THE SILVER LINING OF FINANCIAL PROBLEM: AN EXTRAORDINARY

STORY OF HONOR STUDENTS WITH SUCCESSFUL ACADEMIC

EXCELLENCE AWARD

A Thesis Title
 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

In today's generation and competitive academic environment, students

often face financial challenges that can hinder their ability to excel
academically. Financial problem is an earn inability to manage expenses well
and having a poor study financial plan, high debt, low income, difficulties in
managing cash flows, and poor financial literacy (Falahati & Paim, 2015).
However, amidst these struggles, there lies a remarkable story of honor
students who have not only persevered through financial difficulties but have
also achieved academic success.

Also, this narrative sheds light on the resilience and determination of

these students, showcasing how their financial problems have not been a
barrier to their pursuit of excellence. Because according to Moore et al. (2021),
financial stress maybe a barrier to academic success because it prevents
students from purchasing textbooks, causes them to fail academically, and
prevents them from furthering their career goals. In the local setting, financial
problems that yield financial stress affect many students. Financial stress is
not improbable among Filipino students, and government figures indicate that
a sizable fraction of the school-age population suffers from it (Bernardo &
Resurreccion, 2018).

Moreover, separate study cited in Philippine Star on June 3, 2022,

revealed that the authors found evidence that students with an income bracket
higher than the lowest group "may suffice to lessen" depressive feelings
(Madarang, 2022). In addition, the authors argued that the students' economic
standing compared to their peers affects their feelings of depression.
Furthermore, considering the mentioned results from various studies, the
researchers of this study decided to pursue a study related to students'
struggles with money and how they face it. By exploring the experiences of
these honor students at Tantangan National High School, we can gain valuable
insights into how they have navigated and overcome financial obstacles to
achieve academic excellence. Their stories serve as a testament to the fact that
with perseverance and a strong work ethic, students can rise above financial
difficulties and succeed in their educational pursuits. Additionally,
understanding how these students balance their academic responsibilities with
other any responsibilities that can provide valuable lessons for other students
facing similar challenges.

Lastly, by acknowledging the impact of financial stress on academic success,

this study underscores the importance of addressing financial literacy and
support services for students in need. By shedding light on the prevalence of
financial stress among Filipino students and its potential effects on their
educational outcomes, this narrative calls for proactive measures to help
alleviate financial burdens and create a more supportive environment for all
students. Ultimately, studying this extraordinary story of honor students can
inspire and inform efforts to empower students to overcome financial
challenges and reach their full academic potential.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to explore the positive aspects in the

experiences of honor students who have managed to achieve academic
excellence despite facing financial problems. It aims to explain their unique
stories and strategies to motivate and inspire other students.

Furthermore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the experience of

honor students and develop effective coping strategies that can serve as
guidance for other students facing similar financial problem, our goal is to
motivate and inspire other students and help them overcome financial
challenges by the help of this research.
 Indeed, this study will have in-depth interview with honor students of
Tantangan National High school. This study is not only to showcase the
achievements of honor students in Tantangan National High School but also to
contribute meaningful knowledge.

Research Question

This study is sought to answer the following questions:

1. What are the financial problems faced by the honor students?

2. What helps honor students succeed academically despite financial

challenges?

3. How do honor students at Tantangan National High School overcome

financial barriers to excel academically?

Significance of the Study

This study holds significant importance as it sheds light on the

remarkable achievements of honor students who have excelled academically
despite facing financial challenges. The study's findings have the potential to
guide the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions
tailored to the needs of diverse learners in high school settings, thereby
contributing significantly to the existing knowledge base on academic
interventions.

Moreover, the study can provide valuable insights to higher officials in

the Department of Education, inspiring them to support initiatives that
address the needs of students facing financial obstacles. By influencing
educational policies and practices globally, the study can promote more
inclusive and successful learning environments for all students.

Additionally, the study has the potential to benefit teachers by offering

effective strategies for teaching students not only how to read proficiently but
also how to comprehend and engage with the material, enhancing the overall
learning experience. For students, the study offers hope for developing
essential reading skills and fostering a positive learning environment. Future
researchers can also benefit from the study by gaining valuable information
from real-life experiences, while parents can find inspiration in supporting
their children's academic development.

