2008 Woodie Awards
FWC helps students manage money
Courtesy of Kasi Beorchia
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Life
A new song blaring across the airwaves asserts that "cash moves everything around me." While this may seem like an overstatement to some, money remains impossible to avoid. Even basic needs, like shelter and food, require money. University student are also subject to managing the costs of tuition and books. Furthermore, finding available time for wage-earning can be difficult in the busy lives of today's college students.
Employment, scholarships and financial aid alleviate some of the financial burdens of the college experience. However, many self-proclaimed "poor college students" confess that they still have little money. Money management techniques can help these students get the "best bang for their buck." A new center on ISU's campus, the Financial Wellness Center, specializes in helping students achieve financial goals and stability during their college experience.
Over one year of careful planning and research precede the October 2007 opening of the Financial Wellness Center, currently housed on the sixth floor of Garrison Hall. "I was thrilled when we opened. I am so glad we are here to give students hope and a way to be satisfied in their financial decisions," commented Lisa Haeberle, the Center's graduate student advisor. The Center provides Family and Consumer Science students with an opportunity to practice skills developed in personal finance classes. Peer advisors associated with the Center are studying to become Accredited Financial Counselors.
Students can now meet with a financial advisor for free one-on-one financial advising. Advisors can help students with topics such as: managing debt and credit, developing a budget, controlling spending and creating financial goals. Students with any financial questions or concerns are welcome at the Center. This spring, the Financial Wellness Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment. To set an appointment, simply call 282-2359.
The primary purpose of the Financial Wellness Center is to promote financial literacy within the university community. Haeberle, a key player in the Center's opening, also related, "I wanted to become a peer advisor because of the research I have been conducting. A University of Nebraska study found that college students are among those with the highest bankruptcy rates in the nation, 80 percent of undergraduates have a balance of $2,200 in credit card debit. Facts like these indicate that students need financial education, and I hope that I can [provide] a service to the students of ISU."
The staff has high expectations for the Center's future. Dr. Susan Jenkins, an advisor for the Center, stated "The FWC will serve the University as a recruitment and retention tool. We hope to involve entering freshman early on so they will gain an understanding of how money problems can negatively affect their higher education…furthermore, the research indicates that a student who is financially stable (the goal of the FWC) will stay in school, perform at a higher level, complete the degree and enjoy the process!"
Employment, scholarships and financial aid alleviate some of the financial burdens of the college experience. However, many self-proclaimed "poor college students" confess that they still have little money. Money management techniques can help these students get the "best bang for their buck." A new center on ISU's campus, the Financial Wellness Center, specializes in helping students achieve financial goals and stability during their college experience.
Over one year of careful planning and research precede the October 2007 opening of the Financial Wellness Center, currently housed on the sixth floor of Garrison Hall. "I was thrilled when we opened. I am so glad we are here to give students hope and a way to be satisfied in their financial decisions," commented Lisa Haeberle, the Center's graduate student advisor. The Center provides Family and Consumer Science students with an opportunity to practice skills developed in personal finance classes. Peer advisors associated with the Center are studying to become Accredited Financial Counselors.
Students can now meet with a financial advisor for free one-on-one financial advising. Advisors can help students with topics such as: managing debt and credit, developing a budget, controlling spending and creating financial goals. Students with any financial questions or concerns are welcome at the Center. This spring, the Financial Wellness Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment. To set an appointment, simply call 282-2359.
The primary purpose of the Financial Wellness Center is to promote financial literacy within the university community. Haeberle, a key player in the Center's opening, also related, "I wanted to become a peer advisor because of the research I have been conducting. A University of Nebraska study found that college students are among those with the highest bankruptcy rates in the nation, 80 percent of undergraduates have a balance of $2,200 in credit card debit. Facts like these indicate that students need financial education, and I hope that I can [provide] a service to the students of ISU."
The staff has high expectations for the Center's future. Dr. Susan Jenkins, an advisor for the Center, stated "The FWC will serve the University as a recruitment and retention tool. We hope to involve entering freshman early on so they will gain an understanding of how money problems can negatively affect their higher education…furthermore, the research indicates that a student who is financially stable (the goal of the FWC) will stay in school, perform at a higher level, complete the degree and enjoy the process!"
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