Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate differences between first-generation and non-first-generation college students in the areas of academic achievement, motivation, and perceived social support. Eighty-four individuals were used from a sample of graduate and undergraduate students randomly selected from the California State University, Sacramento student email system SacLink. The sample consisted of Females (64), Males (19), and Other (1). Each participant, solicited through email, completed a consent form, demographic form, and four surveys. Questions consisted of inquiries about student’s college generation status (first or non-first), as well as attitudes, thoughts and feelings towards motivation, academic achievement, and perceived social support. Results suggest there is a statistically significant difference between first and non-first-generation college students in perceived social support FSSQ t(82) = -14.80, p = .00, MSPSS t(82) = -7.12, p = .00, motivation AMS-C t(82) = -14.80, p = .00, AMQ t(82) = -7.12, p = .00, and academic achievement t(82) = -14.80, p = .00.