Identifying impediments to the academic success, retention, and graduation of first-generation college students
Maria Claudia Franca, Ph.D., CCC-SLP & Otis Duncan, M.A.
Abstract
In the growing trend of persons holding a bachelor’s degree, it is estimated that one-third of students in U.S. post-secondary institutions characterize as first-generation students. That means they are the first in the household to achieve a higher education degree since their parents did not attend college. Further, first-generation students are frequently characterized as multiple challenged because of recurrent associated characteristics. Frequent aspects related to life events include a delayed college entry after high school, attending college part-time while working full-time, and living close to home thus off-campus. Additional considerations involve concerns pertaining social economic status.