For students who are the first in their families to attend college, the journey toward a degree can feel uncertain. Without family experience to guide them, first-generation students often face unique challenges — navigating unfamiliar academic systems, balancing work and caregiving responsibilities, and carrying the emotional weight of breaking new ground.
Penn State World Campus is committed to helping first-generation college students succeed.
As the online campus of Penn State, it offers flexible degree programs that allow students to pursue an education without putting their lives on hold. Whether they’re working full-time, raising children, or returning to school after years away, first-generation students can learn on their own schedules, from wherever they are.
Through personalized support services, a strong sense of community, and initiatives designed specifically for first-gen learners, Penn State World Campus is making higher education more accessible — and more achievable — for students across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Support that meets students where they are
Penn State World Campus offers online degree programs for adults who need a path to education that fits their responsibilities.
First-generation students often face barriers that go beyond academics. Many are working, parenting, caring for family members, or returning to school after years away. Penn State World Campus understands these realities and has built a support system designed to meet students where they are — both in life and in learning.
One of the most impactful resources available to first-generation students — and all online learners — is the Roz and Gene Chaiken Center for Student Success at Penn State World Campus. Launched in 2024 through a generous gift from the Chaikens, the center is a virtual hub that brings together student-facing and academic support services under one roof. It offers robust online college support tailored to the needs of students learning remotely.
One of its signature initiatives, the Smart Track to Success program, offers scholarships and tailored support for eligible students with little or no college experience. The program seeks to build the foundational skills the students need to navigate their first year of college in order to be successful and continue.
Student services such as academic advising, student disability services, and tutoring are among the resources that are also offered through the Chaiken Center.
Building community through student organizations
First-generation students can benefit from connections and shared experiences. At Penn State World Campus, that sense of belonging is fostered through a wide range of student organizations, which are designed to support students learning from a distance and create virtual communities.
One of the most impactful is the First-Generation Student Affinity Group, a space where learners can meet other first-generation students and build a sense of community. The group hosts events, offers peer support, and helps students feel seen and valued in their academic journey.
Other organizations, such as Active Minds and the Psychology Club, provide additional opportunities for involvement, advocacy, and personal growth. These groups help students stay connected, even in a virtual environment, and remind them that they’re part of something bigger.
A Penn State education, on their time
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State education online for more than 25 years. Its flexible programs allow students to access course materials, complete assignments, and engage with faculty and classmates from anywhere on a schedule that fits their lives.
For working parents who are also first-generation students, that flexibility can be transformative. It means they don’t have to choose between education and other responsibilities. They can pursue a degree while working, parenting, or managing real-life demands — and still receive the same high-quality Penn State education as students on campus.
With strong online college support, a strong community, and access to world-class resources, Penn State World Campus is helping first-generation students take the next step toward their goals — and showing them that college isn’t just possible, it’s within reach.
Learn more about the online learning experience through Penn State World Campus.