fbpx

Four Ways to Support First-Generation College Students

More than half of college students today are first-generation, or students whose parents did not complete a bachelor’s degree. With such a significant part of the college student population identifying as first-generation, understanding how to support these students is critical. Navigating college can already be difficult for many students, but first-generation students are especially resilient as they are the first in their families to attend college, and therefore do not always have the same access to knowledge and resources as their peers. However, systemic barriers such as inconsistent student support, resource constraints, and basic needs insecurity greatly impact first-generation students, with only 27% completing their degree within four years.

In honor of national First-Generation College Celebration this November, we’re highlighting first-generation college students and sharing a variety of ways that campuses can support them throughout their higher education journey. Here are four ways campuses can support first-generation students:

1. Get in front of students early on in their college journey.
New student orientation is one of the first touchpoints in any college students’ journey. Sharing resources for first-generation students at new student orientation is a great way to reach more students as soon as they arrive on campus. Some colleges also offer specific programs for first-generation students during orientation.

2. Build a community for first-generation students.
Collaborate with other departments and programs, such as TRIO, student services, academic advising, and more, to host events and activities for first-generation students. If you have an on-campus food pantry space, consider hosting a First-Gen Open House at the beginning of the academic year to help get more students familiar with the pantry and other resources.

3. Engage in targeted outreach.
See if your campus has data and insights about first-generation students to better understand the experiences of these students specifically at your institution. You can also try to find (or start) a first-generation student list-serv to send emails or newsletters with helpful information for first-generation students.

4. Offer a “resource menu” for students.
Work with other offices and departments on campus that support first-generation students to create an all-inclusive, easily accessible “menu” of resources. If your college does not have a centralized location for this information, providing a brief resource guide or webpage can make it easier for students to be aware of and access these important resources.

Learn more about how to support first-generation college students in our latest resource guide, or watch a recording of our Swipe Session on first-generation students.

Swipe Out Hunger and TIAA are partnering to raise awareness around first-generation college students and ensure they have the support they need to succeed in their education. Learn more about this partnership here.

Other Blog Posts

Introducing the Inaugural Swipe Out Hunger Student Leadership and Advisory Council (SLAAC)

Introducing the Inaugural Swipe Out Hunger Student Leadership and Advisory Council (SLAAC)

Campus Spotlight: The Passionate Staff of U-Access Food Pantry at UMass Boston

Campus Spotlight: The Passionate Staff of U-Access Food Pantry at UMass Boston

Northeastern Resources LLC and the Lighthouse Foundation Launch “The Art of Philanthropy” Campaign in Partnership with Swipe Out Hunger

Northeastern Resources LLC and the Lighthouse Foundation Launch “The Art of Philanthropy” Campaign in Partnership with Swipe Out Hunger

Support Your Local Campus Pantry For Giving Tuesday!

Support Your Local Campus Pantry For Giving Tuesday!

Introducing the 2025 Student Leadership and Advisory Council (SLAAC)

Introducing the 2025 Student Leadership and Advisory Council (SLAAC)

Swipe Out Hunger Partners with TIAA to Support First-Generation College Students

Swipe Out Hunger Partners with TIAA to Support First-Generation College Students

Swipe Out Hunger’s 2024 Year in Review

Swipe Out Hunger’s 2024 Year in Review

Three Ways to Get Involved with Swipe Out Hunger this Fall

Three Ways to Get Involved with Swipe Out Hunger this Fall

Swipe Out Hunger Welcomes New Board Members

Swipe Out Hunger Welcomes New Board Members

Insights from the Trellis 2023 Student Financial Wellness Survey

Insights from the Trellis 2023 Student Financial Wellness Survey

A Student Advocate’s Guide to Sustaining a Movement Through Self-Care

A Student Advocate’s Guide to Sustaining a Movement Through Self-Care

A Student’s Perspective On The Impact of SNAP Incentive Programs

A Student’s Perspective On The Impact of SNAP Incentive Programs

A Day in the Life of A Nursing Student Fighting Hunger in Rural Arkansas

A Day in the Life of A Nursing Student Fighting Hunger in Rural Arkansas

Our Campus Survey: More of Your Questions Answered

Our Campus Survey: More of Your Questions Answered

3 Key Takeaways From Our National Campus Survey

3 Key Takeaways From Our National Campus Survey

Swipe Out Hunger Awards Over $420,000 in Grants to More Than 100 Campus Pantries

Swipe Out Hunger Awards Over $420,000 in Grants to More Than 100 Campus Pantries

4 Things To Know About Leading An Anti-Hunger Movement

4 Things To Know About Leading An Anti-Hunger Movement

This Giving Tuesday, Give Back to Your Local Campus Food Security Program!

This Giving Tuesday, Give Back to Your Local Campus Food Security Program!

