Colleges and policymakers often differ on how to define a “first-generation” college student. A new brief explores the assumptions at play—and how they affect programmatic support.
Students Archive
Academic requirements for financial aid are locking out students who need the most support
Experts say that making students’ federal financial aid conditional on “satisfactory academic progress” punishes students who have the fewest resources to help them complete their degree. State and federal lawmakers are working to create more student-friendly policies.
Repairing a ‘broken’ transfer system
The Department of Education is focusing on partnerships between two- and four-year colleges that improve a transfer system where students from underserved communities often face obstacles to completing a four-year degree.
Colleges and universities seek to attract, retain military-connected students
An increasing number of nonprofit two- and four-year colleges and universities are recruiting military service members and veterans, and investing in supportive services to ensure they thrive on campus.
Doctoral student seeks to reduce educational barriers for deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists
Megan Majocha (G’24), a biomedical graduate student who is deaf, aims to reduce barriers to scientific research careers for members of the deaf community.
SAT score gaps reveal deeper inequality in education, opportunity
A New York Times story exploring students’ SAT results by income level shines a light on “the deep inequality at the heart of American education”—economic disparities that leave children from the most underserved neighborhoods without the tools they need to succeed.
Putting college within reach for rural students
Students from rural communities face multiple barriers to higher education, including long commutes, financial strain, and a lack of academic support. New programs are finding ways to shrink those obstacles.
Community colleges offer four-year programs as affordable pathways to bachelor’s degrees
California community colleges are offering bachelor’s degree programs that allow students to attend college closer to home at more affordable rates.
Georgetown becomes the first Catholic, Jesuit university to launch a disability cultural center
This fall, Georgetown will open a new Disability Cultural Center, an on-campus hub providing resources, mentorship, community, and programming for disabled students, faculty, and staff, as well as allies and those interested in learning about disability.
New index ranks colleges based on their economic diversity
The New York Times has released data on trends in the enrollment of low-income students at top colleges across the country. While some selective colleges and universities have enrolled more economically disadvantaged students, others are backsliding.
A push for more effective, equitable transfer pathways
Improving the transfer process from community colleges to four-year institutions is crucial as higher education seeks to build more diverse campuses and foster more equitable outcomes for underrepresented students, experts say.
Academic boot camp eases transition to college for military-connected students
The Warrior-Scholar Project prepares enlisted service members and veterans to tackle the challenges of college life by helping them develop the attitudes, habits, and knowledge they need to excel in academically rigorous programs.