Copyright (c) 2025 Vision Antataura

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This study analyzed university students’ understanding of credit and credit history, as well as their interest in receiving financial training. The population comprised 3,672 students from the University of Panama’s Regional Center of Coclé. A sample of 94 students was selected, corresponding to a 95% confidence level and a 10% margin of error. A structured survey was administered, and the data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and Pearson’s chi-square test. Results show that most students identify credit as an interest-bearing loan and recognize that a negative credit history makes obtaining new loans more difficult or increases interest rates; however, conceptual gaps remain regarding the effect of interest and the use of credit cards. The chi-square test (p = 0.625) indicated that opinions on the need for training do not differ significantly by academic level. Financial education programs are recommended to strengthen students’ preparedness.