Indigent Students in the Academe: The Role of Motivations, Resiliency, Challenges and Needs in their Academic Journey

Indigent students are not surprising in the Philippines but how they can survive in the academe of higher learning makes their story interesting. The study sought to determine the motivations, resiliency, challenges and needs of these indigent students in the tertiary level. This is a quantitative descriptive-correlational method of research employing the use of interview and questionnaire techniques. The 240 indigent students of Tagbilaran City College were the respondents of this study. It was found out that they are extremely motivated in 6 out of 7 motivations. Furthermore, nearly 93% of them are commendably strongly to exceptionally resilient. The challenges on system and time management and non-tuition fee expenses made them feel difficult to survive in College. All the students in the three academic programs have the same needs. Studies and financial management topped among these needs. For them to be helped perform academically better and survive in the academe, financial help, better communication of the lecturers and nutritious food be improved. It is strongly recommended that the school should come up with institutional financial aid policies.