Supporting First-Generation Students
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and Arrupe College are remarkably successful at supporting first-generation students. How do they do it?
By Carlos Martinez, Assistant Director of Programs, Come to Believe Foundation
Navigating the path to higher education is a transformative journey, especially for first-generation college students who often face unique challenges. Two mission-aligned, Chicago-based institutions, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School (CRJHS) and Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago, have created robust support systems tailored to these students to support them along this journey. CTB spoke with two leaders at these institutions, Isabel Hernandez (College Counselor at CRJHS) and Isabel Reyes (Associate Director of Admissions at Arrupe College), as well as with both Cristo Rey and Arrupe students, to get a sense of what makes these institutions–and their student-centered supports–so unique and powerful.
Championing First-Generation Students
Both institutions are steadfast in their mission to uplift first-generation college students, many of whom come from low-income backgrounds. As Hernandez notes, “We [CRJHS] specifically work with low-income students who are predominantly first-generation students.”
Arrupe is focused on the same population. Reyes explains, “Most of the students coming to Arrupe are first-generation college students and may not have a lot of experience [with the college process].” As a result, both institutions emphasize the importance of accompanying students and families through the unfamiliar terrain of higher education.
Yet while students’ family members may not have attended college, they strongly appreciate the value of a postsecondary degree. As one Cristo Rey student said, “It’s always been said in my family that you get greater opportunities in society and in general when you go to college.”
Furthermore, for CRJHS students, going to college is not only for their success and personal gain, but it is also a commitment to their community and their family. One CRJHS student told us, “I want to go to college to make my parents proud. They sacrificed a lot to give me opportunities they never had.”
Moreover, these young students want to become a form of representation for their own families. Another student said, “As an older sibling, I want my brother to look up to me and follow in my footsteps.”
Current Arrupe student and CRJHS Alum, Jonathan Grisalez, shared how education is highly valued in his family and among Latino communities more broadly. “As a Latino, families always try to prioritize education, and so that’s what I wanted to pursue as well. That just kind of motivated me to just continue pursuing education after high school.”
Jonathan also emphasized the role of Cristo Rey in shaping his mindset toward college, “Cristo Rey has become a big part of my life…They’re really big on you continuing your education after high school.”
As institutions fully dedicated to first-generation student success, both Cristo Rey and Arrupe are uniquely focused on ensuring these aspirations can be met.
Overcoming Barriers
First-generation students are often unfamiliar with various elements of college admissions including complex processes such as the FAFSA application. One CRJHS student mentioned that “FAFSA was not hard for me because my mom has a social security number, I know for many of my friends, it was a struggle.” Another student mentioned, “Some of my friends are still waiting on their financial aid packages and haven’t been able to commit to a school.”
Both Arrupe and CRJHS recognize these hurdles and work proactively to find solutions to these barriers. When it comes to financial aid, staff members at both institutions–including Hernandez and Reyes–are able to provide clear guidance and high-touch, personalized support.
Grisalez agreed that this support made a big difference. “I remember when I had some trouble with FAFSA…I was really concerned. Luckily, [staff members at Arrupe] were able to help me out and offer me more scholarship aid.”
However, these barriers extend beyond finances. One CRHS student told us, “Failure is a big fear for me. College classes are harder, and I don’t have my family around for support.” Hernandez acknowledged this knowledge gap, highlighting that “It’s hard for them [at first] to understand what college can do.”
Reyes echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for clear guidance through the admissions process and continuing throughout the entirety of students’ time on campus. With this in mind, both Cristo Rey and Arrupe are intentional with the supports they provide, backward planning them from the obstacles most likely to get in the way of student success.
Moreover, Grisalez acknowledged the challenges of transitioning to college and how well Cristo Rey prepared him. “I can definitely say Cristo Rey has overprepared me, and I think they might have gone over the top. I feel like sometimes I'm just like, y’all didn’t have to go this hard.” He also discussed the shift in responsibility from high school to college: “In high school, teachers are on top of you… In college, it’s about you. If you don’t turn things in, you have to be responsible.”
A Holistic Approach to Guidance
As they work to address the barriers facing first-generation students, both institutions focus on supporting the "whole student." Academic readiness, personal circumstances, and career aspirations are integral to student support. This holistic method ensures that each student’s unique journey is considered, thereby fostering students’ confidence, clarity, and a sense of belonging in higher education. At both CRJHS and Arrupe, faculty and staff take time to get to know students, understand their needs and aspirations, and ensure they have access to the specific supports they need.
Because of their experiences at CRJHS, students have learned how important holistic support is. One student stated, “Cristo Rey has a very good team of college counselors. They’re always in touch with us, supporting us with anything we need.” Furthermore, they have been fortunate to receive the right type of support, and even a student gave a shout-out to his college counselor. As one student said, “My college counselor helps me with everything, from the application process to finding scholarships.”
Grisalez also highlighted the role of college counselors at Cristo Rey. “My college counselor, Joanna Mena, and her team made sure I applied to the right colleges, signed up for interviews, and found scholarships.”
He also acknowledged Arrupe’s support system. “[At Arrupe] they have math fellows, bio fellows, and writing fellows. If you have a hard time with a subject, they’ll help you…Talking to my professors and staff like Dean Keys and Viviana Arellano has made me feel so supported.” Beyond the supports Grisalez mentioned, Arrupe also provides breakfast and lunch daily, a laptop for every student, on-site social workers, financial aid, and employer relations staff, and much more.
This holistic support also extends to students’ families. For Cristo Rey, engaging parents in the college journey helps build a supportive home environment. “Parents need to understand what a college day looks like for their child to provide better support,” Hernandez shared. Arrupe also prioritizes family engagement, according to Reyes, hosting events and workshops to demystify the financial aid process.
Closing Thoughts
In reflecting on his college journey, Grisalez reflected on his primary motivation: to be a role model. “I want to be that representation in my community… I want people to say, ‘Hey, I can be a doctor, a lawyer, a businessperson, too.’”
As a first-year student at Arrupe, he stressed the importance of maturity in navigating college. “You have to build yourself up because it’s your life and your future. No one else is going to do that for you.” Nevertheless, his gratitude for Arrupe and Cristo Rey’s staff and faculty is seen not only through his words but also through his commitment to his success and the well-being of his community.
