The COVID-19 Effect: How Student Financial Well-Being, Needs Satisfaction, and College Persistence Has Changed

Millions of students experienced increased levels of stress and worries about their college pursuits as they were forced to abrupt pivot to online and hybrid learning due to the global pandemic. Drawing from the theory of human needs, this study examined the extent to which COVID-19 influenced the relationship between financial well-being, needs satisfaction, and college persistence among undergraduate college students. Findings suggest financial well-being and needs satisfaction predicted college persistence. We also found that as social belonging (group connection) and self-actualization (academic achievement) increase, college persistence decreases. Both needs satisfaction and financial well-being were important and of critical nature, pre-pandemic, and were amplified for students during the pandemic. Suggestions on how university administrators and faculty can support their students amid crises, such as COVID-19, are provided.