Historically, students with diverse learning needs face barriers to educational attainment and retention, including lack of financial resources, lack of social support, less academic preparedness, and feelings of isolation. They also often face logistical challenges, including balancing work schedules, caring for children or aging family members, and lack of knowledge of navigating online education and the involved bureaucratic processes. The following section presents an overview of common barriers faced by student groups based on diverse identity markers; however, most of the challenges that present barriers to educational attainment and success are systemic in nature and reflect oppressive, ableist societal structures and policies.
First-generation College Students
First-generation students are often characterized as being older (as compared to traditional undergraduate students), identifying as female, having children, and identifying as a racial and/or socioeconomic minority (Kim et al., 2020). Furthermore, this group of students is more likely to continue with external employment and need remedial coursework, which puts them at risk for dropping out of college or course failure (Engle, 2007; Kim et al, 2020). It is also common for first-generation college students to experience financial stress, especially those who come from low-income backgrounds, and subsequently require support in navigating financial aid services (Ko et al., 2023).
Academic. Based on several related factors with systemic roots, first-generation college students are often less academically prepared for college, based on the rigor of high school courses (Engle, 2007) and lower grade-point averages (Kim et al., 2020; Ko et al., 2023). Having less experience navigating college can contribute to perceived lack of skills and abilities needed to succeed in the academic rigor of the university environment (Toyokawa & DeWald, 2020). Furthermore, the cultural differences between interdependent expectations associated with working class families (many of whom represent first-generation college students) and independent college coursework also present challenges to academic success, especially for those first-generation students from racial and cultural backgrounds which value interdependence (Kim et al., 2020; Ko et al., 2023). Consolidating these academic cultures may present challenges, particularly in online instruction, which may be even less familiar for first-time college attendees.
Support. Lack of familial support navigating the college application process as well as the selection of a degree program also presents challenges for first-generation college students (Toyokawa & DeWald, 2020). As a result of lack of preparation and a lack of resources, this group of students also experiences lower self-efficacy and lower levels of sense of belonging while simultaneously juggling several responsibilities, which perpetuates the cycle of lowered academic performance and decreased social integration (Kim et al., 2020). First-generation college students also tend to experience higher rates of emotional distress and psychological issues, including depression, lack of social connections, and challenges related to campus culture (Kim et al., 2020; Ko et al., 2023).