Supporting First-Generation and/or limited-income students starts with truly understanding their reality on the ground. Explore these key facts to gain a clearer picture of what it means to be a First-Gen student and how we can best support them.
As of Fall 2024:
- Over 16% of the U-M undergraduate student population is First-Gen, while 18% of the college’s undergraduate student population is First-Gen.
- This means that about 62% of all First-Gen students at U-M are LSA students!
- About 40% of LSA First-Gen students are coming from out-of-state.
- Similarly to the rest of the LSA undergraduate population, the most popular majors declared by LSA First-Gen students are:
- Undeclared
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Economics
- Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience
- U-M boasts a high retention rate (>97%) and graduation rate (>90%) for First-Gen/Pell-eligible students, as compared to other institutions.
The following definitions provide insights into the diverse identities and roles within the First-Generation student community:
- First-Generation students are typically from families whose parents, guardians, and/or other custodial family members have not earned a four-year college degree.
- First-Generation graduates are faculty or staff that attended and graduated from college as a First-Generation and/or limited-income student.
- First-Gen, limited-income students are First-Generation, limited-income, or both.
- First-Generation allies are faculty, staff, or alumni who are not First-Generation, but are dedicated to supporting the success of First-Gen students.
