First Gen Day, also known as the National First-Generation College Celebration, takes place on November 8 annually to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The Higher Education Act emerged out of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. The Higher Education Act was intended to help level the playing field that for too long had been weighed against Americans from minority and low-income backgrounds. In addition to creating federal grants and loan programs to help students finance their educations, the legislation made key investments in institutions of higher education. Additionally, it ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates. This date has been celebrated since 2017 nationally.

-- Sourced from the Center for First-Generation Student Success

For more information on First-Gen Students please check out the Center for First-Generation Student Success.