WAXAHACHIE, Texas (Oct. 10, 2026) – First-Generation College Student Day, celebrated on November 8, honors students who are pursuing higher education as the first in their families to do so. 

At Nelson University, we are proud to celebrate these trailblazers whose resilience and dedication are opening doors for generations to come.

Manny Franco, a senior at Nelson University, said he is especially proud of being both a first-generation college student and a first-generation American: “I am not only a first-generation college student, but I am also a first-generation American. That is very important to my family and I. It is a privilege to be here. It is a privilege to be an American. It is a privilege to go to school here.”

Being a first-generation college student often means experiencing a lot of “firsts” all at once: filling out financial aid forms, registering for classes, moving onto campus, and figuring out where to go when questions arise. It can be exciting, overwhelming, and rewarding all at the same time. 

For first-generation student and junior Olivia Jade Harris, attending Nelson University felt like a calling from the Lord. Harris said her grandparents played a significant role in supporting her through the college application process.

“Most of my time spent applying to college was with my grandparents,” Harris said. “It was actually a lot harder because not only did my grandparents not go to college, they didn’t go to high school. I didn’t know what an ACT was. I didn’t know what an SAT was. Thankfully, we had great admissions counselors and great people helping us out.”

While every student’s story is different, the courage and determination of first-generation students deserve to be celebrated, but resilience should never become an excuse to expect students to figure everything out alone.

For first-generation senior Autumn Nava, the path to Nelson University was anything but typical. After posting videos on TikTok, Nava received an opportunity to audition for American Idol, an experience she said came with both challenges and growth. The journey eventually led her to serve on her church’s worship team and, ultimately, attend Nelson University.

“From then on, my life was changed,” Nava said. “I discovered this big calling and who God is making me to be. I’ve been learning more about the person God is calling me to become. Now I’m here, and I’ve loved every second of it.”

While students like Nava have found purpose, support and community at Nelson University, national data shows that completing a college degree remains a challenge for many first-generation students.

According to FirstGen Forward, six years after starting college, only 24% of first-generation students earned a bachelor’s degree, compared with 59% of continuing-generation students. Additionally, 48% of first-generation students earned any postsecondary credential, compared with 70% of continuing-generation students. This data points to a significant national completion gap, creating an opportunity for Nelson to help more students reach graduation.

Financial concerns can continue after graduation, too. On average, first-generation college students make $2,000 less annually than a continuing-generation college student.

Those statistics do not predict the future of an individual first-generation student. They only challenge us to recognize the barriers students may encounter and help them find a path forward.

How Can First-Generation Students Navigate College at Nelson?

Questions about paying for college can feel especially intimidating when nobody in your household has navigated financial aid before. Nelson’s admissions counselors are available to guide students through the process, including FAFSA requirements and Nelson financial aid steps.

You can start by exploring Nelson’s financial aid page and scholarships and grants. 

Being first means there is no inherited blueprint for where your education can take you. It also means you get to help draw one. Your degree can prepare you for a career. Your example can do something more. A younger sibling, cousin, child or neighbor may someday approach college differently because they watched you go first.

First-Generation College Student Day celebrates courage, persistence, perspective and the people willing to enter unfamiliar territory because they believe something greater is possible.

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About Nelson University 

Nelson University is a private Christian institution located in Waxahachie, Texas, just 30 minutes south of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. Established in 1927, the university offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs on campus and online. With a mission to integrate faith and learning, Nelson equips students to pursue their God‑given callings within a Spirit‑empowered community. For additional details, Request Information or call 1‑888‑937‑7248.