Theoretical Lens

This study is supported by the Economic Stress Model that was

developed by scholars and researchers in the field of economics and psychology
to understand the impact of financial stress on individuals' well-being and
decision-making processes. While there isn't a single author associated with
this model, it has been studied and applied by various researchers in different
disciplines.

Therefore, this theory will provide informations on how financial problem

creates stress that give impacts to the academic performance, well-being, and
overall success of honor students who have achieved academic excellence. This
theory helps researchers understand the unique challenges faced by honor
students dealing with financial constraints, such as pressure to maintain high
academic standards while facing economic hardships. By applying the
Economic Stress Model, researchers can explore the relationship between
financial stress and academic outcomes among honor students, highlighting
the need for targeted interventions and support services to help these students
thrive academically despite financial difficulties.

Delimitation and Limitations

This study will involve 10 honor students at Tantangan National High

School who are facing financial challenges. They will go in depth interview to
provide a detailed explanation about their experiences, coping mechanisms,
and academic strategies.
 To ensure the accuracy of the data, participants will be asked for
permission to record their responses during the interviews. This recording will
facilitate thorough transcription and analysis of the rich narratives shared by
the students. The researcher will collect and analyze the data, seeking to
uncover the nuanced ways in which financial difficulties intersect with
academic achievement among these exceptional students at Tantangan
National High School.

Definition of Terms

Academic excellence award. A recognition or honor given to students

who have achieved outstanding academic performance or demonstrated
excellence in their studies.

Extraordinary. Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or expected; exceptional

in quality, degree, or extent.

Financial problem. A situation where an individual or organization is

facing challenges related to managing their finances, such as debt, insufficient
income, or unexpected expenses.

Financial stress. The emotional and psychological strain caused by

financial problems, including worry, anxiety, and uncertainty about one's
financial situation.

Honor students. Students who have demonstrated exceptional academic

achievement and character traits, often recognized through awards or honors
for their accomplishments.

Silver lining. A metaphorical term that refers to a hopeful or positive

aspect in a seemingly negative or difficult situation.

Organization of the Study

 To present this study well, the researcher will organize it accordingly
based on the concepts being presented in each chapter. There are five chapters
organized for the readers to easily grasp the objectives of this study.

Chapter 1 presents the background of the study, the purpose of the

study, the research questions, the significance of the study, the theoretical
lens, its delimitations and limitations, the different definitions of terms, and
how the study will be organized.

Chapter 2 introduces the various related studies about the reading

intervention program. This will give readers further studies that influence and
give related insights about this study.

Chapter 3 is all about how the study will be done. It will present who is
involved and how the data will be analyzed and gathered from the participants.
Selected teachers will be the participants of this study, and with their
cooperation, here in this chapter, the process will be presented with
confidentiality and trustworthiness of the gathered data as well as their
identities.

Chapter 4 presents the findings of the study, which will be structured

logically to convey the results of the analysis.

Chapter 5, which is the final chapter of this study, will feature the
discussions and conclusions based on the results of the study. It will formulate
the documented result of the gathered and analyzed data from the participants.
These chapters will also discuss its implications, comparing it to the existing
literature and addressing any limitations or potential areas for future research.
 Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter contains essential related literature including research,

from the other online resources that provide significant and additional needed
data for this study. The aim is to investigate the impact of financial challenges
on the academic achievement of honor students and explore how they have
overcome adversity to excel academically.

Financial Problem

Financial problems are commonly faced by everyone, especially for those

who come from underprivileged or low-income families. It's also a vital issue for
everyone, especially students. Most students have to struggle to make ends
meet as they come from underprivileged families. Thus, students have to make
difficult decisions whether to spend money on food or other essential needs;
and others have to go through health issues that took a toll on their financial
situations (Perman, 2019). With the lack of financial, hence students faced
financial problems to adapt to the high cost of living. Financial is a severe issue
that lingers among university students and might affect their academic
performance.

Effect of Financial Problem on Students

Additionally, according to Widener (2017) mentioned that there are two

ways of how a financial problem could affect the student’s academic
performance which are health problems and having to work part-time. Widener
(2017) further added that financial problems lead to health problems such as
anxiety which then leads to negative behaviors such as addiction to alcohol or
uncontrolled shopping, hence making the students lose their focus on their
academics. When students face financial problems to cope with the high cost of
living, they are more exposed and vulnerable to health problems. Therefore,
here comes the issue of whether students who have financial problems can
handle the stress of managing their daily lives and finance. According to Asri et
al. (2017) stated that poor financial management could cause an individual
unable to control the stress and thus it affects their daily life such as heal
making them depressed and becoming physically ill. This can be further
supported by the study of Asri et al. (2017) which stated that one of the causes
of stress among students is because of their financial problems in which the
students tend to feel dizzy and have anxiety that will eventually create tension
with them.

