Access to Higher Education among High School Students: Challenges and Solutions

Problem statement: Although there have been increases in student enrollment in tertiary (university) educational settings in many countries, there continues to be students who experience challenges bridging secondary (high school) and university education. Approach: This study includes a description of strategies used in a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduates Program (GEAR UP) that assisted students whose parents did not continue education beyond high school to pursue a college or university education. Results: The relationship between both student academic support and parent support of students attending college and students’ participation in the college preparation activities (termed university preparedness) in 10 and 11th grades were examined. Conclusion: The analyses showed that higher levels of both types of supports are associating with higher student university preparedness scores and that parent-related supports proved especially important as a determinant of pursuing a tertiary degree.