Accounts of Lived Experiences of Senior

Accounts of Lived Experiences of Senior
High School students who are
Financially Unstable
CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
Introduction
O Students who are financially unstable often face a range of challenges in

accessing and succeeding in higher education. High tuition fees and other school-
related expenses can be a significant burden, forcing them to make difficult choices
about how to allocate their limited resources. Inadequate infrastructure and resources,
such as outdated equipment and limited access to textbooks, can also make it much
more difficult for them to succeed academically.
Despite these challenges, financially unstable students are often determined to

succeed and pursue various coping strategies to overcome them. These may include
working part-time jobs, applying for scholarships and financial aid, and forming study
groups to share resources and knowledge.
The financial instability experienced by these students can have a significant

impact on their academic and personal lives. They may experience stress and anxiety
about their financial situation, which can affect their ability to concentrate and perform
well in school. They may also have to sacrifice social opportunities and extracurricular
activities in order to make ends meet. Understanding the lived experiences of financially
unstable students is essential for developing effective policies and programs to support
them and ensure that they have the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve
their full potential.
I Limited research has been conducted on the lived experiences of financially

unstable students in Laos. However, it is known that poverty is a significant issue in the
country, with many families struggling to afford basic necessities such as food and
housing (UNDP, 2019). As a result, many students in Laos face significant financial
barriers to accessing and succeeding in higher education.
According to a report by the Ministry of Education and Sports in Laos, the
majority of students who drop out of school do so due to financial constraints, such as
the inability to afford tuition fees and school-related expenses (Ministry of Education and
Sports, 2019). Furthermore, students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Laos may
have limited access to educational resources and infrastructure, such as textbooks and
computer labs, which can further hinder their academic success.
Addressing the financial challenges faced by students in Laos and other ASEAN
countries requires a multifaceted approach, including government support for education
funding and programs to provide financial assistance and scholarships for low-income
students. Efforts to improve access to educational resources and infrastructure are also
crucial for ensuring that financially unstable students have the tools and support they
need to succeed in higher education.
P According to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority, poverty incidence

among families in the Philippines was estimated at 16.6% in 2020 (Philippine Statistics
Authority, 2021). This means that many families struggle to make ends meet, including
paying for higher education for their children. Additionally, the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) reported that the average cost of tuition and other school fees in
private higher education institutions in the Philippines for school year 2020-2021 was
PHP 127,000 ($2,522 USD) per year, which is a significant amount for many families
(Commission on Higher Education, 2021).
Furthermore, a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development

Studies (PIDS) found that financial constraints are a major barrier to higher education in
the Philippines, particularly for students from poor families (Aguilar & Alberto, 2021).
The study also found that financial assistance programs, such as scholarships and
grants, are not well-targeted and often do not reach the students who need them the
most.
Overall, these findings highlight the significant challenges faced by financially

unstable students in the Philippines in accessing and succeeding in higher education.
There is a need for greater investment in financial aid programs and infrastructure to
support these students and ensure that all students, regardless of their financial
background, have the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their full
potential.
L A qualitative study conducted by Dela Rosa and de Guzman (2018) in the

Philippines explored the lived experiences of financially unstable college students. The
study involved interviews with 10 students who were all recipients of financial
assistance from the university they were attending.
The study found that financially unstable students face a range of challenges that
affect their educational experiences. One major challenge identified was the lack of
access to basic necessities such as food and housing. Some students reported that
they often had to skip meals or eat cheap, unhealthy food in order to save money.
Others mentioned that they had to live in cramped or substandard housing because
they could not afford better accommodations.
Financially unstable students also reported feeling a sense of shame and stigma
because of their economic status. They described feeling embarrassed about not being
able to afford certain things that their peers took for granted, and some even avoided
socializing or participating in extracurricular activities because they felt that they did not
belong.
In addition to these challenges, financially unstable students also reported

struggling to balance their academic responsibilities with their work and personal
obligations. Many of the students in the study had part-time jobs or other sources of
income to support themselves and their families, but found it difficult to balance their
work schedules with their academic demands. This often resulted in poor academic
performance and feelings of stress and overwhelm.
The study highlights the significant impact that financial instability can have on
students' educational experiences and wellbeing. It underscores the need for greater
support and resources for financially unstable students, including financial assistance,
access to basic necessities, and academic and emotional support to help them
succeed.
U The urgency of the study about the lived experiences of students who are
financially unstable lies in the fact that financial instability has a significant impact on
their academic experiences, mental health, and overall well-being. Financial instability
can create a range of challenges that affect their ability to succeed in school, including
the inability to access basic necessities, the need to work long hours to support
themselves and their families, and a lack of emotional support and resources.
Given the increasing costs of education and the current economic climate, more
and more students are likely to face financial instability during their academic careers.
Therefore, it is important to understand the challenges that financially unstable students
face and to identify ways to support them in their educational endeavors.
By understanding the lived experiences of financially unstable students,

researchers and educators can work to develop effective interventions and support
systems to help these students succeed. This can include providing financial
assistance, access to basic necessities such as food and housing, academic and
emotional support, and other resources to help them overcome the challenges they
face.
Ultimately, the urgency of this study lies in the need to support financially
unstable students in their academic journeys and to ensure that they have the
resources and opportunities they need to achieve their goals and succeed in their
chosen fields.
R While there has been significant research conducted on the lived experiences of
students who are financially unstable, there are still some gaps in our understanding of
this population.
One research gap is the lack of studies that explore the experiences of financially
unstable students in specific regions or countries, particularly those in developing
nations. For example, while there have been studies conducted in the Philippines and
other ASEAN countries, there is still a need for more localized research that can provide
insights into the unique challenges faced by financially unstable students in these
contexts.
Another research gap is the need for more longitudinal studies that follow
financially unstable students over time, in order to gain a better understanding of how
financial instability impacts their academic experiences and overall well-being in the
long-term. This would provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of interventions
and support systems, and could inform the development of more effective strategies for
supporting financially unstable students.
Finally, there is a need for more research that examines the intersectionality of
financial instability with other forms of marginalization, such as race, ethnicity, gender,
sexuality, and ability. This would provide a more nuanced understanding of the
experiences of financially unstable students who face multiple forms of oppression, and
could inform the development of more targeted and effective support systems for these
students.
Overall, while there has been significant research conducted on the lived
experiences of financially unstable students, there are still important research gaps that
need to be addressed in order to develop more effective strategies for supporting this
population.

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Accounts of Lived Experiences of Senior

High School students who are

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

O Students who are financially unstable often face a range of challenges in

Despite these challenges, financially unstable students are often determined to

The financial instability experienced by these students can have a significant

I Limited research has been conducted on the lived experiences of financially

P According to a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority, poverty incidence

Furthermore, a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development

Overall, these findings highlight the significant challenges faced by financially

L A qualitative study conducted by Dela Rosa and de Guzman (2018) in the

In addition to these challenges, financially unstable students also reported

By understanding the lived experiences of financially unstable students,

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