Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

Fall 12-4-2023

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Department

Public Health, Department of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Laurie Gavilo-Lane

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

The problem to be addressed in this study is the lack of attention to financial stress among college students. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of financial strain on a college student’s GPA. The study had two aims: 1) to assess financial stress, including loans and the ability to pay for college, impact academic performance and 2) examine causes of financial strain including aid and loans. A cross-sectional survey assessed the effect of financial strain on academic performance among undergraduate students enrolled at Belmont University during the Fall 2023-2024 semester. The sample consisted of undergraduate students at Belmont University in every other First-Year and Third-Year Writing class, as listed on Classfinder. Descriptive statistics were performed in Microsoft Excel and all data was reported in aggregate form. The overall findings suggested that there is financial stress among students, however, it did not affect GPA. A possible explanation for why students did not find financial stress to affect their academics was because they do not pay for their balance owed per semester. A possible recommendation for further research and analysis would be to ask about demographics such as race and ethnicity to see if there is a possibility that those factors contribute to financial strain and GPA. It would also be suggested that further research look at graduate students, and how much financial stress can impact their academic performance.

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