The Academic Impact of Financial Stress on College Students

Abstract

Staying in school and graduating on time is an important factor for students and their families. Greater financial burdens may lead students to reduce coursework or drop out of school for paid work. A Web-based survey (N = 503) was conducted in fall 2004 at a large public university to examine the characteristics of students who experienced dropping out or reducing credit hours due to financial reasons. Analyses were conducted to compare these students with those who did not drop out or reduce their coursework. Findings show the relationship between financial stress and academic performance.

Gender Differences in the Relationships Among Parenting Styles and College Student Mental Health

“…For many of these same reasons, this time is also considered to be a stressful one: Students have to adjust to multiple academic demands, deal with new financial issues such as tuition payment or concurrent employment, and manage new relationships and potential social conflict. 11,12 Student stress rates confirm this assumption, as moderate stress levels are common among students (77.6%). 13 Although severe stress is much less common, it nevertheless occurs at levels that arouse concern (10.4%).…”

Food Insecurity Among Community College Students: Prevalence and Association With Grade Point Average

“…If, in fact, food insecurity is a hindrance to optimal academic performance, students' struggles with food might also be impacting college retention and completion rates. It is well known that low-income students have lower college completion rates than their higher income counterparts (Johnson & Collins, 2009;Joo, Durband, & Grable, 2009), and perhaps food insecurity is a component of this phenomenon for some students.…”

Advising Financially At-Risk Students: Detecting and Addressing Premature Affluence

“…At the least, working for pay slows students on the road to degree completion as sometimes the 4-year trip becomes a 5-or 6-year journey (Donhardt, 2013). The time taken to complete a baccalaureate degree has increased over the past 20 years (Joo, Durbano, & Grable, 2010) for many reasons. In fact, the competing demands of academic and paid work comprise the most recognized reason for a delay.…”

“…However, in addition to facing the challenges created by an inherent economic structure that continues to drive up the costs of attending college, many students struggle with keeping an unsustain able, affluent lifestyle that they enjoyed both before and during the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree (Joo et al, 2010;Shaffer, 2012). Faced with the choice of forgoing a car, buying personal ameni ties, traveling, or partying while attending college, many students choose to work more hours to pay for items or experiences not directly related to college.…”