This study examines the financial and social challenges faced by first-generation college students from rural backgrounds as they transition from K-12 to four-year regional institutions. Using quantitative analysis of secondary data from the class of 2024 at a selected institution, this study examines factors influencing graduation rates and financial aid needs. Key metrics include geographic origins, high school backgrounds, academic assistance, and financial support. By highlighting these challenges, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the structural and social barriers that first-generation rural students encounter.
","abstract_html":"<p>This study examines the financial and social challenges faced by first-generation college students from rural backgrounds as they transition from K-12 to four-year regional institutions. Using quantitative analysis of secondary data from the class of 2024 at a selected institution, this study examines factors influencing graduation rates and financial aid needs. Key metrics include geographic origins, high school backgrounds, academic assistance, and financial support. By highlighting these challenges, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the structural and social barriers that first-generation rural students encounter.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Wilburn, Misty"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Doctor of Education","degree_level":"Dissertation","degree_discipline":"Secondary Education and Educational Leadership","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Barbara Qualls, Ph.D.","Freddie Avant, Ph.D.","Marigold Hudock, Ph.D."],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-08-07T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2025-08-07T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:49Z","subjects":["rural college students","college success","higher education access","first-generation students","postsecondary education","rural serving and located institutions","Educational Leadership","Higher Education","Higher Education Administration"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/640","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Barbara Qualls, Ph.D.","Freddie Avant, Ph.D.","Marigold Hudock, Ph.D."]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Wilburn, Misty"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2025-07-14T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Secondary Education and Educational Leadership"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Dissertation"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Doctor of Education"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["rural college students","college success","higher education access","first-generation students","postsecondary education","rural serving and located institutions","Educational Leadership","Higher Education","Higher Education Administration"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/640"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This study examines the financial and social challenges faced by first-generation college students from rural backgrounds as they transition from K-12 to four-year regional institutions. Using quantitative analysis of secondary data from the class of 2024 at a selected institution, this study examines factors influencing graduation rates and financial aid needs. Key metrics include geographic origins, high school backgrounds, academic assistance, and financial support. By highlighting these challenges, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the structural and social barriers that first-generation rural students encounter.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["RURAL ROOTS, ACADEMIC ROADS: EXPLORING COLLEGE PERSISTENCE AMONG RURAL STUDENTS"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Barbara Qualls, Ph.D.","Freddie Avant, Ph.D.","Marigold Hudock, Ph.D."],"dc:creator":["Wilburn, Misty"],"dc:date.available":["2025-07-14T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["This study examines the financial and social challenges faced by first-generation college students from rural backgrounds as they transition from K-12 to four-year regional institutions. Using quantitative analysis of secondary data from the class of 2024 at a selected institution, this study examines factors influencing graduation rates and financial aid needs. Key metrics include geographic origins, high school backgrounds, academic assistance, and financial support. By highlighting these challenges, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the structural and social barriers that first-generation rural students encounter.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/640"],"dc:subject":["rural college students","college success","higher education access","first-generation students","postsecondary education","rural serving and located institutions","Educational Leadership","Higher Education","Higher Education Administration"],"dc:title":["RURAL ROOTS, ACADEMIC ROADS: EXPLORING COLLEGE PERSISTENCE AMONG RURAL STUDENTS"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Secondary Education and Educational Leadership"],"thesis:degree_level":["Dissertation"],"thesis:degree_name":["Doctor of Education"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T04:30:49Z"}