Effects of Financial Stress on Students

Financial stress may be defined as the inability to meet one's financial

obligations, but can also include psychological or emotional effects (Northern et
al., 2010). Much of the literature on financial stress has focused on stress
outcomes. Research has documented the following negative outcomes of
financial stress: (a) depression (Andrews & Wilding, 2004 S: Andrews Clark-Le-
Lempers, Lempers, & Netusil, 1990), WD anxiety (ng 2004). (c) poor academic
performance (Andrews & Wilding 2004; Harding (d) poor health (Northern et
al., 2010), and (e) difficulty persisting towards degree completion (Letkiewicz, L
in press; Joo, Durband, & Grable, 2008; Robb, Moody, & Abdel-Ghany, 2011).
Other research has focused on coping behavior of financially-stressed students,
such as seeking help (Britt et al., 2011; Lim, Heckman, Letkiewicz, Fox, &
Montalto, 2012).

Secondly, a study from Widener (2017), they mentioned that financial

stress has been consistently related to the students' low academic
performance. According to a study by Asri et al. (2017), mentioned that there
are many factors that contribute to student’s academic performance. However,
family socio-economic are the significant factors as it involves financial
management which will provide motivation for the students to either have
passion or not to achieve in their academics.
 In addition to that information, according to Dang and Bulus (2015),
stated that many Americans are affected by the economic downfall. Even
college students often worry about their finances, which then this financial
worry may affect their academic performance as the students are dividing their
attention between financial and academic. Hence this can be stated that the
family's finances are motivation and encouragement for the students to have a
good academic performance. Asri et al. (2017) added that when a highly
motivated student encounters a financial problem, the student will turn the
problem into motivation for them to achieve success. Therefore, whatever
problems that come, which include financial problems, should not hinder the
students if they want to succeed academically. This paragraph states, that the
students who are more into their learning, tends to turn their problems
whether financially or not, into a motivation. A motivation for them to move
forward and to gain more learnings, making them achieve awards that’s
enough for them to somehow cope up with their stress.
 Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, the researcher focuses on the methodology used to

examine the story of honor students with successful academic excellence
award despite facing financial problems. It clarifies the research approach
chosen to investigate the exceptional academic achievements of students
dealing with financial challenges.

Research Design

In this research, the phenomenological research design is used to

understand the lived experiences of honor students who have overcome
financial challenges, focusing on The Story of Honor Students with Successful
Academic Excellence Award despite facing financial problems. By employing in-
depth interviews and qualitative analysis, the study seeks to unveil the unique
perspectives, emotions, and meaning-making processes associated with their
academic journey, providing rich insights into the phenomenology of achieving
academic excellence amidst financial difficulties.

Role of the Researcher

We, the researcher, will conduct the study and actively engage with the
process of gathering needed information for this study. We will conduct an in-
depth interview to the participants of this study. We will ask permission to
record our conversation for better gathering of data and will transcribe it
accordingly. And will collaboratively work together for this study.

We will carefully interpret the gathered data and make sure that the
result will contribute to the body of knowledge for future references of the
teachers and future researchers.
 The study will be undertaken by the researcher, actively involved in
collecting the necessary information. In-depth interviews will be conducted
with study participants, seeking permission to record conversations for more
effective data collection, which will be transcribed accordingly. And will
collaboratively work together for this study. The goal is to contribute valuable
results to the body of knowledge for the benefit of teachers and future
researchers.

Research Participants

The participants of this study will be 10 selected honor students from

HUMSS strand who have excelled and manage to achieve academic excellency
award even though suffering from financial problems.

They will be respectfully asked for their approval to participate in

conducting this study. Upon agreeing to be the researcher’s sources of
information for this study, there is an assurance from the researcher that all of
the data gathered will be shared openly while hiding their identity for security
purposes.

There will be 10 selected HUMSS students of Tantangan National High

School who excelling academically, as the participants of this study that will
undergo to an in-depth-interviews which will be recorded with their permission
to gather the needed information accurately and comprehensively.

