Financial stress has emerged as a growing concern among university students, frequently affecting their academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. This study aims to identify and analyse the key determinants of financial stress among students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seremban campus, Malaysia. Guided by previous literature, this research examines factors such as education level, family income, financial aid, living expenses, debt, part-time job status, CGPA, peer influence, financial behaviour, and financial literacy. This research employed a non-probability sampling design, specifically Convenience Sampling, with a population of 5,996 students and a sample of 375 students at UiTM Seremban campus, Malaysia due to unavaiability of sampling frame. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using multiple linear regression to assess the significance and strength of each determinant. The findings indicate that family income (B40), debt, cumulative grade point average (CGPA), peer influence, and financial literacy significantly contribute to financial stress, with peer influence emerging as the most impactful factor. The results obtained provide invaluable insights for university administrators, policymakers, and financial educators in developing effective strategies to enhance financial literacy and alleviate stress among students.
Khalid et al. (Wed,) studied this question.