Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Department
Learning, Leadership and Change
First Advisor
Delores E. McNair
First Committee Member
Laura Hallberg
Second Committee Member
Belinda Hernandez
Abstract
The rising costs of college attendance and changes in financial aid packages leave students with little option other than to incur a debt of some amount. Unfortunately, colleges often fail to provide adequate financial literacy and student loan information so prospective students planning to attend college can make informed decisions. Student loans may seem attractive in the short term because, unlike other loans, repayment does not begin immediately. However, the accrual of student loan debt leads to long-term financial consequences, including the opportunity to build economic wealth after graduation. Utilizing a basic qualitative research design, I explored first-generation community college students’ experiences with financial aid, financial literacy, and the challenges and individual circumstances of using student loans to fund expenses related to their postsecondary enrollment. A human capital framework supported students informed financial decision-making experiences to effectively persist confidently in pursuing their educational goals. Collectively, students’ detailed statements provided a powerful voice for first-generation students accessing financial resources at the community college. The six themes included (a) Student-Centered, (b) Understanding Consequences of Student Loans, (c) Development of Financial Aid Literacy, (d) Student-Connection, (e) Simplifying Financial Aid Access for Students, and (f) Support From Campus-Based Programs. Findings provide helpful insights for community college practitioners and financial aid administrators.
Pages
131
Recommended Citation
Fuentes, Sandra A.. (2022). Student Loan Debt and First-Generation Community College Students. University of the Pacific, Dissertation. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/uop_etds/3798
Included in
Community College Education Administration Commons, Community College Leadership Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Finance and Financial Management Commons, Higher Education Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons, Other Educational Administration and Supervision Commons
Rights Statement
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