For Park University students, financial help is only a short walk or phone call away.
According to Valerie Jones, associate director of student financial services, the Financial Literacy Center at the Parkville campus has an important role for students that has been expanding in recent years.
“When this office first started, it was a one man office,” said Jones. “I knew we needed more resources if we were going to be able to reach the entire university.”
The mission of the Financial Literacy Center is to educate the student population about financial issues but most importantly to teach them how to borrow responsibly.
“We don’t want to see our students crippled with debt after they graduate from Park,” said Sam Taibi, financial literacy and default management coordinator. “So we’re here to offer them resources for any financial situation they may find themselves in.”
The Financial Literacy group offers a myriad of services. From answering questions about student loans to helping create a budget, the center is there for students and alum. If the center doesn’t have the resources needed on hand, they offer a connection to other community resources.
“It’s absolutely important for students to be aware of how to manage their money, and to make proactive money choices, not only while in school but after because money management is a lifelong process,” Jones said.
The Center has been offering resources and participating in student career and health fairs for the past year. This month, the financial literacy center will be unveiling its new peer-advising program.
“Money is a pretty sensitive subject and I know how hard it can be taking advice from your parents or grandparents, or any adult figures,” said Haley Russell, Park University senior and peer adviser. “The peer advisory program is in place to show students that they can talk to someone their own age with similar problems.”
Russell reflected on the benefits she reaps from helping her peers with their financial questions.
“I enjoy helping people budget their money and giving them the tools,” she said. “They need in the real world to use their money efficiently. I think that the gap between money knowledge students have when they graduate high school and when they get into and pay for college is an astronomical difference. I am here to be level with the students because not only can I empathize with the student’s needs, but sympathize with them as well.”
Russell said the center is an important part of campus.
“I think that the program helps students who need the money for school, and it is important that the school show that they can help their students in this way,” she said. “It lets us know that they really do care.”
After the large response from their first Credit Day, the Center plans to host another credit report day in November. Once a date determined, information will be posted on the Park University website and the center’s Facebook page. Monthly newsletters are also sent out to students to keep them up to date on upcoming events.
The center is looking to expand to other local Park campuses so that their resources are available to all Park students.
“We’re trying to connect with other local campuses and set up resources for our distant Park learners,” Jones said.
The Financial Literacy center is located in Mabee 800. No appointment is necessary and students are encouraged to stop by at any time.
“The center is a must for anyone close to graduation,” Taibi said. “We have information and tools for students about loan repayment options. They should definitely take advantage of our resources.”
