Every month, ScholarshipOwl conducts a survey amongst college students to develop a deep understanding of the important thing tendencies affecting Gen Z.
Given the present financial and inflationary circumstances, in January 2023, we determined to give attention to the impression of present financial circumstances on college students’ capacity to afford the price of faculty. This analysis is particularly essential provided that some research present that some college students are questioning the worth of school. In actual fact, a 2021 ECMC Group survey confirmed that lower than half of highschool college students need to go to a four-year faculty, primarily because of monetary issues.
Who participated within the survey?
In January 2023, ScholarshipOwl surveyed over 9,000 highschool and college-aged college students on the ScholarshipOwl scholarship platform to search out out the breadth and depth of the impression of financial circumstances on at this time’s college students. A complete of 9,108 college students responded to the survey. The respondents consisted of: 63% feminine, 36% male, and 1% who recognized themselves as different. 55% recognized themselves as highschool college students, with the overwhelming majority highschool seniors; 37% recognized themselves as faculty undergraduate college students, primarily faculty freshmen; 5% recognized themselves as graduate college students; and three% recognized themselves as grownup/non-traditional college students.
Survey questions
It was obvious that the financial and inflationary circumstances within the new 12 months had affected hundreds of thousands’ capacity to afford fundamental items, however how did these circumstances have an effect on pupil’s capacity to afford the price of faculty?
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The primary survey query was “Have present financial circumstances affected your capacity to pay for school?” The overwhelming majority (83%) responded “sure”, that the present financial circumstances have affected their capacity to pay for school, with simply 17% indicating no impression.
As a follow-up query, we requested, “To scale back faculty prices, which of the next methods are you planning on?” College students chosen all responses that utilized to them.
The overwhelming majority of the respondents chosen a number of methods. Making use of for scholarships and dealing part-time whereas attending faculty full-time had been chosen most frequently. The total breakdown:
96% are specializing in making use of for scholarships
75% plan to work part-time whereas attending faculty full-time
38% are prioritizing affordability of the school over different attributes (lecturers, popularity, location, and so on.)
29% plan to reside at house and commute to school and/or attend faculty on-line
13% plan to work full-time whereas attending faculty part-time
8% plan to take a spot 12 months and/or delay beginning faculty
6% are contemplating working full-time and never going to school in any respect
The ultimate survey query requested was “If you happen to may earn at the least one scholarship, would you are feeling extra assured within the worth of school? Right here, we discovered a vibrant spot to this survey, with 98% responding that incomes only one scholarship would make them really feel extra assured within the worth of school. This bellwether assertion is a transparent indicator that scholarships really matter. Scholarships not solely cut back the price of faculty, however in addition they reward college students for his or her effort and resiliency, boosting their confidence as they sit up for their future past highschool.
Key Takeaways for Gen Z college students
The survey outcomes clearly point out that the present financial circumstances are having a big impression on college students. Along with financial circumstances, college students are additionally involved in regards to the rising price of school normally. Collectively, this has resulted in college students searching for a extra reasonably priced path to school. Among the options college students are selecting (working part-time or full-time, taking a spot 12 months) could not solely delay diploma completion, however might also end result within the pupil dropping out earlier than finishing, or not attending faculty in any respect.
These findings are coming at a time when the perceived worth of school has declined, even supposing a latest report discovered that adults with a bachelor’s diploma earn a mean of $2.8 million throughout their careers, which is $1.2 million greater than the median employee with a highschool diploma. The report additionally indicated that for each further stage of schooling achieved, employees are inclined to earn greater than these with much less schooling.
And all of that is additionally occurring throughout a essential time for employers, who’re struggling to fill job openings with certified candidates. Companies have a vested curiosity within the school-to-work paradigm, making certain a talented and educated workforce is on the market to fulfill expertise advances and manufacturing calls for.
Manufacturers can assist Gen Z college students forge a extra reasonably priced path to school
Regardless of the challenges confronted, the excellent news is that almost all of scholars nonetheless hope to make their dream of a faculty schooling a actuality. The survey signifies that college students are taking a look at quite a lot of choices to assist fund their faculty schooling, however two options stand-out:
96% of scholars surveyed stated that they’re specializing in making use of for scholarships to scale back their out-of-pocket price.
83% of scholars plan to work both part-time or full-time whereas enrolled in faculty.
Manufacturers Are Effectively-Positioned To Assist Make These Options Occur:
By the ScholarshipOwl for Enterprise platform, manufacturers can create, launch and promote scholarship campaigns to Gen Z college students to assist cut back their price of school.
Manufacturers can nurture their relationship with their scholarship candidates, sharing information and details about their merchandise, in addition to selling internship and employment alternatives.
Manufacturers Additionally Profit By Being Half Of The Resolution:
When a model launches and promotes a scholarship marketing campaign, that model is now “on the radar” of Gen Z. College students will develop optimistic emotions in regards to the model and its merchandise, and be extra serious about studying extra.
When college students apply for a scholarship marketing campaign, they’re opting-in to a relationship with that model. This presents a chance to attach with candidates, after which deepen that relationship over time.
College students searching for internships and employment alternatives will naturally be extra serious about working for firms that care about college students. A scholarship marketing campaign demonstrates the model’s care and concern for college students much better than an promoting marketing campaign would, and does so for a a lot decrease price. A standard promoting marketing campaign makes college students really feel focused fairly than supported, and could also be ineffective in reaching GenZ.
Scholarship campaigns can also fulfill a enterprise’ philanthropic efforts whereas supporting the corporate’s overarching mission and values.
To search out out extra about creating and launching a scholarship marketing campaign that helps college students whereas assembly enterprise and philanthropic targets, go to enterprise.scholarshipowl.com.
