First-Generation Students' Academic Impact

Abstract

Abstract Background: First-generation students graduate at an alarmingly lower rate than their white counterparts; only 11% of Hispanic Americans receive a Bachelor's degree. Objective: This study aims to identify how familial support impacts first-generation students, including how being a first-generation student impacts your academic trajectory? Design and Method: This research is qualitative and descriptive in design and examines the relationship between familial support and its impact on first-generation students; furthermore, I associated this relationship with the Academic trajectory of a first-generation student. I specifically zeroed in on first-generation students of color. The basis of the research focuses on familial support and its impact on both academic motivation and trajectory. I defined motivation as an action overcoming adversity, such as persistence and resilience. This study is based on information gathered in the 21st century. Results: Overall, the results collected from multiple studies were inconclusive. While all studies agreed that familial support played a role in first-generation students, the extent of that impact is unpredictable. In addition, the number of independent variables causes significant discrepancies in outcomes. Conclusion: First-generation students encounter a lower perceived level of family support, a lower level of importance placed on college by parents, and less knowledge of the college environment and campus values among parents (McConnell, 2000; Terenzini et al., 1996; YorkAnderson & Bowman, 1991 as cited in Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron; Inkelas, Karen Kurotsuchi, 2006 ). The findings support the contention that first-generation students must navigate intersecting sites of oppression based on race, class, and gender that may impact their academic trajectory. For example, being a first-generation Hispanic student, a lower-income student or a first-generation female student made persistence more problematic. Keywords: First-generation college students, Latino Students, First to go to college, Motivation, Resilience, Impact, Undergraduate First-generation.