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CashCourse: Define Your Finances. Define Your Future.

CashCourse is a free website that provides easy access to a wide array of money management tools, links and self-paced training modules to put you in control of your finances. It even has a calculator to help you figure out how to become a millionaire! Check it out by visiting the website.

Financial Literacy 101

Financial Literacy 101 is a free online interactive course that will help you think about managing your money in a way that is relevant to your life. This course takes about 60 minutes to complete; you will learn how to create a budget, avoid banking fees, shop for credit cards and effectively manage credit debt. You will also obtain information on requesting and reviewing a credit report, avoiding identity theft, and getting a realistic look at post-college salaries. Best of all, if you complete the course, you will be eligible for a $500 scholarship. Get started by visiting taking the Financial Literacy 101 homepage today, and enter "MyMoney" in the access code box under "New Students."

Money Management Workshops

My Money Management workshops have been created to reflect the most current and relevant information on money management for college students. The information will empower you to make wise financial decisions while studying at Cal State Northridge and establish the foundation for a successful financial future.

Workshops are offered in the fall and spring semesters, and are presented in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. Students are encouraged to ask questions and participate in learning activities.

Current Workshops

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department is pleased to offer the following My Money Management workshops for the spring 2013 semester. You're welcome to attend one or all of the workshops. Students who attend five or more will receive a certificate of completion. Read more about the individual workshops and exciting door prizes by selecting the workshop title. Please don't forget to RSVP.

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Identity Theft
Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and know what to do if it occurs.
Tuesday, March 19th 1:30pm-3:00pm SG 100
Please RSVP

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Student Loans: Know before you borrow
Come and learn about the various types of loans, the process to take out loans, and repayment options to manage existing ones.
Wednesday, March 20th 4:00pm-5:15pm SQ 100
Please RSVP

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Understanding Your Paystub
Come and educate yourself on how to read your paystub and use that information to effectively manage your money.
Tuesday, March 26th 12:30pm-1:30pm Noski Auditorium
Please RSVP

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Getting and Staying out of Debt
Learn how to develop your own debt management plan to pay off consumer credit debt and find useful tools for evaluating and monitoring your use of credit in the future.
Wednesday, March 27th 12:00pm-1:30pm SQ 101
Please RSVP

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Basics of Taxation
Come and learn what income to include and exclude when reporting, deductions, adjustments, tax credits, and legal tax avoidance techniques.
Tuesday, April 16th 1:00pm-2:30pm SG 100
Please RSVP

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Money and Relationships
Learn how to talk not fight about money in a relationship.
Wednesday, April 17th 12:00pm-1:30pm SQ 101
Please RSVP

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Eating Healthy on a Budget
Learn how to buy budget friendly foods and get ideas for inexpensive healthy meals. Come hungry! Learn to make healthy snacks and eat while learning!
Wednesday, April 17th 2:00pm-3:30pm Klotz Health Center
Please RSVP

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The Financial Literacy Program is pleased to offer the above money management workshops. Plan to attend 5 or more and re-ceive a Certificate of Completion. For more information please contact: gayane.jerome@csun.edu

Peer Financial Mentoring

Peer financial mentors are well-trained and motivated Northridge students who are available for one-one-one sessions. They empower students to make informed money managements decisions and are willing to conduct presentations in classes, campus clubs, residence halls, sororities, fraternities and other student organizations on campus. Peer financial mentors are available to assist students with budgeting issues, credit card management, credit reports and scores, and identity theft. To schedule an appointment or request a presentation, please email peerfinmentor-l@csun.edu.

Mission

The mission of the Peer Financial Mentoring Program is to empower fellow Cal State Northridge students with basic money management information, help them develop the skills needed to control their finances during college and equip them for life's challenges after graduation.

Vision

The vision of the Peer Financial Mentoring Program is to impact more Northridge students every semester and help our peers understand the future implications of their finical decisions.

Why become a peer mentor?

There are many reasons to become a peer mentor. On a basic level, you will make friends, help others, learn to respect individual differences and enjoy the experience. It will also boost your public speaking and presentation skills, help you gain leadership experience, and enhance your resume or graduate school application.

Meet our Peer Mentors

My name is Tray Thompson and I am a junior at Cal State Northridge majoring in insurance and financial services. Since I was a freshman, I have been motivated to help others better manage their money. I have facilitated money management workshops for the EOP Resilient Scholars Program and helped my friends make better financial decisions.

I am a peer financial mentor and am just one of the many resources available to you. Other resources and answers to your questions can be found by selecting the various tabs on this page of the website. You'll find financial calculators, articles on money management, information on upcoming workshops and many more cool tools to help you stay in control of your money. One of my favorite tools is a calculator on the CashCourse site called Becoming a Millionaire. You can type in the age when you would like to become a millionaire and the calculator will display how much money you need to save and invest to reach your goal.

Saving and managing your money is not overwhelming once you have the knowledge and tools to do it. It is actually fun and exciting when you meet your financial goals.

In addition to CashCourse and Financial Literacy 101, there are plenty of online money management resources. The Center for Financial Planning and Investment, Bankrate.com, feedthepig.org, and mint.com offer money-saving advice and budgeting options. Check back here often as we post more relevant links and articles.

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department offers presentations designed to empower students and assist them in making informed decisions about money management. As a service to the campus community, the financial aid staff is available for class presentations. These presentations can be adapted for smaller time frames, but it is suggested each workshop run for approximately 30-50 minutes.

To schedule one or more of the following presentations, please contact Gayane Jerome at gayane.jerome@csun.edu. Include the preferred date, where your class meets and which presentation you are interested in.

Budgeting for College Students
Students will learn how to balance their income, financial aid resources and living expenses. They will develop a student budget by itemizing their expenses and resources, and create a flexible spending plan.

Credit Card Management
Students will learn how to understand the fine print on credit card applications, make the best decisions when shopping for a credit card and become responsible credit card users.

Credit Report and Scores
Students will learn the basics behind credit report scores. They'll also find out what impacts credit history and how to build, maintain, or repair credit.

Identity Theft
Students will learn how to protect themselves from identity theft and how to cope if they become a victim.