Mission Celebrates First-Generation College Students

by | Nov 8, 2019 | Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Scholarships, Uncategorized

BAR HARBOR, ME — In 2017, The Council for Opportunity in Education designated November 8t h as a day to celebrate first-generation college students. By first-generation (“first gen”), we mean students who will be the first members of their families to graduate from a four-year college.

According to The Center for First Generation Student Success:

November 8 was selected as the date for the annual National First-Generation College Celebration to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The Higher Education Act (“HEA”) emerged out of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Much like other hallmark legislation of that era such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, HEA was intended to help level a playing field that for too long had been weighed against Americans from minority and low income backgrounds.

In addition to creating federal grants and loan programs to help students finance their educations, the legislation made key investments in institutions of higher education. Additionally, HEA ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for post-secondary access, retention and completion for low income, potential first-generation college graduates.

  • 62% of our Maine Seacoast Mission Scholarship recipients are first gen.

  • 100% of our college exploration and engagement program students are first gen.

Today and every day, we honor you, your families and communities and celebrate your courage and perseverance as you journey to and through college!

Learn more about the Mission Scholarship program.

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