Latest News

Coronavirus: Financial Impact on Students and Lost Opportunities

Raider Food Pantry | Photo by Grace Ramsdell | The Wright State Guardian

Raider Food Pantry | Photo by Grace Ramsdell | The Wright State Guardian


While this deadly pandemic continues, so does the devastating financial impact on college students. Wright State University (WSU) students share their concerns while campus support systems continue to provide assistance. 

Student impact  

A study, “Impact of COVID-19 on student experiences and expectations,” published in the Journal of Public Economics, found that nationally 40% of students lost a job, internship, or opportunity while 13% delayed graduation due to the Pandemic. 

Daniel Wasniewski, A WSU junior expressed how he has gone unemployed since August despite applying to eight different positions. He also expressed how he lives with his family due to financial reasons. His mother, the main source of family income, also remains unemployed.  

“We’ve been immensely close to becoming financially unstable,” Wasniewski said.  

Resources  

Luckily Wasniewski and his family have been able to live off built-up savings, yet not all are lucky enough to have these funds. 

“It’s hard to survive without money and when things get shut down or there are restrictions on things, people’s ability to make money is severely impacted and our students are not safe from that,” said Tylar ONeal-White, director of the Raider Food Pantry and case manager in the Office of Student Advocacy and Wellness on campus. 

The Raider Food Pantry is a free service available to all WSU students. They provide food and personal hygiene products to students who may be having financial difficulties. Those wishing to utilize these services can go through a quick sign-up process on their website (Raider Food Pantry | Wright State University).  

Those wishing to donate to the pantry can drop off items at their 055 location in the WSU Student Union. According to ONeal-White, they are especially looking for peanut butter and jelly donations. 

The Office of Student Advocacy and Wellness helps students with housing assistance, mental health services and connects students with social services outside of the university. 

Financial strain’s impact on mental health and academics 

Financial instability can also affect students’ mental health and academic success by causing excess stress and anxiety.  

The Student Success Center helps students who are struggling academically due to this stress and is a connector to other campus services. 

“It’s a great place for a student to come and get connected to other resources they need if they are encountering challenges because of the Pandemic,” said Catherine Hernandez, a student success coach at the Center.  


Jamie Naylor

Editor-in-Chief

Verified by MonsterInsights