First-generation college students in the United States

First-generation college students in the United States are typically defined as college students whose parents did not complete a bachelor’s degree. While this definition seems straightforward, it does not fully capture the lived experiences behind it. For many students, being first-generation is not just about parental education level; it often represents obtaining higher-level education without inheriting knowledge about resources like financial aid, academic systems, networking, or campus culture.

Research consistently shows that earning a bachelor’s degree increases opportunities for socioeconomic mobility in the United States (Pew Research, 2014). However, first- generation students often face structural barriers that make the path to it more difficult. These barriers include limited financial resources, lack of institutional guidance, work and family responsibilities, and systemic inequalities tied to race and class (Engle & Tinto, 2008; Catalina et al., 2018).