How OHIO Online meets the unique needs of first-generation students

Some of the most significant barriers that prevent first-gen students from pursuing an undergraduate degree are a lack of flexibility, inadequate guidance, and financial constraints. At OHIO Online, our programs and support systems address these barriers through flexible schedules, proactive advising, and affordable costs. Additionally, our student support programming provides our online students with opportunities to form meaningful relationships and powerful career connections outside of the virtual classroom. These experiences are especially valuable for first-generation learners, who often rely on strong networks to navigate higher education with confidence.

Many first-generation students plan to work full-time or part-time jobs to support themselves and their families while attending college. Balancing work and family obligations can make it challenging to manage academic responsibilities without adequate support and flexibility. Working first-generation students, especially those from lower-income backgrounds, can also struggle with retention, academic progress, and completion rates in traditional environments. 

At OHIO Online, programs are designed with working students in mind. Angela Lash, an OHIO Online Academic Advisor with years of experience working with first-gen students, speaks to this: “There are higher demands, not always, but sometimes, from their families, especially if their university is located close to their home, that they know they’re going home to help in addition to taking classes and working. They have additional demands and are balancing responsibilities. So, when I think about how OHIO supports those students, especially in my work, I think of the flexibility of the coursework and the programs being asynchronous.”  

The flexibility of having asynchronous courses allows students to read and watch course materials at their own pace, without having to make sacrifices to their work or family schedules to attend classes in person. These asynchronous materials are highly relevant to their field of study and help students advance (or pivot) their careers. Additionally, OHIO Online offers benefits such as 24/7 virtual tutoring, virtual library services, and remote writing support, which enables students to continue learning without interruption.  

Because of its online format, OHIO Online has expanded its support services to help students navigate higher education—especially those who are new to the college experience and may need additional guidance. Higher Education has numerous acronyms, policies, and procedures that can be intimidating or confusing for students without additional support from family, friends, or university staff. 

At OHIO Online, our advisors take the time to demystify the college experience. When reflecting on her advising experience, Lash said, “I spend a lot of time explaining how things work at a university. Colleges aren’t always intuitive—they have their own language, their own acronyms, and their own systems. I make it a point to normalize that complexity, so students know it’s absolutely okay to ask questions. There are no ‘dumb’ questions.” 

Another one of OHIO Online’s advisors, Lisa Wiseman, discussed how she and the other advisors go the extra mile to ensure students are progressing smoothly through their academic journey. Wiseman elaborated on their student onboarding process, “Once a student is admitted, they receive welcome phone calls and emails from their advisor. These conversations establish rapport and set students up for success. We also conduct semesterly check-ins to ensure students are on track. If a student encounters any problems during their studies, they know that they can contact their advisor.” 

From the program exploration process to graduation day, students can expect to have dedicated staff members to help them through each stage. There’s never any guessing what to do or what comes next. 

Additionally, OHIO Online makes it easy for students who are unfamiliar with higher education to have their questions answered. Virtual orientation prepares students before classes begin, and discussion boards facilitated by professors and staff are readily available at any time. This supportive online environment makes higher education accessible for people from all backgrounds.

Both online and first-generation students sometimes need more help to feel a sense of belonging to their academic institution. Online learning at the right university makes networking and meeting new classmates easy with class discussion boards, peer activities, and group projects. Virtual university events and celebrations can also help foster a sense of collegiate community and belonging without ever having to set foot on campus. OHIO Online offers exceptional networking opportunities for students to connect. 

One of those opportunities is OHIO Online Student Connect, a virtual student-driven community in Canvas. This space provides online students with the opportunity to connect, share, and form friendships that extend beyond the classroom. Students can explore various interest groups, join conversations on discussion boards, send messages, and meet Bobcats from all over the country.

According to Senior Director for Affinity Programs and Student Engagement for OHIO Online, Kathy Wilson, “OHIO Online Student Connect makes it easy for students to find and connect with others who share their interests. Online learning can sometimes feel isolating, and we hope this tool helps students build meaningful connections and feel a stronger sense of pride and belonging within the Ohio University community.”

For goal-oriented students, OHIO Online also has robust career services specifically curated for online learners. Current students receive access to a personal coach, relevant virtual workshops and webinars, and a suite of resources to support students wherever they are in their career journey.

Elizabeth Guarino, Associate Director of Career Services and Engagement, explains that “OHIO Online first-gen students tend to be working professionals who are highly invested in career entry and advancement opportunities as they also invest in themselves and their education. The career services team is passionate about providing supportive, relevant, and innovative individualized services as well as industry-leading programming that leverages proven market strategies to support students meaningfully.

“Wherever students are in their current careers, and wherever they want to go in their futures, we strive to understand the challenges of first-gen students and support them toward achieving their career goals.”

At Ohio University, affordable tuition is a priority. The U.S. News and World Report has named Ohio University as Ohio’s best value college for six consecutive years, demonstrating our commitment to keeping education accessible and affordable.  OHIO Online’s tuition is competitively priced, and our programs are designed to provide maximum flexibility without sacrificing academic excellence or support.

Affordability is one of the greatest barriers that keeps many would-be first-generation students from pursuing a college degree. Traditional in-person programs often make it difficult for students to balance full-time work with their academic commitments, especially for those who are also supporting their families. For first-generation students who are juggling jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and household obligations, these barriers can make attending a traditional program feel out of reach.

Online education offers a powerful alternative for this population because online learning incurs fewer fees. According to recent statistics, an online education degree can be up to $30,545 less than a traditional in-person degree. For first-generation students, that difference can be the deciding factor in whether pursuing a degree feels possible. Additionally, OHIO Online students are eligible to apply for grants and scholarships, just like their in-person counterparts, which can help further offset the cost of higher education.

OHIO Online also offers excellent remote financial aid assistance services to prospective and current online students who may need help with paying for college. Because of our strong financial aid guidance and support, 99% of OHIO’s first year students received financial aid in 2023-2024, and this trend is set to continue as our student supports increase. This level of support is significant for first-generation students, who are less likely to be familiar with the loan, grant, or scholarship application process. 

Ohio University has been selected as a First-Gen Forward Advisory Institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA. The First Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the experiences and advancing the outcomes of first-generation college students. We also offer a First-Generation” Student Success Program, available to OHIO Online students. The program provides support such as priority tutoring, a newsletter tailored to the needs of first-generation students, and the opportunity to apply for a first-generation student scholarship. 

Beyond our distinguished designation, the relationships between our faculty, staff, and students speak to the heart of our mission. As Dr. Thomas Raimondi, Senior Director for Strategy and Operations for OHIO Online, notes, what truly sets OHIO Online apart is the intentional way the institution supports first-generation learners: “Given that Ohio University has an established track record of serving first-generation students, it is not a surprise that our online programs also meet their needs. Ohio University’s culture is a relationship-first institution, ensuring that our community of care extends to students wherever and however they receive their education. When we think about working with first-generation students, our first thought is: how do we connect with them? We know the personal connection is the most important part of our work.”

Once that connection is established, students feel comfortable enough to describe what they need from their online learning environment. Dr. Raimondi says they use this student feedback to address their needs proactively: “Instead of asking how we can transpose what works in person to the online learning space, we ask how we can design the online space to address the unique needs students have told us about. Additionally, the fact that our students always have the name of someone to talk to, not just the resource, is how we ensure their continued success.”

This focus on connection reflects a philosophy that goes far beyond delivering coursework. It’s about creating an environment where students feel seen, supported, and guided by people who understand their goals. By designing online experiences that prioritize meaningful relationships, OHIO Online ensures that first-generation students don’t just access higher education; they thrive in it.