By: Konner Marsh
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Kade Black is a business major from Little Rock, Arkansas who’s securing his legacy in his family.
He is a first-generation student who began college two years ago, hoping to become the first person in his family to earn a college diploma.
His family also grew up in Little Rock, but neither pursued higher education after graduating from high school.
However, Kade decided in 2021 to attend college and earn the Black family a college degree.
“It feels good to be the first person in my family to graduate,” said Black.
College hasn’t come without its challenges though, according to Black.
Black is a member of the United States National Guard, and has his tuition paid for by the Tuition Assistance Program.
However, some first-generation students go through financial hardships in college.
Last week, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture will supply university students with more than $200,000 in grants.
These grants are solely for first-generation agriculture students that attend any of the seven University of Arkansas’ community colleges before continuing their education in Fayetteville.
Jacquelyn Mosley, the assistant dean of the U of A’s Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences secured this grant for students.
The Arkansas Multicultural Scholars FIRST Program will facilitate the distribution of these scholarships.
AR-FIRST stands for Facilitating Inclusion, Reaching Students Together.
Their mission is to uplift and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups, one of those being first-generation students.
The university will use this grant to fund 10 scholarships for the next five years.
Ten first-generation students will be able to attend college completely free, as each scholarship covers full tuition and fees for the two years they attend Arkansas.
The application period opens Jan. 1, where all applicants must be fully admitted students to the U of A.
Mosley says this funding will serve a greater purpose.
In a press release, Mosley says “AR-FIRST will not only impact the U of A, but also the State of Arkansas and its agricultural industry.”
The university also provides activities and resources for first-generation students of any major.
The 360 Program gives first generation students opportunities to make college easier.
Students are paired with a mentor that guides them through the entirety of their academic journey.
Kade Black says he wishes he would have had these resources before entering college.
“I wish I would have had some help navigating college beforehand, since my parents couldn’t really give me any advice,” Black said.