Low-income, first-generation college students represent more than 25% of undergraduate students at four-year institutions today, but only 11% of these students earns their degree in six years. Looking at these statistics, it is little wonder that schools are focused on improving the experience and outcomes for this population. There have been some successful efforts made to address the needs of these students, but they tend to serve only a small number of students, and prove difficult to scale to greater impact.
The 17 tactics outlined in this toolkit fall into one of the four categories. You can either download the full toolkit or each tool individually.
This resource is part of the Supporting First-Generation College Students Roadmap. Access the Roadmap for stepwise guidance with additional tools and research.
Section 1: Empowering students to better navigate the college experienceUnfamiliarity with higher education can pose a range of challenges for first generation college students, as they navigate unfamiliar and complex outreach, expectations, and structures, as well as adjust to life on campus. The following tools provide resources to support first generation college students throughout their initial transition to campus.
Tactic 1: Dedicated Getting Started GuideFirst-generation college students are inundated with information from the moment they begin their college search. It can be difficult for them to separate what is required versus optional and know where to get more information if they have questions. EAB recommends creating a guide or similar resource to help students navigate important dates, deadlines, and terminology, as well as prioritize next steps. The steps outlined in this tool will help you identify which information and…