Commentary: The Importance of Investing in First-Generation Students

This year on Nov. 8, colleges across the country are celebrating first-generation students as a part of National First-Generation College Celebration Day. This date is the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which provided funding for programs to increase access, admission, retention, persistence and graduation of first-generation and low-income students attending institutions of higher education (IHE).

November 6, 2023

The Greeley Tribune | Nov. 5, 2023
— written by Cedric Howard

Cedric Howard

As a college administrator and first-generation college graduate, I have first-hand experience of how higher education can become a catalyst for promoting social mobility. When low-income, first-generation students attain a college degree, they are five times more likely to move out of poverty. Additionally, people with a bachelor’s degree earn nearly double what high school graduates make over a 40-year career and experience lower unemployment rates. It's an investment that not only changes the trajectory of students’ lives but also transforms their families and communities.

But the path to a college degree can be particularly onerous for first-generation students because historically, postsecondary education opportunities have been limited for certain ethnic and racial populations and those of lower socioeconomic status. This means IHEs must be innovative in their approach to creating systems that welcome and support these students to ensure they can take advantage of the opportunities higher education offers — a clear pathway to explore themselves and their interests, expand their social and cultural experiences and build a more promising career path.

Over half (56%) of all postsecondary students in the U.S. have parents who do not hold a bachelor’s degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics and the Center for First-Generation Student Success Initiative at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, these students face unique barriers:

First-generation college students are more likely to come from low-income or minority backgrounds and to be parents, caregivers, veterans or first-generation Americans.
Twenty-eight percent of first-generation students are 30 or older.
Forty-six percent of first-generation undergraduate college students participate in extracurricular clubs, compared to 65% of continuing-generation students.
Fewer first-generation college students hold formal leadership roles, conduct research projects with faculty members, complete paid internships and study abroad than continuing-generation college students.

At UNC, over 80% of our undergraduate, degree-seeking students are from right here in Colorado, 42% of them identify as first-generation and 19% of them identify as both first-generation and low-income. As a students-first university, we are deeply committed to investing in the success of these students. For example, we recently launched two initiatives aimed at lowering barriers to enrollment and easing the financial burden for students so they can persist in their education and ultimately earn a college degree.

Our Colorado First-Year Admission Guarantee program, the only one in the state, provides a clear set of expectations for first-year students to expedite the enrollment process for them. The value of clear admission procedures is that it increases transparency in college admissions processes for students and their families and is critical for promoting college as a viable next destination.
Our Financial Aid Optimization program provides award information early and includes helpful information for students and families on how to pay for college. Our financial aid awarding model addresses equity gaps, recognizing that many of our students with the highest financial need also identify as first-generation.

Financial concerns are one of the biggest barriers preventing first-generation students from persisting in their college education. Our students are fortunate to also have the commitment of generous donors. We solicit, receive and award hundreds of scholarships every year, many that go specifically to first-generation students, that provide support in a myriad of ways.

On Nov. 8, we invite everyone to celebrate Colorado’s first-generation college students and the next generation of teachers, artists, nurses, business leaders and all other professionals. By investing in the lives of these students, we are transforming our communities and cultivating the leaders of tomorrow.

Cedric Howard is the vice president of the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services. A seasoned administrator with over 25 years of experience, he has been recognized for his efforts to prioritize student achievement in higher education.