The First-Generation Student Experience: Challenges and Support

By Ready WA Storyteller Carina M.

In the United States, there are numerous barriers to pursuing higher education. One barrier that often goes unrecognized comes in the form of the title “first-generation.” First-generation students face unique challenges and frequently navigate them alone, unaware of the opportunities around them. This article highlights both state and nationwide opportunities available to first-generation students while defining the term and recognizing the disadvantages they face.

What Is a “First-Generation Student”?
A “first-generation student” is defined as “an individual whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree.” This term was first introduced into law in the Higher Education Act of 1965, which sought to strengthen the educational resources of colleges and universities through providing federal funding and creating student aid programs (ex: Pell Grants & Loans). During the 2019-2020 academic year, the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) found that “63.1% of first-generation students received some form of federal Title IV financial aid in the 2019-20 academic year, compared to 52% of continuing-generation students.”

How Many Students Are First-Generation?
While in recent years, the reported percentage of first-generation students in the United States varies, many sources cite that at least about half of all undergraduates in the United States are considered first-generation. In Washington state, the statistics depend on the school. At individual universities such as Western Washington University and the University of Washington, the percentage of first-generation students is about 20-30% per school.

What Challenges Do First-Generation Students Face?
Although the challenges of first-generation students are not always the same, there are some common experiences that members of the first-generation community have identified. As the first members of their families to pursue postsecondary education, first-generation students often struggle with the financial aid process, which is crucial to the college application process. Since universities, public and private, can be pricey, a majority of students apply for financial aid to assist their college journey. Because first-generation students, by definition, have parents who did not earn a baccalaureate degree, and because those degrees typically take four years to complete, the cost of tuition can feel especially daunting. Furthermore, other first-generation students may not have access to support or guidance during the college application process at home. Instead, this lack of support at home can lead to feelings of alienation at school, or the thought that first-generation students are at a disadvantage compared to their peers. The Center for First-Generation Student Success found that 43% of first-generation students reported feeling like they didn’t fit in compared to 27% of students with college-educated parents. First-generation students face unique barriers that apply to their circumstances, so how are these barriers dismantled?

What Resources Are Available to First-Generation Students in the United States?
Despite the challenges that first-generation students face, there are countless opportunities for them in the United States. One highly regarded program open to students is the LEDA Scholars program (Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America). Created in 2003, the LEDA Scholars program has helped over 2,000 students across the 50 states, of whom 72% identify as first-generation.

Another wide-scale set of programs that help students across the nation are the TRIO programs, serving more than 880,000 students during 2024. The TRIO programs refer to eight student support programs created by the United States federal government to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue and succeed in postsecondary education. The TRIO programs include: Educational Opportunity Centers; Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement; Student Support Services; Talent Search; Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs Staff; Upward Bound; Upward Bound Math-Science; and Veterans Upward Bound. As you can see, Upward Bound is a common term and name used within the TRIO programs. So, what is Upward Bound?

Upward Bound, often abbreviated as UB, shares the same fundamental principle as all TRIO programs: it is a federally funded program that seeks to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve postsecondary success. The program typically targets students who are first-generation and low-income. Some tangible ways that Upward Bound has helped students in the past include academic support (tutoring, workshops, ACT/SAT preparation), postsecondary support (college application assistance, college transition guidance), financial assistance (free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) support, scholarship assistance, financial literacy workshops), and summer programs (academic programming, college and career visits, Bridge Program for graduating seniors). To get into the Upward Bound program, which is available to students in grades 9-12, students should contact their school counselor to find local programs and complete the forms required to join.

What Resources Are Available to First-Generation Students in Washington State?
As seen with the Upward Bound program, support for first-generation students often takes different forms. In Washington state, many universities offer resources to first-generation students through building a strong first-generation community and providing financial aid. For example, the following schools offer dedicated resources for first-generation students: the University of Washington, Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University, Washington State University, and Seattle Pacific University.

Outside of resources available to undergraduate students and high school seniors applying to college, there are very few Washington state-specific supports for first-generation students. In terms of financial aid, the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS), while not explicitly created for first-generation students, can be highly impactful. The WSOS recognizes the educational barriers many Washington residents face when trying to get a job and works to address them by offering undergraduate and graduate students financial aid, mentorship opportunities, and career training. The WSOS includes three scholarships: the Graduate Scholarship, the Career & Technical Scholarship, and the Baccalaureate Scholarship. Although each scholarship has different eligibility requirements, a core criterion is residency in Washington state. Overall, 68% of scholarship recipients are first-generation college students.

My Advice to Other First-Generation Students:
Above all, while a “one size fits all” approach cannot be applied to first-generation students, my biggest advice would be to challenge yourself, not just academically. As a naturally introverted person, I understand that it can be hard to step outside of your comfort zone, both academically and socially, but challenging myself to try new things has been extremely beneficial. For example, joining my school district’s speech and debate team was what I considered to be outside of my comfort zone, but joining with a friend laid the foundation for competing in debate. Finding the extracurriculars that suit you may take trial and error, so I encourage other first-generation students to discover what truly excites them and continue pursuing it.

In addition, I would encourage other first-generation students to step outside of their comfort zone academically. As a student who attends a high school that offers AP courses, taking different AP classes has helped me explore my interests within the classroom. Other schools may not offer AP courses, but Washington state’s Running Start program is another option that allows students to discover their interests while also earning an associate degree.

Finally, I would encourage all first-generation students to take advantage of the resources available to them within their school and their community. Teachers are often eager to help students find new opportunities. Personally, my AP United States Government and AP Chemistry teachers both shared extracurricular programs outside of my school district that helped me narrow down what I want to pursue in college. These opportunities were available to all students in their classes, but only a few took advantage of them. Exploring opportunities encouraged by teachers can be one of the easiest ways to step outside of your comfort zone, as it often takes just one simple email. Pursuing opportunities beyond your school not only opens up a whole new world but also helps develop your social network, which may support you in the future. All students can be successful, no matter their circumstances, but knowing what resources are available is the first step.

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The First-Generation Student Experience: Challenges and Support

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