Students’ Perceptions of Student Financial Support Services at the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The quality of support service provided to students in the tertiary institution
landscape is very important. The University of Cape Coast in the past two
years has been providing financial support services to students through the
student financial support office. The student financial support office has
disbursed funds for more than two academic calendars. However, there is
yet to be a study to assess knowledge about its availability, delivery, and
effectiveness as perceived by the students. The study was thus conducted to
assess the student perception of the service provided by the financial support
office. In all, 1041 responses were used for the analysis. Findings of the
study indicated that staff interacted with students with respect, empathy, and
professionalism, communicated well with students, and were well
empowered in responding to students' concerns. The study, therefore,
concludes that the SFSO generally are perceived by students as providing
good service. However, the web page of the SFSO is should be improved
and be made more interactive. The study recommends that to improve and
sustain the service provided by the SFSO, staff should continuously
demonstrate respect, and empathy, exhibit professionalism, communicate
well and be well empowered to resolve students' concerns.