Join UAB Student Affairs as we celebrate the National First-Generation College Celebration to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
On November 8, 2022, UAB will host a First-Generation College Celebration, honoring the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Students, faculty, and staff can enjoy various activities focused on celebrating the success of first-generation students. All events are free for students, faculty, and staff with their Engage Event Pass or Blazer ID.
It's Cool to be 1st Gen!
Hill Student Center, Performance Lounge
1-4 p.m.
Join us for an ice cream sundae bar, good music, and a 360-photo booth. First-Gen students, faculty, and staff can also pick up a first-gen button and/or lapel bin to celebrate their first-gen status all year.
A Conversation with Dascha Polanco
Alys Stephens Center, Jemison Concert Hall
7 -8:15 p.m.
Join us for an intimate conversation with first-generation college student Dascha Polanco. You may know Dascha from the hit Netflix original series "Orange is the New Black" or the motion picture "In the Heights." She'll share her experience navigating college life and what she learned along the way. First-Generation students who attend this event will be eligible to participate in a video contest to win scholarship money. You must attend the event to enter, so make sure to take advantage of it!
Questions regarding the First-Generation College Celebration can be directed to the Office of Student Involvement & Leadership at getinvolved@uab.edu.
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965
The Higher Education Act was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965. The purpose of the Higher Education Act was to strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance to students in postsecondary and higher education. The legislation enabled many to attend college who would not otherwise have had the chance. It covered many bases, including the provision of federal resources for continuing education, community service programs, and stronger library programs and library instruction. In addition, the law supported cooperative arrangements between colleges and universities and the establishment of a National Teacher Corps to attract teachers to underserved institutions. The most far-reaching component was the reduction of financial barriers to attending college. 1965 marked the beginning of a coordinated federal effort to address the issue of financial aid for all students with the establishment of low-interest federal student loans. A subsequent reauthorization of the Act in 1972 led to the creation of the Pell Grant program, which provides need-based grants for students at middle- and lower-income levels. The Higher Education Act undergoes reauthorization through the Federal Negotiated Rulemaking Act procedures. Negotiated Rulemaking is the process Federal Agencies use when there are proposed changes to administrative regulations. Government agencies and affected interest groups gather to comment and negotiate terms of these changes. The Higher Education Act has been reauthorized 9 times: 1968, 1972, 1980, 1986, 1992, 1998, 2008, 2020, 2022.