NRCCUA Identifies Unique Financial Challenges for First Generation High School Seniors

Lee’s Summit, MO – January 12, 2010   One in three seniors in high school today will be the first generation in their families to attend college.  These students have unique challenges that will likely influence their paths to college.

As the New Year begins, the 2010 high school graduating class members embark on the process of researching and applying for financial aid for their first year of college next fall. All students will have challenges and hurdles, but the first generation students will have fewer resources and less preparation and knowledge of the process than their peers.

Nearly two years ago, NRCCUA began tracking high school students who would become “first generation college students”. While a long-term trend study is underway, preliminary analysis shows unique challenges and discrepancies within this population.

Initial findings include:

·         Median Household Income Disparity:

o   First Generation Family - $45,000

o   Non-First Generation Family – $55,000

o   First generation students are 91% more likely to live in a household with an annual income of under $30,000  

·         Understanding of College Costs:

o   Almost half of first generation students overestimate the cost of attending a major state university by at least 50%

·         Expectations of the Economically Disadvantaged:

o   Nearly 40% of students, in households with incomes below $30,000, believe they will not receive any financial aid (grants, loans or work study) to attend college

“The combination of these factors identifies a population at extreme risk. Identifying students who believe college is unattainable is crucial in directing resources and support” stated Ryan Munce, Vice President of NRCCUA.

NRCCUA, through the My College Options College® Planning Program, will continue to measure these factors and report significant findings on a regular basis.

About The National Research Center for College & University Admissions™ (NRCCUA^®)

NRCCUA operates the nation’s largest college and career planning program, My College Options. NRCCUA is a non-profit educational research organization based in Lee’s Summit, MO.  For 38 years, NRCCUA has conducted the largest nationwide survey of high school students, which serves as a communications link between college-bound high school students and public and private colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.nrccua.org.