Episode 91: The Trials of First Generation College Students

The provided sources examine the challenges faced by first-generation college students (FGCS) in the United States, with a particular focus on the complexities of financial aid and its impact on access to higher education. It also investigates the financial aid process and borrowing outcomes among FGCS and their non-first-generation counterparts, revealing that FGCS are more likely to apply for aid, borrow money, and take on larger loans. The fifth source examines the relationship between classism, race, and social-emotional experiences of FGCS, emphasizing the importance of intersectionality in understanding the unique challenges faced by FGCS from different racial backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. Finally, the sixth source proposes a conceptual framework for reconceptualizing college access and financial aid at the state level, highlighting the need for more comprehensive models that account for different forms of aid, sectors of enrollment, and time since high school graduation.