Celebrating First-Generation Students and Alumni

Did you know that 45% of Jax State's 2024 Freshman class identifies as First-Gen?

In their families, they are trailblazers. Brave and determined, open to opportunities. Sources of pride around the family dinner table. Movers. Shakers. Go-getters. They are First-Generation Gamecocks, the first in their immediate families to attend college. Although navigating higher education as a first-gen student can be challenging, they believe that anything is possible, and that their futures are as bright as their determination to persevere and succeed! We agree, and we are proud of and inspired by our First-Gen Gamecocks.

What is First-Gen?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardians have not completed a bachelor's degree.

A FirstGen Forward Network Campus

JSU is a member of the FirstGen FORWARD Network! “Powered by FirstGen Forward, formerly known as the Center for First-generation Student Success, the FirstGen Forward Network offers a national model for scaling holistic first-generation student success by engaging and empowering higher education institutions to transform the first-generation student experience, advance academic and co-curricular outcomes, and build more inclusive institutional structures.” (FirstGen Forward, 2024).

Are you the next to be first? We're here to support you every step of the way!

Visit JSU
Apply to JSU
First-Gen Student Stories
First-Gen Alumni Stories
Share Your First-Gen Story