Definition
A student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree, navigating higher education without the inherited knowledge of academic culture. They're often praised in marketing materials while receiving insufficient institutional support.
Example Usage
As a first-generation student, she had no idea what 'office hours' meant or that professors expected her to use them.
Origin
Term gained prominence in educational research and policy discussions in the 1990s.
Fun Fact
First-generation students make up about one-third of all college students but have significantly lower graduation rates, largely due to financial pressures and lack of cultural capital.
Source: Student demographics and equity terminology
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “first-generation student” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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