Data Collection

In depth interview of selected honor students of Tantangan National high

school on how they become honor students despite facing financial problems.
we will Seek consent from the selected honor students, ensuring they
understand the purpose and voluntary nature of their participation. Interviews
will be scheduled in convenient time for participants, ensuring minimal
disruption to their academic responsibilities
 Interviews will be conducted in a private and confidential setting,
fostering an atmosphere conducive to open communication. Active listening to
encourage participants to share their experiences openly and candidly
(Seidman, 2013). Each interview is anticipated to last approximately 30-45
minutes.

With the teachers’ consent, interviews will be audio-recorded to capture

the richness of their narratives accurately. Transcription services will be
utilized to convert spoken words into written text, facilitating a detailed
analysis of the interview data (Fontana & Frey, 2005).

This in-depth interview approach, rooted in qualitative research

methodologies, aims to generate rich, contextually embedded data that will
contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the story of selected honor
students of Tantangan National High School on how they become honor
students despite facing financial problems.

Data Analysis

The researcher will carefully study the gathered data from the interviews.
This is to learn what the participants think about how they become honor
student despite facing financial problem. This part explains how to analyze
data. It focuses on a careful method for understanding and making sense of the
narratives expressed and shared by the participants the researcher interviewed
in an organized way.

The researcher will firstly do a thematic analysis. As outlined by Braun

and Clark (2006), it will be employed to identify, analyze, and report patterns
(themes) within the qualitative data. Thematic analysis provides a flexible yet
systematic approach to explore rich and detailed textual information, allowing
for a comprehensive understanding of the participants' experiences.
 Next will be the coding process. The coding process will begin with open
coding, where initial codes will be assigned to segments of the interview
transcripts. This phase involves a line-by-line examination of the data to
identify patterns and concepts. Codes will be generated inductively from the
data itself, capturing the essence of participants' experiences (Saldaña, 2016).

Third process will be Refining and Defining Themes. Themes will be

refined through an iterative process of constant comparison. The researcher
will continually compare data within and across interviews to ensure the
coherence and distinctiveness of themes. Clear definitions and boundaries for
each theme will be established, enhancing the reliability and validity of the
analysis (Miles, Huberman, & Saldaña, 2014).

Fourth step will be Interpretation and Contextualization. The

interpretation will involve considering the context of Tantangan National High
School, acknowledging the different experiences of the the participants from
the analyzed data they shared. Contextualization has a pivotal role for
providing an understanding on how reading interventions are being conducted
and experienced within this specific setting.

Lastly, the presentation of findings which will be presented in a narrative

format, utilizing direct quotes from participants to illustrate key themes. This
reporting style enhances the transparency and authenticity of the research,
allowing readers to connect directly with the participants' voices and
experiences (Creswell & Creswell, 2017).

Ethical Considerations

For this qualitative study, a critical ethical factor has specific

ramifications. These problems and worries can primarily result from the
approach used in this study. The ethical considerations in this research were
concerned with the proper conduct of the study, confidentiality, and
anonymity. The RMMC Ethics and Review Committee’s requirements for ethical
consideration were adhered to in this study, especially when it came to the
population and data, including but not limited to:

Privacy and Confidentiality. Participants will have the option to join

without expecting any consequences, payment, or loss of benefits. Following a
discussion on the study's objectives and benefits, participants' rights to
contribute to knowledge will be thoughtfully acknowledged. Coercion will not
be employed to force participation, and individuals are free to withdraw from
the study if they feel uncomfortable at any point.

Informed Consent Process. Potential research participants will receive

comprehensive information about the research goals, procedures, advantages,
and limitations. Written consent will be obtained from respondents, confirming
their voluntary participation. The consent form, signed by respondents,
specifies their voluntary agreement to join the study, eliminating the need for
parental approval as participants are consenting adults. Respondents'
identities will remain undisclosed in the survey, ensuring the confidentiality of
their answers. Participants will be explicitly informed of their right to withdraw
from the study at any point.

Moreover, the researcher will secure any collected data, and the release
of information will adhere to a stringent informed consent process. Participants
will have control over their personal information, mitigating concerns about
potential unintended use of data or information.

