To study the current state of the sense of gain among impoverished students in higher vocational colleges, a self-compiled “Questionnaire on the Sense of Gain among Vocational College Students” was used to survey 331 impoverished students and 377 non-impoverished students. It was found that the overall sense of gain along with three dimensions of objective support, knowledge and ability, and personal growth, among impoverished students was at the upper-middle level. Impoverished students have significantly lower levels of sense of gain, knowledge and ability, personal growth compared to non-impoverished students. Notably, male impoverished students reported significantly higher levels of the overall sense of gain, objective support, knowledge and ability, and personal growth than female impoverished students. Furthermore, impoverished students who served as student leaders and those from urban areas demonstrated significantly higher levels of knowledge and ability, and personal growth, compared to those who did not serve as student leaders and those from non-agricultural towns and rural areas. Attention should be paid to the level of the sense of gain among impoverished students, with a particular focus on female impoverished students, those who do not serve as student leaders, and those from non-agricultural towns and rural areas. We can enhance their sense of gain by precisely tailoring assistance strategies, optimizing the financial aid service system, and innovating the psychological education system.