The bipartisan resolution recognizes November 8 as “National First-Generation College Celebration Day”

November 8 is also the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 which expanded access to college by providing financial assistance for students pursuing higher education

Senator Reverend Warnock: “This bipartisan legislation celebrates how college can help kids like me live their dreams and I am proud to champion this legislation alongside Senator Marshall”

Senator Marshall: “I’m proud to give a spotlight to our first-generation college students with this resolution and support programs such as TRIO, Pell Grants, and other resources to set up college students for success”

Washington, D.C. – Last night, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) passed bipartisan legislation honoring first-generation college students. The resolution designates November 8 as “National First-Generation College Celebration Day,” which is also the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded access to higher education by strengthening educational resources for colleges and universities and by providing financial assistance for students in post-secondary education.

“I am a proud product of good public policy, and programs like Head Start, Upward Bound, and Pell Grants helped me become the first in my family to graduate from college,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This bipartisan legislation celebrates how college can help kids like me live their dreams and I am proud to champion this legislation alongside Senator Marshall.”

“As a first-generation college student, I know how exciting it is to be the first in the family to attend college. Whether heading to a two-year or four-year school, the journey through higher education is an opportunity and accomplishment that should be celebrated. I’m proud to give a spotlight to our first-generation college students with this resolution and support programs such as TRIO, Pell Grants, and other resources to set up college students for success,” said Senator Marshall.

Additionally, the resolution recognizes the important role that first-generation college students play in helping develop the nation’s future workforces. The resolution also celebrates the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the programs that have helped underrepresented students access higher education.

Senator Warnock has long worked to increase access to higher education for all Americans and has continuously fought to make college more affordable. In June of this year, Senator Warnock introduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, a bill that would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, and automatically adjust Pell Grants for inflation. Additionally, Senator Warnock has repeatedly advocated for federal action to address the student debt crisis impacting millions of Americans and has celebrated the roughly $175 billion in student debt relief for nearly 5 million borrowers through various actions approved by the Biden-Harris Administration.

The resolution text can be found HERE.

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