College stop-out rates have long been a challenge in higher education, and particularly at community colleges. Among those most likely to stop out are first-generation college students, who represent about half of the nation’s undergraduates.
Based on survey and interview data from first-generation college students who stopped out during the fall 2022 term at four Hispanic Serving Institutions in California, this brief examines the reasons these students gave for leaving, the role their social networks played in informing and supporting their decision to stop out, and how they thought about their future, including any considerations they may have had for reenrollment.
The authors find the students in their sample left college primarily due to financial, familial, employment, and other responsibilities, which appeared more difficult to manage when students were uncertain about their academic pathway or were feeling isolated at their college. Students reported relying mostly on family and friends for support when they decided to stop out, and few indicated that an advisor or other institutional actor was a part of their social network. These findings suggest that stronger engagement from institutional faculty and staff could be helpful to first-generation students who are considering stopping out.