TRIO Defines First-Generation College Student
Discover the history and significance of the first-generation college student concept pioneered by the TRIO community. Learn about the partnership between COE and NASPA’s Center for First-generation Success, and join the National First-Generation College Celebration marking the anniversary of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
- First-Generation College Celebration Day
- Legislation, Regulations, and Financial Aid
- Celebrating 60 Years of TRIO Excellence
- About COE
Our History
TRIO pioneers “first-gen” concept, celebrates achievements.
The TRIO community introduced the concept of the “first-generation college student” during the late 1970s Higher Education Act reauthorization, codifying it into law in the 1980 HEA reauthorization. COE, in partnership with NASPA’s Center for First-generation Success, initiated the National First-Generation College Celebration, observed annually on November 8, to honor the achievements of first-generation college students, expanding to include weeklong events for both undergraduates and graduates.
TRIO unifies admission criteria
The TRIO community introduced the concept of the “first-generation college student.”
In the late 1970s, as Congress prepared to reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), TRIO leaders nationwide sought to unify the admission criteria for the programs. Until then, each program had different eligibility criteria, ranging from “rurally isolated” to “culturally disadvantaged.” A working group called the National Coordinating Council of Educational Opportunity Associations – the pre-cursor to the Council for Opportunity in Education – introduced the idea of the “first-generation college student” as a universal criterion for admission to the TRIO programs during the hearings leading up to 1980 HEA reauthorization.
Law defines first-gen
The term “first-generation college student” was first codified into law in the TRIO section of the Higher Education Act.
Following the recommendations of TRIO leaders, the 1980 HEA reauthorization included language in the TRIO section defining a “first-generation college student” as “an individual… whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree.” (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1070a-11(h)(3) (The definition goes on to state that, “[i]n the case of an individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree.”)
First-gen celebration partnership
COE partnered with NASPA’s Center for First-generation Success in 2017 to launch the first National First-Generation College Celebration.
To amplify the experience and the accomplishments of first-generation college students on campus, COE joined NASPA’s Center for First-generation Success to launch the National First-Generation College Celebration Day. Since 2017, campuses across the country have marked this event on November 8, the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. In recent years, this event has grown to include weeklong celebrations that include not only first-generation undergraduates but first-generation graduate students as well.
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