Title
Assessing College Student Needs for Comprehensive Financial Counseling
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
12-2016
Keywords
higher education students, financial status and behavior, psychological barriers, financial education, financial education program components, financial coaching and counseling
Abstract
To meet college student needs for financial counseling, it is important to assess why they seek counseling and the extent to which differing financial situations are tied to financial stress. This study examined these issues with a sample of 554 college students who participated in financial counseling and found financial problems in various situations were each linked to increased financial stress. Financial stress was positively associated with having student loans and other forms of debt and was higher for female students and lower for those having investments. From a needs assessment perspective, it is apparent that college students may be able to benefit more from comprehensive financial counseling than from financial advising that is tailored primarily to a single issue.