The Impact of COVID-19 on Winona State University Students' Income

Winona, Minnesota

The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic instability for people across the United States, including college students. A study of job loss in New England in May 2020 found that young adults ages 16-24 experienced an employment loss of 27% from Mid-March to Mid-April 2020 (Fogg and Harrington). Much of the research conducted regarding college students and COVID-19 focuses on the psychological impacts with finances and the economy as contributing factors (Cohen et al.). Sparse research has been undertaken regarding the employment levels of young adults. Limited attention focuses on studying the financial impact that COVID-19 has had on college students, leaving room to examine the changes in personal income felt by college students. This study determines how negatively COVID-19 and the restrictions have impacted students' income at Winona State University. A survey, distributed in Winona State University official Facebook groups, asks questions about changes to employment, income, and assistance from the federal government and university. This study’s findings are essential to groups that advocate for more significant aid for college students throughout the pandemic and after. These findings are also important in the context of the economic downturns and how college students are adversely affected.