Throughout the semester, Financial Counseling and Student Services conduct multiple events and seminars to help students, including a FAFSA filling, budgeting basics workshop and the start of a First Generation Student program.
The FAFSA filing day, to take place on Oct. 1, is a come-and-go event during which students and families can come to receive help in filling out the FAFSA for the next school year.
Jordan Jones, associate director of financial counseling and student services, said a high percentage of students on campus fill out the FAFSA form each year.
“Everybody needs money; The application is very important and the earlier you complete it the less stress you will have going into the later part of the year,” Jones said. “This gives you the opportunity to complete it now, ask any questions you have about the FAFSA and be better prepared moving forward.”
The budgeting workshop, to take place on Nov. 12, will provide one on one help with student’s personal budgeting needs.
Jones said a lot of students do not learn ways to budget in school.
“It’s an opportunity to really learn how you can use your money to your advantage,” Jones said. “This is to help you know where your money goes and be prepared to let that money work for you.”
In addition to these workshops, Financial Counseling and Student Services is starting a First Generation Student Success program. They are currently holding meetings to discuss with students how they want the program to look and they will have an interest meeting on Nov. 8. During the next couple of weeks, the program will have an information table out for students to ask questions. The program is projected to begin in the spring semester.
Jones said he felt there was a need for a program like this on campus.
“It is a great benefit for students to be involved in this program.” Jones said, “This is not something every first generation student has to be a part of but we want this to be something they want to be a part of because this is all about getting connected on campus, finding the resources that are available for them and taking advantage of all the opportunities they have at ACU.”
