Campus Connection

Today’s college students are on target to face the largest debt burden for their age group in U.S. history. The Financial Literacy Program at UW-La Crosse is working to change that. Student peer mentors are teaming up with Financial Aid officers and other student service staffers to help students make informed choices about their current and future economic decisions. The “It Make$ Cents!” campaign kicks off with “Money Smart Week” Monday through Friday, April 23-27, to help get the message out about the importance of financial planning. Among the events:

• Monday-Friday — “It Make$ Cents! Financial Peer Mentor Outreach Table” where peer mentors can discuss personal finance with students, Cartwright Center main entrance. Hours: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday; 12:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday; 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday.
• Monday 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.- Peer mentors will drive a “Cash Cart” throughout campus quizzing students on financial topics while giving them a ride to class and a chance to earn prizes.
• Tuesday 5-8 p.m. – “Price Is Right Night,” a financial literacy game night centered around learning about various aspects of personal finance. Valhalla A, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.

It Make$ Cents! is the brainchild of the university’s Financial Literacy Committee formed to promote financial literacy to enhance students' understanding of personal finance and how it applies to their everyday lives. “Student loan debt is the highest it's ever been, so we felt that we needed to take proactive measures to help alleviate some of this burden and stress that students acquire when taking on substantial financial debt,” explains Aaron Knapp, Financial Aid Office, who helps coordinate the campaign. “The skills, resources and knowledge obtained from the program can help far beyond the walls of the university and have a lasting impact with students for much of their lives.” It Make$ Cents! aims to reach as many students and parents as possible about personal finance to help them make informed and smart financial decisions. The campaign has taken a multifaceted approach to convey information through the Web, including online curriculum modules, a blog, social networking (Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest), workshops, special events, and one-on-one consultations with financial peer mentors. Along with Whitman, the Financial Literacy Committee includes Louise Janke, Shane Van Dalsem, Abby Novak, Jamin Whitman and Guy Wolf. Peer mentors are Matt Heslin and Brittiany Morse.