This study captures the voices and lived academic experiences of first-generation college students at a four-year residential college due to the emergency shift to online classes during the onset of COVID-19. What were the academic experiences of first-generation college students in that virtual environment? What were the challenges posed by virtual learning due to COVID on student learning Based on the literature, several effects across several factors -- including financial impacts, safety, food insecurity, housing insecurity, adapting to online classes, technology issues, and adapting to learning management systems -- impacted first-generation college students more. With those impacts, what were the challenges to learning in an online environment? While most universities and colleges have returned to on-campus classes, we should seek to understand the experiences of our students during this extraordinary time Logically, if we can make known the experiences of first-generation college students and the associated effects on learning, we will have captured insights that would be beneficial to all students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]