This qualitative case study identifies the systemic and explicit barriers that impede the progression from high school to college for first-generation college students (FGCS) at a Small Catholic Secondary School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Evidence indicates that FGCS experience more barriers in progressing from high school to college than their non-FGCS peers. The systemic barriers include the non-cognitive variables of class, culture, race, and ethnicity. The explicit barriers are a lower rate of self-confidence, higher rates of unpreparedness, social stress, the lack of institutionalized cultural capital, and the lack of familial emotional and financial support that impact the FGCS. Findings from the FGCS survey and the post-survey interviews indicate that understanding what these barriers are and the impact of these barriers will assist in developing programs to increase the progression rates from high school to college for the FGCS. [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.]