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Voices of the First: A Mixed-Methods Study on Challenges and Success Factors of First-Generation College Students.

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Title: Voices of the First: A Mixed-Methods Study on Challenges and Success Factors of First-Generation College Students.
Authors: Camarista, Genesis G.1 genesis.camarista@wvsu.edu, Java, Almar J.1 almar.java@wvsu.edu.ph, Rivera, Marlyn V.1 marlyn.villamor@wvsu.edu.ph
Source: International Journal of Learning in Higher Education. Mar2026, Vol. 33 Issue 1, p249-271. 23p.
Subject Terms: *First-generation college students, *Educational equalization, *Mixed methods research, *Student engagement, Critical success factor, Psychological well-being, Financial security
Geographic Terms: Philippines
Abstract: This study investigates the academic challenges and success factors experienced by firstgeneration college students (FGCS) at the West Visayas State University-Himamaylan City Campus in the Philippines. Grounded in Vincent Tinto's Theory of Student Integration, the study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to capture both the statistical patterns and lived experiences of FGCS. Quantitative data were gathered from 124 students using a validated researcher-made survey instrument. Descriptive statistics revealed that FGCS face major challenges in financial stability, family pressure, and emotional well-being. Academic success is largely supported by personal resilience, a strong sense of purpose, self-discipline, and emotional support from family, peers, and institutional programs, including scholarships and mental health services. These findings were elaborated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with eight purposively selected participants. Thematic analysis generated six core themes: (1) Family Financial Incapacity: Surviving the Strain of Sacrifice; (2) Thrown Into the Deep: Learning to Swim in Waves of College Journey; (3) Fueled by Family: Carrying Hopes on Our Backs; (4) Survival Mode: Strategies from the Frontlines of First-Gen Life; (5) Doubt in the Dark: Wrestling with Worthiness; and (6) The First, but Not the Last: Pride in the Pioneer Path. The study concludes that FGCS are not only surviving but also striving toward success, and it recommends intentional, empathetic interventions to foster equity and retention in higher education for this often-overlooked population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Learning in Higher Education is the property of Common Ground Research Networks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
FullText Text:
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  Data: Voices of the First: A Mixed-Methods Study on Challenges and Success Factors of First-Generation College Students.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Camarista%2C+Genesis+G%2E%22">Camarista, Genesis G.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> genesis.camarista@wvsu.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Java%2C+Almar+J%2E%22">Java, Almar J.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> almar.java@wvsu.edu.ph</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rivera%2C+Marlyn+V%2E%22">Rivera, Marlyn V.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> marlyn.villamor@wvsu.edu.ph</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Learning+in+Higher+Education%22">International Journal of Learning in Higher Education</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 33 Issue 1, p249-271. 23p.
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  Data: This study investigates the academic challenges and success factors experienced by firstgeneration college students (FGCS) at the West Visayas State University-Himamaylan City Campus in the Philippines. Grounded in Vincent Tinto's Theory of Student Integration, the study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design to capture both the statistical patterns and lived experiences of FGCS. Quantitative data were gathered from 124 students using a validated researcher-made survey instrument. Descriptive statistics revealed that FGCS face major challenges in financial stability, family pressure, and emotional well-being. Academic success is largely supported by personal resilience, a strong sense of purpose, self-discipline, and emotional support from family, peers, and institutional programs, including scholarships and mental health services. These findings were elaborated through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with eight purposively selected participants. Thematic analysis generated six core themes: (1) Family Financial Incapacity: Surviving the Strain of Sacrifice; (2) Thrown Into the Deep: Learning to Swim in Waves of College Journey; (3) Fueled by Family: Carrying Hopes on Our Backs; (4) Survival Mode: Strategies from the Frontlines of First-Gen Life; (5) Doubt in the Dark: Wrestling with Worthiness; and (6) The First, but Not the Last: Pride in the Pioneer Path. The study concludes that FGCS are not only surviving but also striving toward success, and it recommends intentional, empathetic interventions to foster equity and retention in higher education for this often-overlooked population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Learning in Higher Education is the property of Common Ground Research Networks and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.18848/2327-7955/CGP/v33i01/249-271
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: First-generation college students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational equalization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mixed methods research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student engagement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Critical success factor
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological well-being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Financial security
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Philippines
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Voices of the First: A Mixed-Methods Study on Challenges and Success Factors of First-Generation College Students.
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            NameFull: Camarista, Genesis G.
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            NameFull: Java, Almar J.
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              Text: Mar2026
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              Y: 2026
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