ABSTRACT
Emerging adults transitioning into college often face simultaneous social, emotional, academic, and cultural adjustments. First-generation students often have lower family income, lower graduation rates, and lower levels of academic preparation report less support and encouragement from family to attend college; and often need to be employed to pay for educational costs. Low-socioeconomic status (SES), first-generation college students are at greater risk for dropping out of both high school and college when compared to their high-SES peers whose parents have completed a college degree. While first-generation college students may manage to conquer barriers and enroll in college, once there, they often struggle to access beneficial social capital on campus. Many low-SES, first-generation college students begin their educational journey at community colleges. While income and first-generation status clearly influence student outcomes, additional factors such as race and gender also play an important role.
