Financial Wellness: A Qualitative Narrative Study on the Perspectives of Offering a Financial Wellness Program at an Online University
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Authors
Ford, Kaycie
Issue Date
2026-05
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Student Success Science , Educational Leadership & Learning Lifelong , Financial wellness , student loan debt , rising tuition costs
Alternative Title
Abstract
The problem addressed in this study was exploring any barriers of offering financial wellness programs in online colleges and universities. This qualitative narrative inquiry study explored university financial aid staff perceptions through their stories regarding barriers of offering a financial wellness program in online colleges and universities. The theoretical framework was influenced by person-in-environment (PIE) theory which allows for understanding on how personal characteristics are impacted by decision making, and a second framework of financial capability. Through purposive sampling, five university financial aid staff were interviewed using open-ended, semi-structured narrative interviews to gather real life experiences of the five participants’ perspectives through their stories regarding financial wellness programs. Collected data was transcribed, reviewed by the participants, and then entered into the NVivo Pro software to conduct further analysis. Braun and Clarke’s six phases for reflexive thematic analysis was engaged, which supported the identification of codes to form six themes that aligned with the three research questions developed for this study. The findings suggest that financial wellness programs are needed in online colleges and universities is necessary to meet the needs of students who are being impacted by high tuition costs and student loan debt. Recommendations include stakeholders and institutional leaders within the online colleges and universities prioritizing offering financial wellness programs in their online institutions in order to meet the financial needs of their students. Financial wellness programs can help students make well informed decisions about their individual financial situations. Future researchers may wish to conduct similar studies with traditional institutions that may further enrich the findings of this study.