By: Fatima Lopez, ACT Scholar and Kirkwood Community College student
The biggest challenge I experienced being a first-generation college student was the lack of financial support. Our family comes from a humble living, and I am trying to support myself while attending classes. Since my mother and siblings could not attend college, I did not have the knowledge or the experience to navigate applying to get into college. I also did not know the resources and support teams available to me.
By: Bryan Contreras, vice president education partnerships, Encoura
There is a sprint every fall semester. It’s not at the cross-country meet beneath a beautiful canopy of fall foliage, nor is it an athletic sprint on one of the many playing fields as fall winds turn to a cold winter blue. It’s the college application sprint to meet early decisions and priority deadlines.
Stay informed through ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning blog which offers thought leadership and reflective pieces on barriers and solutions to help students who are systemically underserved achieve education and career success.