Student Financial Wellness Survey Fall 2022 Semester Results

Oct 15, 2026

Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS) Fall 2022 semester results synthesize self-reported data from 36,446 postsecondary students at 89 colleges and universities across 23 states. Responses were weighted to align with participating institutions’ total student composition. The report connects students’ financial well-being with academic success indicators, highlights distress and risky borrowing behaviors, and examines financial behavior, knowledge, and decision-making, including students who are parents. Findings support institutions’ strategic planning and student support improvements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages56

Reading Time2 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary

Survey Overview

Distress Indicators Among College Students

Student Success Indicators

Students Who Are Parents

Paying For College

Student Credit Card Use and Risky Borrowing

Financial Behavior, Knowledge, and Decision-Making

Research to Practice

Conclusion

Appendix A: Detailed Methodology and Sample Characteristics

Appendix B: Survey Questions and Responses

Appendix C: Endnotes

[www.trelliscompany.org](www.trelliscompany.org) TRELLIS RESEARCH | NATIONAL AGGREGATE REPORT | MAY 2023 Student Financial Wellness Survey Fall 2022 Semester Results Carla Fletcher, Allyson Cornett, Jeff Webster, & Bryan Ashton About the Student Financial Wellness Survey The Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS) is a self-reported, online survey that documents the financial well-being and student success indicators of postsecondary students across the nation. While not nationally representative, responses were weighted to reflect the total student composition at the participating institutions. The SFWS was designed and implemented by Trellis Research starting in 2018. Since then, 2.4 million students have been surveyed at 231 institutions in 33 states. The SFWS is a free national survey offered by Trellis Company that explores the connections between student finances, academic success, and more. Interested in participating in the Fall 2023 implementation of SFWS? Learn more here: [www.trelliscompany.org/SFWS-get-started](www.trelliscompany.org/SFWS-get-started) About Trellis Company Trellis Company ([trelliscompany.org](trelliscompany.org)) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation focused on helping people leverage the power of post-secondary education and learning to improve their quality of life and the communities where they live. About Trellis Research Trellis Research ([trelliscompany.org/research](trelliscompany.org/research)) provides colleges and policymakers insight into student success through the lens of higher education affordability. With more than three decades of experience studying key issues such as student debt, student loan counseling, and the financial barriers to attainment, our research team explores the roles of personal finance, financial literacy, and financial aid in higher education. Interested in collaborations or need research expertise? Trellis Research welcomes opportunities to inform policymakers and help organizations address their analytical needs. For more information, please contact Trellis Research at Trellisresearch@ [trelliscompany.org](trelliscompany.org) or visit us on Twitter (@TrellisResearch) . Newsletter Subscription Interested in receiving our monthly newsletter, Trellis Research News: Data, Trends, and Insights, via email? Subscribe here: [www.trelliscompany.org/research/data-trends-and-insights/](www.trelliscompany.org/research/data-trends-and-insights/) Recommended Citation Fletcher, C., Cornett, A., Webster, J., and Ashton, B. (2023) . Student Financial Wellness Survey report: Fall 2022 semester results. Trellis Company. Follow us on Twitter @TrellisResearch Table of Contents Preface ...............................................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................4 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 5 Survey Overview........................................................................................................................... 9 Distress Indicators Among College Students................................................................10 Student Success Indicators....................................................................................................16 Students Who Are Parents ....................................................................................................18 Paying For College .................................................................................................................... 20 Student Credit Card Use and Risky Borrowing .......................................................... 23 Financial Behavior, Knowledge, and Decision-Making ........................................

FAQs

What is the Student Financial Wellness Survey (SFWS)?

The SFWS is a self-reported, online survey documenting financial well-being and student success indicators for postsecondary students. It is not nationally representative, and responses are weighted to reflect the participating institutions’ student composition.

How many students and institutions contributed to the Fall 2022 results?

Fall 2022 SFWS was implemented at 89 colleges and universities in 23 states. Trellis surveyed 388,653 undergraduates and received responses from 36,446 students, for a 9.4% response rate.

What topics are covered in the report besides overall financial wellness?

The report examines distress indicators, student success indicators, students who are parents, paying for college, student credit card use and risky borrowing, and financial behavior, knowledge, and decision-making. It also includes a research-to-practice section and detailed appendices.

Oct 15, 2026

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