First-Generation College Celebration (FGCC) is an annual opportunity to raise awareness of the first-generation college student identity by advancing an asset-based, national narrative of these students’ experiences and outcomes.
Since the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and FirstGen Forward (FGF, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success) hosted the inaugural celebration in 2017, hundreds of higher education institutions, corporations, government officials, non-profits, and K-12 schools have joined together in recognizing the achievements of the first-gen community on and around November 8.
This year, leverage Celebration Day to deepen your community’s understanding of the systemic barriers plaguing higher education and the supports necessary for this resilient population to continue thriving across education, career, and life.
Why Celebrate on November 8
FGCC is celebrated annually on November 8 to commemorate the signing of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) of 1965 by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson. This act created federal financial aid programs to fund students’ educations and made key investments in colleges and universities. Many of the HEA’s programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, promote postsecondary access, retention, and completion for today’s limited-income, first-generation college students.
FGCC strives not only to celebrate first-gen students’ contributions to their communities but also to occasion systemic social change by dismantling barriers to first-generation student success. Through this intentional advocacy focus, FGCC engages key constituencies in building upon the work left unfinished by the HEA.
Click here to learn more about the HEA, the creation of Federal TRIO programs, and the history of the First-Generation College Celebration.
Plan Your Celebration
This year, we encourage you to celebrate the first-generation college student and graduate community in every way possible! From inviting speakers to hosting professional development events, the possibilities for celebration are endless.
Many single-day events have spawned month-long celebrations. Below, you'll find everything you need to begin planning your 2024 events.
Tag @COEtalk and @FirstGenForward and use the #CelebrateFirstGen when sharing your plans on social media!
2024 Get Out the Vote Campaign
From your local school board to the White House, voting in every election is important—especially for first-gen students and their advocates.
This year, FGF and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge invite you to incorporate this custom voter registration portal into your 2024 First-Generation College Celebration plans.
Register to Vote
Use the resources below to strengthen your 2024 Get Out the Vote Campaign!
Grant Opportunity
Each year, we’re pleased to award grants to NASPA- and COE-member institutions to aid them in reaching more first-generation college students or graduates; engaging more stakeholders; launching new first-gen-specific events or initiatives; and/or providing additional services around FGCC.
Please join us in congratulating this year's 65 awardees!
Meet the 2024 #CelebrateFirstGen Grant Recipients
Thank you to TIAA and the Strada Education Foundation for their generous contributions to this year's grants!
Congratulations to our past Grant Opportunity recipients!
2023 Recipients
TRIO Program Resources
COE has created two resources to support TRIO fund recipients' First-Generation College Celebration participation. The first details relevant regulations and allowable cost categories, while the second shares tips for recognizing TRIO's 60th anniversary during your #CelebrateFirstGen events.
National Events
FGF and COE have co-hosted several national events highlighting different facets of the first-gen journey.
In 2023, our event centered first-gen college students' career trajectories by featuring a panel of first-gen graduates who hold senior roles in some of the world's most recognizable companies.
Watch the 2023 Event
You can incorporate previous events into your upcoming FGCC plans!