Page 13 - Payne Research Center ~ Money Matters

P A Y N E C E N T E R . OR G
The selection criteria for participants reflect a commitment to identifying and supporting students with high leadership potential within the HBCU community. By focusing on full-time students in good academic standing and with no disciplinary infractions, the research targeted individuals who have demonstrated a capacity for success and a commitment to their education.
Furthermore, the inclusion of first-generation college students, who often face unique financial challenges, adds an important dimension to the study. More than one-third of the participants were first-generation college students.
First-Generation students may lack the financial support and guidance that students from college-educated families often receive, making financial literacy and well-being initiatives even more critical for their success.
The participation of students from a diverse group of 40 public and private HBCUs enhances the generalizability of the research findings. HBCUs have a rich history of serving African American students and have played a pivotal role in providing access to higher education for generations. However, these institutions and their students often face systemic funding disparities and resource constraints, which can impact students’ financial well-being.
This research acknowledges the unique context of HBCUs and the importance of addressing the specific financial needs and challenges of their students. And while criteria for enrollment for this survey specified needing to be an HBCU student and not necessarily being African American, the majority of students who attend HBCUs are African American as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (2022) as was also the case for this survey. Under this consideration, findings and relevant literature will speak broadly to the experiences of African American students.
P A Y N E CE N T E R . O R G
PAGE 4