Financial Resilience and Wellbeing in College Students Within the Sustainable Development Goals Framework

Financial resilience has increasingly captured the attention of scholars, as it directly impacts general well-being, inclusive education, and sustainable economic development. This study provides evidence on how university students view financial resilience, based on their perceptions, experiences, and actions taken to address difficult financial situations in recent times. Thus, it contributes to SDG 3 by promoting economic and psychological well-being; to SDG 4 by strengthening financial education as an essential element of quality education; and to SDG 8 by facilitating development. The scale is based on financial health indicators aligned with the Center for Financial Services Innovation. Data were analyzed using SEM methodology. Findings reveal a three-factor model explaining perceptions of financial health indicators, including lived experiences and resilient actions taken in the face of adverse financial situations. The three-dimensional model is not fully supported, as indicators that do not favor the final model due to low factorial loads are excluded.