Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy
We believe that each student should feel financially empowered through financial literacy. Financial Literacy involves understanding the basics of budgeting, interest rates, how to save money, and how to avoid credit-debt cycle traps. We want our students to feel they have the skills and knowledge to make informed and effective decisions with their financial resources.
As “more than 90 percent of the total college cost for community college students is textbooks, transportation, and living expenses” we want you to have the tools to not just afford your education, but all of the life that surrounds it (The Institute for College Access and Success). The links below have helpful information to guide you in your journey to learning more about the components of financial literacy.
Did you know…?
44% of Americans don’t have enough cash to cover a $400 emergency.
43% of student loan borrowers are not making payments.
38% of U.S. households have credit card debt which is about $16,048.
Financing College
When looking at colleges and financing options, one needs to research schools, academic programs and available financing. These links will help:
Schools/Academic Programs
Paying for College
- https://getschooled.com/dashboard/tool/2540-nhs-scholar-dollars
- https://www.ecmcsolutions.org/education-and-career-planning/index.html
- http://www.easternct.edu/undocumented/financial-aid/
- https://mappingyourfuture.org/Paying/
- https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/avoiding-loan-scams
https://student.globalpay.wu.com/geo-buyer/universityofconnecticut#!/ - http://www.oas.org/en/rowefund/
- https://immigrantsrising.org/financial-support/
- https://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/the-5-key-components-of-financial-literacy
Comparing Financial Aid Award Letters
- https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/financial-aid/financial-aid-award-letter/
- https://www.nasfaa.org/award_notification_comparison_worksheet
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid-awards/compare-aid-calculator
- https://www.consumerfinance.gov/paying-for-college/compare-financial-aid-and-college-cost/
- https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/financial-aid-award-letter
- [App] https://payfored.com/payfored-app/
Understanding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Managing your College Refund
Budget 101
Benjamin Franklin once said “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Learning to budget is a plan to help you to save. Budgeting is the process of creating a plan to spend your money. Creating a spending plan allows you to determine in advance whether you will have enough money to do the things you need to do. Want to learn more on budgeting, check out these links:
- https://www.financialliteracy101.org/financial-education-resources.cfm?cu
- http://www.newhavenfinancialempowerment.com/
These are some tools to help you create a budget and save:
Credit 101
Have your ever wonder why your credit is important? Well, it is the primary number that will determine your life lending abilities. NerdWallet states that your credit scores determine a lot more than the loans you can get and the interest rates you pay. Insurers use credit scores to set premiums for auto and homeowners coverage. Landlords use them to decide who gets to rent their apartments. Credit scores determine who gets the best cell phone plans and who has to make bigger deposits to get utilities. Credit scores determinate your financial leverage. Credit scores are a financial tool.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2blbPDvMZY0
Website to review, improve and get a free copy of your credit reports:
- http://whatsmyscore.org/
- https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
- https://www.creditkarma.com/
- https://www.experian.com/consumer-products/credit-score.html
- https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-order-free-credit-reports-and-get-fico-scores-1798429
Want to learn more about your credit and how to improve it. Check out these links:
Financial Pitfalls 101
There are a lot of financial decisions when it comes to managing, spending and saving your money. As an individual, you will need to figure out how to pay for college, earn some money, and still have enough for retirement. You are going to make some financial mistakes along the way. However, the recovery is important because it will help you manage the costly of your financial mistakes. Financial missteps and pitfalls can cause damage that lingers for decades. So, making sure your finances are in order can go a long way in helping you protect your financial future.
These links will help you map your financial future and help to minimize your financial pitfalls:
These links will help with debt management, student loan issues, home purchase, career planning and retirement:
- http://www.creditcarddebt.org/
- https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
- https://www.youtube.com/user/NonprofitNEFE
- https://www.myretirementpaycheck.org/
- https://www.smartaboutmoney.org/Topics/Education-and-Career/College-Planning/40-Money-Management-Tips
- https://www.bntweb.org/empowerment-resource-academy/down-payment-assistance/
- https://www.cthires.com/vosnet/Default.aspx
- https://blog.ed.gov/2016/01/dont-be-fooled-you-never-have-to-pay-for-student-loan-help/
- https://www.ulsc.org/housing-development
For tax related issues please see the following links:
- https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-you-have-to-pay-taxes/
- https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-benefits-for-education-information-center
- https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
- https://www.irs.gov/individuals/students
- https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1441313659995-38b0760a58131b871d494ddacbf52b6e/EFFAK_2015_508_enabled.pdf