Postsecondary access and success for first-generation college students

Abstract

A college education is considered the key to achieving economic success and social mobility in American society. Higher levels of educational attainment are related to higher incomes and lower rates of unemployment, and the earnings gap between high school and college graduates only widens over time. While access to higher education has expanded dramatically in recent years, students whose parents did not go to college remain at a distinct disadvantage. First-generation college students, most of whom come from low-income and minority backgrounds, face a number of challenges - from poor academic preparation to inadequate finances to a lack of support from peers or family members - that make it more difficult for them not only to get into college but also to get through it. This article will review recent research on first-generation college students, focusing on the demographic and educational characteristics of this population, the factors that affect their access to and success in college, and the interventions targeted toward better serving their needs in postsecondary education.