College Readiness Curriculum for Potential First-Generation and/or Low-Income Students

Unfortunately, first-generation and/or low-income students and their parents experience many obstacles to accessing higher education. First-generation college students are at a disadvantage when it comes to attaining higher education because of lack of knowledge and understanding of college terms, personal commitment, and familial support both financially and personally (Filkins & Doyle, 2002). Also, first-generation and/or low-income students are at a disadvantage in terms of overall college readiness and attendance, and students from less privileged families are less likely to attend postsecondary education (Schoon & Parsons, 2002). These findings are of concern as roughly 30% of the incoming freshman in the United States are first-generation and/or low-income students (Ramsey & Peale, 2010). Additionally, the cost of college has increased by 91% since 1978 (Brewer & McMahan, 2005). Thus, low-income students also face many financial barriers. Sadly, many students and their parents lack the necessary skills, resources, and training needed to perform effective postsecondary planning (Wimberly & Noeth, 2005)