April 1, typically known as April Fools Day, kicked off National Financial Literacy Month. Yet, financial literacy, or financial wellness, is certainly no joke.
For the third year in a row, Temple University has held a series of events as part of its own Financial Literacy Month initiative. Throughout April, the Bursar s Office, the Fox School of Business, and other schools and departments across the university will hold various events to inform students as well as alumni, faculty, staff and prospective students of the importance of financial wellness.
Topics covered during the month of events include managing student and consumer debt, budgeting, investing and financial planning. Events for targeted audiences include one designed to help veterans take advantage of their benefits and one intended to help women hone salary negotiation skills.
These programs alone, though, will not work without students making a concerted effort to understand their finances and make smart financial decisions.
The program is designed to help give people the tips they need to succeed now and in the future, said David R. Glezerman, assistant vice president and bursar at Temple. It s especially important for students, because the decisions you make as a young person will affect you later in life.
Below are highlights from Temple s Financial Wellness event series. These events are open to Temple students, alumni, faculty and staff. For a complete list of events, visit the TU calendar.
Money Cents For Students. Joe McMonagle of Santander Bank will discuss important financial issues that affect students now and in the future. Topics include managing student and consumer debt, budgeting and investing. Refreshments will be provided. Wednesday, April 8, 12:30 p.m., Ambler Campus, Ambler Library.
Taking Charge of Your Financial Future: Tips and Tricks for Student Loan Repayment. Doug Schantz, founder of Cheap$cholar.org, will discuss important information about loan repayment. Thursday, April 9, 12-1 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m., Howard Gittis Student Center, Room 200B.
VA Benefits for Future Homeowners. Michael Campo, FOX 06, a licensed real estate agent, hosts an interactive discussion to help veterans and their families take advantage of a VA guaranteed home mortgage and maximize their benefits package. Thursday, April 9, 3-4:30 p.m., Alter Hall, Room 131.
$tart $mart workshop. $tart $mart is an interactive salary negotiation workshop designed to give college women the confidence and skills they need to earn fair compensation. Monday, April 13, 6-9 p.m., Tyler School of Art, Room B82.
10 Important Money Strategies for Life. Susan Feinberg, associate professor in the Fox School of Business, will discuss financial planning, investment strategies, budgeting, managing credit cards and debt, and making major purchases. Wednesday, April 15, 12-1 p.m., Alter Hall, Room 503D.
- Erica Brooke Fajge
Glezerman advises the following tips for students:Borrow from federal loan sources first. If you need to take out student loans to pay for classes, Federal Direct loans will have better borrower benefits and options. You should borrow at the lowest interest rate possible. Keep track of your student loan borrowing. If you don t, you ll experience sticker shock when you get ready to graduate and find out how much you owe during your student loan exit interview. Submit your FAFSA forms by the deadline and read your financial award letter. Because you must apply for financial aid every year, it is possible that finances for you or your family also have changed from year to year. There is no guarantee that you will receive the same amount of aid, even when other factors are unchanged. Track your income and expenses, and create a budget. Not only is it important to know how much money you are earning (you don t want to forget about taxes and other deductions), but it is also important to […]