Recruitment. The respondents will be informed about the study's

inclusion purpose. The researcher will provide an explanation of the study's
objectives to aid the respondents in better understanding its fundamentals.
Additionally, the researcher will clarify the study's purpose and significance
beyond the formal letter.
 Risk. The research will proceed only if there is a favorable balance of
benefits over risks. Ensuring the safety of participants is equally crucial, with a
primary focus on their well-being. Additionally, participants will be protected
from harm by maintaining the confidentiality of their identity, prioritizing their
safety and security. As the researcher, we will take responsibility for ensuring
that participants are psychologically, physically, and socially prepared. Efforts
will be made to guarantee that respondents do not encounter any discomfort or
awkwardness while responding to survey questions.

Benefits. Since the results of this study will use to improve academic
achievement, the respondents will benefit from it. Thus, the goal of this study
is to support secondary teachers, particularly those working with students.
Additionally, in order to accomplish beneficence in research, the investigator
took all necessary precautions to ensure that the lives of the respondents
would not be harmed and that the associated studies would benefit from future
endeavors. The growth of meaningful learning is the most important factor in
reaping the advantages.

Plagiarism. There will be no hint or proof that the study will misinterpret
someone else's work. Plagiarism detectors such as Grammarly and Turnitin
will be used to assess the study. Positive character and integrity—qualities
linked to moral virtues and values—are essential for researchers. To produce a
trustworthy research report, the researcher also needs to be more
knowledgeable about the concept of plagiarism.

Fabrication. There will be no hint or evidence in the report that the work
will be intentionally misinterpreted. Thus, there will be no fabrication of
information or outcomes, nor there will be presentation of incorrect
conclusions. Rather, the investigator will utilize and combined information-
related ideas with additional inferential notions.

Falsification. There will be no indication that the study will be

overstated or exaggerated anything, nor will it deliberately falsify the data to
meet a model or theoretical expectation. Furthermore, this study will not follow
any protocols for data manipulation, which includes making claims based on
incomplete information or omitting crucial aspects, or using supplies,
equipment, or techniques that could mislead people.

Conflict of Interest (COI). There will be no indication of a conflict of

interest in the study, such as the disclosure of conflicts of interest (COI), which
is a group of situations in which a professional's assessment of a primary
claim, such as the welfare of participants or the validity of the research, is
influenced by a secondary interest, such as recognition or financial or
academic gains. In addition, the respondents will never be coerced into
participating in the survey by the researcher, who had no authority or
influence over them.

Deceit. There will be no proof that the study will misrepresent any
dangers to the participants. Everyone that will take part in an investigation has
rights zealously upheld, particularly if they had obtained higher education. As
a result, appropriate and fair criteria must be adhered to.

Permission from Organization/Location. The researcher will adhere to

protocol. After getting the go-ahead from the RMMCERC committee, adviser,
and panelists, the researcher will send an official letter to the division
superintendent of the school requesting permission to perform the study.
Subsequently, the researcher will compose an official letter address to the
district supervisor and school principal of the participating schools, enclosing
the school's division superintendent's endorse letter. Before distributing the
survey to the participating public elementary school teachers, they will undergo
to an orientation first.

Technology Issues. The researcher will use technology to disseminate

the findings, particularly to those respondents who are difficult to contact. To
compile survey results and responses into a single data set that is ready for
analysis, doing research using an online survey will be utilized. With the help
of technology, gathering information from the targeted respondents will be
made simple by using an online survey questionnaire. Participants will also be
provided a clear instruction on how to interpret information communicated in
an online environment, as well as provisions for the use of online panels and
online data collection.

Authorship. Finally, the conduct of the study will take authorship

qualifications into account. The study's successful publication was attributed
by the researcher to a number of individuals, including the research adviser,
statistician, head of school and/or principal, and panelists who will make
significant contributions to the study that resulted in its publication.

References

Bernardo, A. B., and Resurreccion, K. F. (2018). Financial Stress and Well-

being of Filipino Students: The Moderating Role of External Locus-of-
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Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology.

Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative,

quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publications.
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Falahati, L., & Hj. Paim, L. (2012). Experiencing financial problems among
university students: An empirical study on the moderating effect of
gender. Gender in Management, 27(5), 315-330.

Madarang, C. R. S. (2022, June 3). Financial woes causing depressive feelings

among Filipino college students.

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Publications

Sani, R. (2019, April 3). Money woes at university. New Straits Times.
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in education and the social sciences. Teachers College Press.

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