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BOYLE LEADS EFFORT TO SUPPORT FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS

April 30, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) led a letter with Members of Congress in calling upon the House Appropriations Committee to direct the U.S. Department of Education to conduct a report on the barriers to first-generation students graduating college. Congressman Boyle is himself a "first-generation" student, having been the first person in his family to attend college.

"Those who are the first in their families to attend college have a unique set of needs," said Congressman Boyle. "While there are many programs and resources for first-generation students, there is still a lack of infrastructure in place to ensure graduation. We must ensure that first-generation students have the proper networks of support while they pursue and attend institutions of higher education."

The joint letter urged the committee to include the following report language:

Impediments to First Generation College Students Graduating -- First generation students comprise nearly a third of all college students, yet 33% of first generation students drop out of college by the three year mark. Given the Department's vested interest in ensuring successful outcomes for first generation students, the Committee directs the Department to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, on barriers to first generation college students success and contributing factors that lead to first generation students not graduating from college or university.

First-generation students make up 30% of the college population, but one in three will drop out from school early. Around 90% of first-generation students in low-income families will not graduate within six years.