My resolution for this year is to truly get my bag up. As I’m preparing for the next stage in life, I want to be financially smarter so grad school student loans don’t bring me to my knees. I want 25-year-old me to live the life she deserves and 80-year-old me to take multiple trips abroad without making a dent in the money I saved for retirement. Groceries may cost as much as my firstborn in this economy, but it’s still important to make sure my bank account is in agreement with the kind of life I want to live. Thankfully, as an FSU student, there are resources that I can look into that will help guide me to professional help.
unconquered by debt
One resource is Unconquered by Debt. They state that they are a program created to encourage “financial literacy and transform decision-making so that students become wealth creators.” I attended one of their workshops at the request of a friend and genuinely felt that their presentation on retirement kick-started my urge to become a financially smart girlie. They have so many different workshops that take place throughout the semester. You can even speak to their peer mentor if you have a more specific personal question. Make sure to sign up because food is provided, and spots fill up quickly!
money management (care students)
Another opportunity is Money Management for Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) students. If you are a CARE student at FSU, you have access to financial resources. We have partnerships with companies and organizations, like CashCourse and Debt Management Credit Counseling Corp. (DMCC), that will provide assistance with spending, saving, and debt. This can either be for free or discounted depending on the service, so have a look at it. You’re too grown to be guesstimating your way through life.
scholarships
I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but I’ve been constantly searching for scholarships. It may seem pointless if you are already a student at FSU, but undergraduate scholarships exist. FS4U is a database of scholarships that they’re currently providing. The database displays crucial information, such as the amount of money that may be awarded to students, details regarding who can apply for each scholarship opportunity, the deadline for the applications, and the actions one must take before being considered. The list is always changing, so check in with it every so often if you can.
It’s February. If you haven’t completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must be in line to the throne. Regardless of whether you’re secretly the princess of Genovia or not, don’t ignore FSU’s emails to complete the FAFSA. Time’s running out to complete it. For me, it’s something that’s important to take the time to do because you never know what you’ll be offered. Between loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study funds, there’s a wide range of things I may receive. The sooner I’m able to fill out the form, the better!
Whether it’s the resources that FSU provided me with or financial shortcuts I’ve found along my journey, these tricks have helped me become a more financially literate college student. Do what’s best for you, check out what your college has to offer, and happy saving!
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