‘That’s Not a Gap Year. That’s Just Not Going to College’: COVID-19 Erodes Equity Gains of First-Generation College-Goers
This essay was originally published on The Hill and discusses the potential solution of increasing the number of first-generation students earning bachelor’s degrees in order to address the growing income and wealth gaps in the nation. However, due to the impact of COVID-19, many low-income students are either deferring or dropping their college plans. Some are also opting for community college instead of a four-year college, which significantly reduces their chances of earning a bachelor’s degree.
Unlike middle-class students who may take a "gap year" to engage in enriching educational experiences, low-income students are forced to take on jobs to support their families. This shift from pursuing higher education to immediate employment is concerning because it prevents these students from attending college altogether.
An example of this situation is Jacob Williams from Chicago, who aspired to work in the tech industry. After graduating high school in 2019 and enrolling in college, he was forced to drop out due to financial pressures caused by the COVID recession. His mother, who is the sole breadwinner, works in security at an apartment complex, and Jacob felt the need to contribute to the family’s income.
The consequences of this trend are dire, particularly for low-income and minority students who have recently started making progress towards achieving higher education and upward mobility. Numerous studies indicate that earning a bachelor’s degree is crucial for lifting individuals from the lowest-income families to middle-income levels. Therefore, these setbacks will have long-lasting effects on our society and perpetuate inequalities for future generations.
While graduating from college does not completely solve the issue of income inequality, it is currently the most effective means we have for leveling the playing field. Over the past decade, there has been considerable progress in increasing college enrollment among first-generation students, as well as ensuring their graduation rates. However, these advances are now being undermined by the current circumstances.
Jacob Williams, for instance, received guidance from a counselor at OneGoal who helped him navigate the college application process. According to John Dudley, who oversees OneGoal’s advisers in Chicago, there has been a sudden shift in attitudes among students. Financial concerns, such as job losses in the family and uncertainties regarding financial aid, are now the primary drivers behind their decisions about attending college in the fall.
First-generation college-goers, in particular, are hesitant about paying tuition for online instruction, as they worry about the quality of education they will receive. This presents a challenge for large state systems like the California State University, which already announced its decision to transition to online learning in the fall. It raises concerns about how to support students who mostly commute from home.
To better understand this situation, it is essential to differentiate between two distinct groups of first-generation college-goers. The first group consists of low-income students who perform well on achievement tests. Over the past decade, national philanthropies have prioritized these students by providing them with expert college counseling based on data-driven strategies. As a result, they have been successful in getting these students admitted to competitive universities where they are more likely to earn their degrees.
Currently, counselors are primarily offering support to these students over the phone, but their efforts have been effective in convincing them to stick with their college plans. The most probable adjustment for these students is to choose a state university closer to home instead of attending prestigious private colleges far away. By enrolling in an honors program at their selected state university, their chances of earning a degree significantly improve. However, if they are unable to secure a spot in an honors program, their odds of graduating decline.
On the other hand, the second group includes low-income students with average achievement scores. Typically, students from high-income families with average scores have greater access to college education if their parents can afford the tuition fees. Many colleges willingly admit these students.
The Houston Independent School District, known for its high poverty rates and large number of first-generation college students, has been commended for its proactive approach to college advising. However, counselors in the district are concerned about the growing number of students they are unable to maintain contact with. According to David Johnston, who supervises a team of 44 counselors, they are only able to keep in touch with less than half of the district’s 10,000 seniors.
Typically, Johnston and his team see a "summer melt" rate, which refers to the percentage of students who initially plan to attend college but ultimately do not, of 10 to 15 percent. However, this year, they anticipate the summer melt rate to be double that figure due to the challenges of reaching and supporting a larger number of students.
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