra
Video
 Background
● First generation college student is “(a) an individual both of whose parents did not complete a
baccalaureate degree; or (b) in the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received
support from only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a
baccalaureate degree.” (Higher Education Act of 1965, 2008, p. 9)
● The proportion of 1st-generation college students has declined since the 1970s (Banks-Santilli, 2014).
● Only 1 in 6 undergraduate freshman are first-generation college students at a four-year university.
● Although the stories are different, they share characteristics such as
○ Struggle academically
○ Attain lower grades
○ Work more
○ Limited financial resources
○ Attend lower-quality high schools
 Statistics
➔ According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 34% of all
undergraduate students were the first in their families to go to college
➔ First-generation students are more likely to attend two-year institutions
than their peers
➔ First-generation students are more likely to enroll in for-profit
institutions than their peers
➔ English in not a first language for 20% of first generation students
➔ First-generation students are more likely to take remedial classes
➔ Average SAT and ACT scores have been reported to be lower
Statistics
➔ First-generation students demonstrated lower rates of college
readiness in key academic areas compared to their non-first generation
peers
● This puts them at a higher risk of failing out of college
➔ First-generation students had a lower median household income and
more unmet financial need compared to students whose parents
attended college
➔ First-generation students are borrowing from the federal government
at increasing rates to pay for their college education
● 22% increase in the past 15 years
 Career Counseling Issues
● Because students attend schools that do not have the best quality of education , first
generation college students score lower on SAT and ACTs.
● Lack financial knowledge such as, knowing about tuition prices, financial aid, living
expenses, etc can cause them to be unprepared for the financial rigor.
● Students choose universities that are not affordable and do not meet their
educational needs.
● Parents do not have the knowledge nor experience about college.
Optimal Counseling Lessons
 TIER 1: All Students
Host workshops for filling out college and financial aid applications
Emphasize FAFSA and DREAM Act
Seek out universities that do not require DACA entry and are welcoming of undocumented students
Meet with 9th grade students to discuss whether they want to attend community college or a 4 year university
Create workshops that both parents attend that can include a Q & A with a college rep., educating them about
admissions, etc.

TIER 2: Students that have no family support or feel inadequate

Groups!---> early session should present students with information about
scholarships and financial aid opportunities
Q&A with Guest Speakers that are in college and are/were 1st Generation college
student
Enroll them in college support programs such as AVID

TIER 3: Low SES + Parents Against It

Identify the family need and make appropriate referrals
Educate parents about financial aid, scholarships and CCs
Create a mentorship program
Be welcoming and inclusive
College Support Programs

-AVID
-GEAR Up Program
-Talent Search

-Upward Bound

-Summer Bridge Programs

 References
Hutchins, K., Deffendall, M., & Peabody, M. (2011). Supporting first generation college students. Kentucky
Journal of Higher Education. 1(4), 2-12.
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. (2020). Center for first-generation student
success. Retrieved from:
https://firstgen.naspa.org/research-and-policy/national-data-fact-sheets-on-first-generation-colle
ge-students/national-data-fact-sheets
The Postsecondary National Policy Institute. (2020). Retrieved from:
https://pnpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/First-Generation-Students_August2020.pdf
Stephens, N.M., Fryberg, S.A., Rose Markus, H., Johnson, C.S. & Covarrubias, R. (2012). Unseen
disadvantage: How American universities’ focus on independence undermines the academic
performance of first-generation college students. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102
(6), 1178-1197.