Implementing Innovative Food Security Programs with Everytable

Implementing Innovative Food Security Programs with Everytable

Swipe Out Hunger Partners with The GIANT Company to Award $300,000 in Grants to Fight College Student Hunger

Swipe Out Hunger Partners with The GIANT Company to Award $300,000 in Grants to Fight College Student Hunger

Swipe Out Hunger Launches 2023 Impact Report

Swipe Out Hunger Launches 2023 Impact Report

Supporting Accessible & Healthy Meals for Students with Plug-In Pot™

Supporting Accessible & Healthy Meals for Students with Plug-In Pot™

365 Days at Swipe: Live Q&A with Executive Director Jaime Hansen

365 Days at Swipe: Live Q&A with Executive Director Jaime Hansen

Swipe Out Hunger Announces New Board Members

Swipe Out Hunger Announces New Board Members

Vlog: Swiping Out Hunger in the Twin Cities

Vlog: Swiping Out Hunger in the Twin Cities

Swipe Out Hunger and Ellucian Collaborate for Student Success

Swipe Out Hunger and Ellucian Collaborate for Student Success

A Holistic Approach to Student Health: The Connection Between Mental Health & Basic Needs Insecurity

A Holistic Approach to Student Health: The Connection Between Mental Health & Basic Needs Insecurity

Swipe Out Hunger Launches Inaugural Leadership Council

Swipe Out Hunger Launches Inaugural Leadership Council

Supporting College Students Through  Upcoming Changes to SNAP

Supporting College Students Through  Upcoming Changes to SNAP

Swipe Out Hunger Joins Forces with LG to Provide Healthy Meals for 500,000 College Students, Raise Awareness About Food Insecurity on Campuses

Swipe Out Hunger Joins Forces with LG to Provide Healthy Meals for 500,000 College Students, Raise Awareness About Food Insecurity on Campuses

Cultivating a Mindful and Inclusive Campus Culture: Supporting Students with Diverse Lived Experiences

Cultivating a Mindful and Inclusive Campus Culture: Supporting Students with Diverse Lived Experiences

Swipe Out Hunger Awards $15,000 in Basic Needs Recognition Grants

Swipe Out Hunger Awards $15,000 in Basic Needs Recognition Grants

Inside the Student-Led Anti-Hunger Movement in Florida

Inside the Student-Led Anti-Hunger Movement in Florida

Q&A with Jaime Hansen, Our Executive Director

Q&A with Jaime Hansen, Our Executive Director

Swipe Out Hunger Announces Board Leadership Transitions

Swipe Out Hunger Announces Board Leadership Transitions

How Campuses Are Ensuring Students Don’t Go Hungry This Break: Takeaways from our November Swipe Session

How Campuses Are Ensuring Students Don’t Go Hungry This Break: Takeaways from our November Swipe Session

Choose Your Own #GivingTuesday Adventure: Pick From 30+ Campuses To Donate To Today!

Choose Your Own #GivingTuesday Adventure: Pick From 30+ Campuses To Donate To Today!

Swipe Out Hunger Announces the 2022 Nachman Justice Award Recipients

Swipe Out Hunger Announces the 2022 Nachman Justice Award Recipients

Swipe Out Hunger Awards $3,000 Grants to Thirty Campus Pantries

Swipe Out Hunger Awards $3,000 Grants to Thirty Campus Pantries

Campus Champions: Recognizing Student Leaders with the Nachman Justice Award

Campus Champions: Recognizing Student Leaders with the Nachman Justice Award

An Update from Our Founder

An Update from Our Founder

Swipe Out Hunger Announces New Executive Director Jaime Hansen

Swipe Out Hunger Announces New Executive Director Jaime Hansen

Building a Movement: Pennsylvania Students Advocate for Food Security

Building a Movement: Pennsylvania Students Advocate for Food Security

Celebrating the Success of Former Foster Youth

Celebrating the Success of Former Foster Youth

College Campus Food Pantries: Learnings from a 2021 Survey

College Campus Food Pantries: Learnings from a 2021 Survey

5 Things To Know About The Campus Pantry and College Hunger Landscape

5 Things To Know About The Campus Pantry and College Hunger Landscape

Swipe Out Hunger and TOP The Organic Project Partner to Support College Students

Swipe Out Hunger and TOP The Organic Project Partner to Support College Students

2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan

2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan

Swipe Out Hunger Announces Microgrants to 17 Campus Pantries

Swipe Out Hunger Announces Microgrants to 17 Campus Pantries

Win a Case of Tampons for Your Campus Pantry!

Win a Case of Tampons for Your Campus Pantry!

Chobani and Swipe Out Hunger Partner to Help College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity on 23 Campuses

Chobani and Swipe Out Hunger Partner to Help College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity on 23 Campuses

Swipe Out Hunger Acquires the College and University Food Bank Alliance

Swipe Out Hunger Acquires the College and University Food Bank Alliance

Transact Partners with Swipe Out Hunger to Address College Student Food Insecurity

Transact Partners with Swipe Out Hunger to Address College Student Food Insecurity

A Week in the Life of a University of Minnesota Anti-Hunger Advocate: Part Three

A Week in the Life of a University of Minnesota Anti-Hunger Advocate: Part Three

PepsiCo Joins the Fight to Address Student Food Insecurity

PepsiCo Joins the Fight to Address Student Food Insecurity

Comments

Comments for this post are closed