Pushing the Boulder Uphill: The Persistence of First-Generation College Students

Abstract

This study examined the impact of background, aspirations, achievement, college experiences, and price on the persistence of first-generation (F-gen) and continuing generation (C-gen) college students at 4-year institutions using the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study of 1995–96 (n = 24,262). We found differences between the two groups on the effect size for almost all of the significant variables. F-gen students were more sensitive to financial aid and averse to student loans than their peers. However, even variables such as high income, high test score, and high grade point average, which similar studies have found to be significant and positively associated with persistence, did not influence the persistence of F-gen students in this study.

First Generation College Students: Motivations and Support Systems

“…Rising tuition has created bigger obstacles for students, especially those charged with financing their own education. Other researchers (Lohfink & Paulsen, 2005;Somers, Woodhouse, & Cofer, 2004) found that increases in financial aid improved the likelihood that first generation students will persist in college, but increases in loan debt make it much more likely that they will depart without graduating.…”

Assessing the Relationships Between Perceived Support From Close Others, Goal Commitment, and Persistence Decisions at the College Level

“…Thus, additional research should consider including students at different stages of their college career (e.g., transfer students) to determine if subsequent support from family has a different impact on graduation goals. Another characteristic of the sample to consider is many of the students included were first-generation college students, and there has been mixed findings on how firstgeneration status affects student persistence (e.g., Duggan, 2001;Somers, Woodhouse, & Cofer, 2004). Using institutional data Ishitani (2003) discovered a higher risk of departure among first-generation students in their first year of college.…”

Finding success in the third semester of college : an interpretive phenomenological analysis

“…Financial aid is a constant worry for first-generation college students (Bui, 2002) and so increasing the availability of financial aid for first-generation college students could help alleviate some of the concerns and pressures they face. In order to help retain first-generation college students, financial aid is crucial (Somers, Woodhouse, & Cofer 2004). Somers, Woodhouse, and Cofer (2004) identify two reasons why the study of firstgeneration college students and federal financial aid is important for success.…”

“…In order to help retain first-generation college students, financial aid is crucial (Somers, Woodhouse, & Cofer 2004). Somers, Woodhouse, and Cofer (2004) identify two reasons why the study of firstgeneration college students and federal financial aid is important for success. First, there has been a shift from federal grants to student loans as the main source of financial aid.…”