University works to promote success for first-generation students

For many students, the move from high school to college is a foregone conclusion. Their parents attended college and helped guide them through applying, registering and settling in. For first-generation students, however, the transition to postsecondary education is not always as fluid.

Clare Huhn, a University of Wisconsin–Madison policy and planning analyst, completed a new study this year that takes an in-depth look at the characteristics of first-generation students at UW–Madison and the ways in which UW–Madison supports this population.

“We’re trying to provide information so that others can choose to take action whether it be through admissions, advising or elsewhere in order to better understand our students,” says Huhn.

The interest in learning more about first-generation students began several years ago, Huhn says. Today, students indicate whether they are first-generation on admissions applications, but it’s not something the university can identify prior to a student’s enrollment.

“We’re serving first-generation students in proportion to how they’re represented in the high school class, but that’s sort of an outstanding question that we would like to be able to answer. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction doesn’t collect this information yet,” says Huhn.

First-generation students comprise approximately 21 percent of the 2008 freshman class. Huhn’s study revealed that first-generation students at UW–Madison are female to a higher percentage, slightly older and more frequently come from rural Wisconsin. In addition, they are more likely to have lower grade point averages, major in a non-technical field and work while enrolled in college.

UW-Madison first-generation students often come from lower-income households as well. According to Huhn’s presentation, 49 percent of first-generation freshmen are eligible for financial aid, in contrast to 19 percent of freshmen whose parents have college degrees.

Susan Fischer, UW–Madison financial aid director, says many first-generation students qualify for FASTrack (Financial Aid Security Track) and BANNER (Badger Aid for Non-Residents), both of which guarantee to meet the needs of 800 economically disadvantaged undergraduates.

“We look for a variety of characteristics for someone who could fit into these programs and many tend to be first-generation,” says Fischer. “Unfortunately, we only have room for so many.”

Many times, financial aid is an unfamiliar area for parents who have not experienced higher education. To alleviate confusion, the financial aid department sends staff members to Wisconsin high schools each February to inform families about loans, grants and how to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“Wisconsin has a below-average proportion of adults with four-year college degrees. We’re aware that everyone doesn’t understand how to apply for aid, but the disadvantage doesn’t have to be embedded in family culture,” says Fischer. “By informing parents about financial aid, saving and planning ahead, these students can have a comfortable college experience.”

First-generation students may have other special needs while adapting to a large university environment. The TRIO Student Support Services Program at UW–Madison assists first-generation and low-income students as well as students who have physically or learning disabilities.

TRIO Interim Director Kirk Mainor says some high school coursework may not fully prepare first-generation students for their undergraduate courses at UW–Madison. “First-generation students may not have been groomed for college because their high school experience is not congruent with the university’s,” says Mainor.

“Calculus typically takes an entire year in high school but just a semester in college. So in less time there’s critical thinking questions, no study guides and heavily-weighted exams that a lot of students are used to.”

Mainor also adds that parents of first-generation students can have unreasonable expectations.

“Some families don’t understand how college works. They’ll ask their child, ‘How can you only have 12 hours of class and not work a 40-hr week?'” says Mainor.

“I’ve even had a parent call me who though his child would be coming to UW–Madison because this was the college in their district. They didn’t understand the application process at all.”

Once first-generation students begin their first semester, TRIO provides tutoring, advising and navigation in a “supporting, welcoming environment.”

According to Huhn’s study, the likelihood of a student attending college depends on the education level of his or her parents. Nevertheless, first-generation students continue to break the mold and persevere despite the challenges they encounter.

Fischer adds: “I’m glad to see that 21 percent of the freshman class is first-generation students, but I wouldn’t mind if it were higher yet.”