Financial Socialization and Its Effects on Food Insecurity Among College Students

College students are not a population the general public would consider food insecure; however, food insecurity while in college can have lasting effects that impact society as a whole. This study examines the effects of financial socialization on college students’ ability to cope with, or mitigate, food insecurity while they are pursuing their education. The methods employed to study this relationship includes a survey and simulation of real-life situations to measure how a student prioritizes their social life, finances and food, as well as how the students were financially socialized and their previous and current food insecurity status. The results of this study provide support for a relationship between financial socialization and food insecurity among college students. Steps should be taken to require financial literacy courses are required for high school graduation in the state of Nebraska. Advisor: Ross Mille