Using a Collegiate Program to Increase College Retention and Completion Rates of First-Generation and Low-Income Students

The research for the study pursued to (1) examine how the Student Support Services TRIO programs impact first-generation and Low-income students in their first year of college and university, (1a) the aspects of the Student Support Services programs that participants have perceived positively affect their academic grades in their first year of college, helping to raise their grades in their first semester as well as their first year, and (2) determine the resources that were available and instrumental in keeping students’ focus as they faced underlying barriers to persist in their first semester and the first year in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. The survey requested participants from all the Florida Student Support Services TRIO Programs. For three weeks, the survey was posted on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Linked In. The survey was posted for a window of three weeks, and as mentioned in Chapter Three, a minimum sample of 40 participants would participate in the survey. However, by the end of the three weeks, there were 78 participants total, and four declined to complete the survey. Among those who participated in the study, over 40 indicated that the Student Support Services program positively impacted their persistence in completing their first semester and first year of college and beyond. Through the descriptive analysis, the researcher determined that there is a link between Student Support Services TRIO Program awareness on college and university campuses and an increase in retention and completion rates of first-generation and low-income students during the first semester and first year of college.