A Phenomenological Study Into Perceptions of Female Undergraduate Students in Engineering on Student Loan Debt at the University of Riverbend

Date of Award

5-1-2025

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Educational Leadership

Department

School of Education and Health Sciences

Advisor/Chair

Charles Russo

Abstract

Amid the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, undergraduate students in the United States faced heightened financial strains and increased loan burdens, despite the introduction of President Biden’s ambitious student loan forgiveness initiative, which was later rejected by the Supreme Court. This dissertation delved into the nuanced perceptions of female engineering undergraduates regarding the impact of their student loan debt on both their academic pursuits and future career prospects. Employing a phenomenological approach, this study aimed to capture the perspectives female undergraduate engineering students at a private, four-year, predominantly white institution hold concerning financial aid. This study was guided by a conceptual framework rooted in the pipeline and social cognitive career theories as they provided the basis for constructing interview protocols. These protocols covered various aspects of the interviewed students’ lives, which directly or indirectly influenced their perspectives on financial aid. The data collection involved in-depth interviews with twelve participants enrolled in engineering programs at the University of Riverbend, a private institution in the Midwestern United States. Each participant completed a 60-minute semi-structured interview, complemented by at least two follow-up emails to foster thorough descriptions and profound discussions surrounding their experiences. This research focused on describing the experiences, feelings, attitudes, and perceptions of female engineering students about financial aid, particularly student loan debt. The findings were derived from the analysis of rich qualitative data. Four themes emerged from the data collection: persistent need for financial aid to access higher education, student loans as a source of stress, negative impact of student loan debt on further plans, and limited loan knowledge but optimistic about repayment. Future college students could gain valuable insights into financial aid so as to better plan their undergraduate study. The universities and educators could better understand the unique difficulties faced by female engineering students with student loan debt and provide targeted assistance to help them successfully achieve their undergraduate learning goals.

Keywords

female, undergraduate, engineering students, student loan debt, private university

Rights Statement

Copyright 2025, author.

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