4 Tips to Make the Most of National Financial Literacy Month

Have you received several mail offers for loan qualifications and/or acquired a few credit cards? Perhaps your personal budget includes saving for a car or a much-needed vacation, and you are still trying not to spend money on a daily cup of coffee. Choices, choices, and more choices are going to arrive much quicker than you can think while living the college life. But the ultimate question is, where does your personal funds come from after you’ve paid the rent for your dorm and renters’ insurance? What is the next step after establishing a decent credit score? There are so many questions and not enough hours in your schedule right now to find the answers. But don’t give up.

April is the National Financial Literacy Month, and there are many resources available to help you with your personal financial goals. So make it your top priority to make the most out of it from here on. You should do whatever it takes to educate yourself while you are still an undergraduate and learn good financial habits. The advice you get from your school’s financial aid center and beyond are tools that you can take into the real world, which will save you money and time and help you reach your personal success goals faster.

So check out these 4 tips to learn how to meet your personal financial goals, including paying for the remaining college years.

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1. Apply for financial aid early

It’s best to apply for financial aid for the next school year early, so make an appointment with your financial aid center right away. At Houston Community College (HCC), our financial aid center has information online. Generally, you sign in with your student ID, and then your advisor will let you know if you need to submit tax returns or additional documents, such as pay stubs and a valid state driver’s license. Stay organized and write down what you need to bring for your follow-up appointment. You can either fill out the FAFSA form by yourself or with the help of a financial aid advisor. You can breathe easy once you’ve crossed this task off your to-do list.

2. Meet with a financial coach

When you first enter college, you find out that textbooks, additional technology courses, on-campus fees, parking, food, entertainment or other expenses can deplete your bank account quickly. But don’t stress yourself. Sit down with your college’s financial coach and learn how to budget and make wise decisions when it comes to spending or savings. Financial coaches are trained to help you with various financial matters. HCC’s financial coaches, for example, want to help students become financially independent. Check your college’s website also for resources you can access online.

3. Attend money week workshops on campus

Colleges are hosting financial literacy workshops on campus this month so find the ones hosted by your college and go to them. These workshops are designed to help students learn to better manage their personal finances. You will also have the opportunity to meet great people that you can add to your professional network. HCC is hosting seven workshops this month alone. HCC is also celebrating #FinancialAidFridays throughout April. HCC students will also have access to Houston Money Week, an organization that provides free financial education events to empower individuals and families to make successful financial decisions.

4. Learn about personal financial literacy on your own

Have extra time after a long day at school? You can read books on financial literacy or research the topic online. If you like to read books, Freakanomics is a popular book. You can also find informative articles on CollegeBoard and Entrepreneur.com. There are also many free online courses on personal finance at Khan Academy, Udemy.com, Coursera, and ALISON. You can also subscribe to podcasts, newsletters or blogs by financial advisors or entrepreneurs, such as Mark Cuban.

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So free up some time and make the most of National Financial Literacy Month by taking advantage of resources on campus and online. Your time will be well spent and your efforts will be rewarded. Start early, finish strong, and have fun all month long!