Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2023, as “National First-Generation College Celebration Day”.

Expressing support for the designation of November 8, 2023, as “National First-Generation College Celebration Day”.

Whereas, November 8 honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965;

Whereas the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) was focused on increasing postsecondary access and success for students, particularly including low-income and first-generation students;

Whereas the Act helped usher in programs necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, first-generation college students, including the Federal TRIO Programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq.), and the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a);

Whereas the Federal TRIO programs under chapter 1 of subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq.) are the primary national effort supporting underrepresented students in postsecondary education and are designed to identify individuals from low-income, first-generation backgrounds and prepare them for postsecondary education, provide support services, and motivate and prepare students for doctoral programs;

Whereas the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) is the primary Federal investment in financial aid for low-income college students, and is used by students at institutions of higher education of their choice;

Whereas a “first-generation college student” means an individual whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree, or in the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree;

Whereas first-generation college students face additional academic, financial, and social barriers compared to what their continuing-generation peers face while pursuing higher education;

Whereas 56 percent of all current baccalaureate students currently pursuing degrees are first-generation;

Whereas one-third of all community and technical college students identify as first-generation;

Whereas one-third of all community and technical college students identify as first-generation, with 12.7 percent having attained an associate’s degree and 11.9 percent having attained a certificate from a community or technical college;

Whereas first-generation students navigate multiple competing priorities, and 66 percent were employed while in college, in paid jobs, internships, or work study;

Whereas first-generation students hold significant roles within their household, with 30 percent having dependents to care for while in school;

Whereas 45 percent of first-generation graduates expect to attain a master’s degree, and 19 percent expect to attain a doctoral degree upon completing a bachelor’s degree;

Whereas the Council for Opportunity in Education and the Center for First-generation Student Success jointly launched the inaugural First-Generation College Celebration in 2017; and

Whereas the First-Generation College Celebration has continued to grow, and institutions of higher education, corporations, nonprofits, and elementary schools and secondary schools now celebrate November 8 as “First-Generation College Celebration Day”: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,