Educação financeira na prática: um retrato da saúde financeira dos estudantes do Campus IV UFPB

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the financial profile, budgetary management behavior, and challenges related to these categories among students at Campus IV of the Federal University of Paraíba. A mixed-methods, descriptive-exploratory approach was employed, with a random sample of 507 students, corresponding to 15.6% of the target population of 3,250 higher education students. Data was collected through an online questionnaire with mixed and open-ended questions, and the Financial Health Index, guided by Brazilian Federation of Banks, was calculated. The results revealed a concerning scenario: 91% of the student body presented a financial health diagnosis evaluated as "low" or "very low" on the Financial Health Index. Qualitative analysis reinforced the prevailing financial precariousness, confirmed by the lack of income sources, individualism, and unfamiliarity with financial jargon. Finally, the students demonstrated the ability to perceive the severity of their financial unviability but do not translate this awareness into efforts to control their household budget. Therefore, it is suggested that short-term actions are necessary through educational and institutional policies to help them in this educational deficit, through an integrated student assistance approach, with the aim of helping to form an economically independent, integrated, and planned generation.