College students have a lot on their plates — busy class schedules, endless homework, finding internships and preparing for graduation. For many students, however, there’s an additional challenge that overshadows everything else: financial stress.
The burden of paying for tuition, rent and other major expenses can overwhelm students and affect their mental health and academic performance. Financial stress can lead to anxiety, depression and difficulty focusing on their coursework.
“Finances are the number one reason that students end up dropping out of school,” Dana Oster, Financial Wellness program coordinator said. “Our program initiates outreach to students who have balances on their account before they get to that point to provide resources and offer options that will keep students in school and reduce the stress that finances create on other aspects of their lives.”
The Financial Wellness program at Boise State helps students manage their finances by answering questions and providing resources that help them build better habits and access the help they need. It also connects students with a supportive community of peers and advisors who can provide ongoing guidance.
“We really work on the well-being of students as a whole, and we find that addressing finances also addresses academic success,” Oster said.
The program hosts events and offers resources to foster community and provide support. Recently, the Financial Wellness programs hosted a “FAFSA and Fur” event where students could get help with their Federal Financial Aid applications and receive emotional support from friendly dogs. More fun and unique events like it are planned for the semester.
The Financial Wellness program understands that financial stress can greatly impact students’ mental health. It’s one of the reasons why they prioritize creating an environment where students feel comfortable talking about their challenges.
“Financial stress creates a strain on mental health across the board,” Oster said. “If you haven’t figured your money out and you’re having money problems, that takes up a lot of real estate in your brain.”
“Students start to feel inferior and isolate themselves because they don’t feel comfortable asking questions,” Oster said. “It’s my job, and our job across campus, to make things accessible and show by example so students feel comfortable to talk about their experiences.”
Other campus programs exist to alleviate students’ financial stress. The Campus Food Pantry provides resources to students who can’t afford basic necessities.
“Our mission is to alleviate food insecurity on Boise State’s campus by providing nutritious, accessible food to students in need, enabling them to focus on academic success and thrive without the worry of where their next meal will come from,” said Emily Hester, Campus Food Pantry manager. “Food is often seen as a flexible expense that takes a backseat to [other expenses.] As a result, students are frequently having to prioritize these essential needs over purchasing groceries.”
The security that the Campus Food Pantry offers to students worrying about affording necessities is priceless.
“The Campus Food Pantry can be a huge support for students who are struggling with stress and financial challenges,” Hester said. “We provide a no-cost service to students, with no questions asked. Students don’t need to check out or worry about anything other than taking what they need.”
Many students have to work to support themselves while in school. It can be overwhelming to balance class and work schedules. Long hours on top of coursework can be physically and emotionally draining, and many feel they must make sacrifices in their education to afford tuition and other expenses.
Students shouldn’t have to feel this way. That’s why it’s so important for students to be educated about their options and the resources available to them.
“I am a part-time student and full-time employee, so I was able to get the tuition waiver for full-time employees,” said Logan Davies, a student working on-campus. “It’s a huge benefit, but the limited course load means my degree will take longer to complete. That’s okay with me, but future students should consider that it’s a needs-based decision when thinking about their
careers.”
Davies shared some advice to students balancing work with school.
“It’s okay to take a break if you need to,” Davies said. “That’s something I’ve had to learn.”
Financial stress is an unfortunate reality for many students. The burden of supporting themselves through school and paying major expenses can negatively affect academic performance and emotional well-being.
However, Boise State students are fortunate to have resources like the Financial Wellness program, the Campus Food Pantry and more that can help them manage that stress.
Beyond financial and academic resources, students have access to mental health support on campus. University Health Services offers both in-person and telehealth counseling services for a range of mental health concerns.
If you’re a Boise State student facing financial, academic or emotional challenges, know that you are not alone. There are resources and people on campus ready to help you navigate that stress. You don’t have to carry the burden all by yourself. Remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a testament to your strength and resilience.
(208) 426-1212 – Student Financial Services
(208) 426-5117 – Campus Food Pantry
(208) 421-1459 – University Health Services988 – National Behavioral Health Crisis Line
This Post Has 2 Comments
What a great article! So many students can relate to this!
Great article!