State Efforts and Non-Profits Drive Tripling of Applications
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Despite national concerns over the rising cost of higher education and a post-pandemic drop in college enrollment, the state of Texas is witnessing an encouraging surge in college applications from first-generation students. These are students whose parents or guardians have not completed a bachelor’s degree.
Data from the Common Application shows that the number of first-generation applicants in Texas has more than tripled in the last five years, rising from approximately 13,000 in the 2020-2021 academic year to about 43,000 in the 2024-2025 cycle. This rapid increase is largely being driven by the state’s growing Hispanic/Latine student population, with federal data confirming a corresponding rise in their enrollment across many of Texas’s public universities.
Policy and Outreach Initiatives Driving the Boost
Experts and advocates attribute this significant jump to a combination of intentional state-level policy decisions and the coordinated efforts of college-access non-profit organizations.
Key factors contributing to the increased accessibility and awareness include:
- Mandatory Financial Aid Forms: Texas requires high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), or an official opt-out form to graduate. This policy ensures that students—especially those from families unfamiliar with the process—are exposed to the financial aid opportunities that make college an affordable possibility.
- Dual Enrollment Access: The state’s investment in programs like the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) offers free dual-enrollment college credits to low-income high school students. This initiative gives first-generation students an early, low-cost exposure to college-level academics.
- Targeted Outreach: Non-profits, such as Education is Freedom and Breakthrough Central Texas, have improved coordination to embed college-counseling support directly in low-income high schools. These groups help students navigate the complex application and financial aid processes, which are often major barriers for families without prior college experience.
Tailored Support in a Changing Landscape
This growth is particularly notable given the recent ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs across Texas public colleges. In response, institutions are adapting by creating specialized resources focused explicitly on supporting first-generation students.
Universities are establishing First-Generation Student Centers and Living Learning Communities (LLCs) where students can find targeted academic advising, mentorship from faculty and peers, and tailored resources to overcome the specific challenges of being the first in their family to attend college. This specialized support is crucial for improving retention and graduation rates, addressing the historical challenge where first-generation students often face higher attrition rates despite successful admission.
