The college student population in USA is predicted to increase from 13 million to 21 million between 2003-2015 (Strom & Storm, 2004). This increase along with the exponentially increasing cost of post-secondary education has caused an increase in the financial burden placed on students. Between 2000 and 2012, the two major post-secondary institutions in the South eastern state of USA, where the study was conducted has raised their tuition rates almost 200 percent (Bennett & Wilezol, 2013). The present study used a quantitative approach to determine the relationship between student's financial contributions and student motivation. Student financial contribution was determined by students' personal contributions (loans, scholarships, full and part-time work, and student savings) toward tuition, fees, books, housing, and transportation. The survey was distributed using the College of Education, listserv through the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. This study found that, there is a significant statistical relationship between student financial contribution and intrinsic goal orientation.